Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple　

This is an ancient temple of the Soto sect of Buddhism located at the midpoint of Myojinga-dake in the Hakone Gairinzan (Outer rim of a crater). The temple was established in 1394 in the middle of the Muromachi period and has a history of about 600 years. It is the one of most prestigious Soto Zen temple after Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture and Sojiji Temple in Tsurumi, Yokohama, and has more than 4,000 schools nationwide.

The founder of the temple is Zen Master Ryoan-Emyo, and the principal deity is Shakamuni Buddha. The temple is also known locally as "Doryo-san," because the monk Doryo, a disciple of Zen Master Ryoan-Emyo, worked hard on the construction of the temple. There is a legend that after the death of Zen Master Ryoan-Emyo, he turned into a tengu and flew away. Since then, he has been enshrined as the temple's guardian deity. In honor of this, the temple grounds store a giant iron geta (clogs with thong) weighing 3.8 tons, as well as other iron geta of various sizes, and Tengu fans.

The precincts of the temple are lined with more than 30 towers, including the main hall, and the 3km-long approach from the Nio-mon gate is lined with cedar trees that are more than 500 years old; protected species of the prefecture. The seasonal nature is also a highlight, with cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring, hydrangeas in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.