What other travelers are saying about D.T. Suzuki Museum
Highly recommended to have a visit. We came during the afternoon and there was only a handful of people in the museum.
It is quite small and the entrance fee is minimal. However the experience was amazing. If you like architecture, then you’ll fall in love with the design and details put in to create a Zen like environment.
You can sit there and feel the tranquility. At decent weather the water becomes near calm and the occasional intentional burst in a single spot in the water creates constant water ring through out the pond. What these water rings represent is for you to decide.
Have a seat and enjoy.
So peaceful and a really great place to unwind in the afternoon after a long morning strolling around the main attractions of the Castle Grounds and Kenroku-en. Not much to see inside so don't expect a full blown museum, but inside there is a nice quiet area with chairs looking into a garden. Of course the outside area is beautiful too and most people are respectful of the silence. Very peaceful and a great place to reflect and meditate.
Scenic museum of famed D.T. Suzuki. Very calm and serene. The open lake is beautiful where you can sit, relax and reflect. Overall a very pleasant experience.
Probably not worth going out of the way for if you’re not into zen/philosophy. I wasn’t really able to enjoy it because it’s not something I’m interested in. Having said that, the open area with water was nice. The museum itself also was very clean and straightforward. One thing to also note is that there is a beautiful pathway directly beside the museum entrance.
The museum is a beautiful place for anyone who wants to learn about this important figure in Zen. I found the most information about him by looking at the electronic terminals in the corner, otherwise the displays were a lot but lacking for English speakers or one unfamiliar with this branch of Buddhism. They also have a little to library where I thumbed through some of his books. Obviously the contemplation space and reflection pool outside are a big draw and I enjoyed sitting there for a good 10 minutes. People are respectful of the silence. A bonus is a short walk behind the museum where you can see a more traditional green garden and pond.
