See the World's Largest Hannya Shingyo Calligraphy

A casual chat with my Japanese friend brought us to Ryounji Temple in Hamamatsu on a Friday, and the visit was especially memorable. Here to see what’s officially the world’s largest Heart Sutra calligraphy, I left with a sense of calm... a refreshing change from the city hustles. The 4m x 16m artwork was done by Shoko Kanazawa, one of Japan’s most beloved calligraphers. She created this massive rendition of the Hannya Shingyo (Heart Sutra) when she was around 30 years old. It fills an entire wall of a peaceful hall called the Nehan-dō, which was built just to house it. What makes it more interesting is the story behind it: Shoko was born with Down syndrome and has used calligraphy not just as art, but as a way to express a kind of raw, beautiful spirit. The temple itself, Ryounji, is tucked away in the hills of Hamamatsu. When we visited, there were only a handful of people around. Zen influences abound - the asmr from the waterfall, the Zen garden, the tearoom, and the quiet stroll up to see the surrounding view and feel the breeze. No loud tourists. Just quiet, art, and nature. BTW, saw a brochure promoting their Temple stay too! 📍 How to Get There From Hamamatsu Station, hop on Bus #20 from Stop 5. Ride about 15–20 minutes and get off at the Yatazaka stop. From there, it’s a 3-minute uphill walk. We drove, and there's plenty of parking. It’s about 15 minutes from the town centre. The temple is open daily from 9am to 4.30pm, and it’s free to enter. #summervacay #hamamatsu