永平寺 is a major temple of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism located in Eiheiji Town, Yoshida District, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1244 by Dōgen Zenji. The name "Eiheiji" (永平寺) means "Temple of Eternal Peace".

Dōgen founded Eiheiji after leaving Kyoto and moving to Echizen Province with the support of Hatano Yoshishige. The temple started as Daibutsu-ji (大佛寺) and was renamed Eiheiji two years later. Emperor Go-En'yu gave the temple the name "Japan Sōtō First Dojo" in 1372. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate designated Eiheiji as one of the two head temples of the Sōtō sect.

The temple complex is located in a mountainous area and consists of over 70 buildings, including the Shichidō Garan (七堂伽藍, seven main halls). These halls are connected by corridors.

Key structures include:

• Sanmon (山門): The oldest building in Eiheiji, rebuilt in 1749. It is a two-story gate with statues of the Four Heavenly Kings.
• Butsuden (仏殿): The main hall, housing statues of Shakyamuni, Miroku, and Amitabha Buddha.
• Hattō (法堂): The lecture hall, where sermons are given.
• Sōdō (僧堂): The monks' hall, used for Zen meditation, eating, and sleeping.
• Daikuin (大庫院): The kitchen, where meals for the monks are prepared.
• Yokushitsu (浴室): The bathhouse.
• Tōsu (東司): The toilet.
• Jōyōden (承陽殿): A hall enshrining Dōgen's mausoleum and statues of past abbots.
• Kasaoka (傘松閣): Famous for its "painted ceiling room" with 230 paintings by noted artists from 1930.

Today, Eiheiji continues to be an active Zen monastery with over 100 monks in training. The monks follow a strict daily schedule centered on Zen meditation and manual labor.

The temple is open to the public for sightseeing.

• Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (entry until 4:00 PM).
• Admission: Adults: 700 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen.
• Visitors are expected to maintain respectful behavior.
• Photography of monks is prohibited.
• Visitors must remove their shoes and carry them in a bag while inside the buildings.
• Participation in morning services (朝課) is possible with advance notice.

• Train and Bus: Take the Echizen Railway to Eiheijiguchi Station, then transfer to a Keifuku Bus to Eiheiji.
• Direct Bus: Take the Keifuku Bus "Eiheiji Liner" from JR Fukui Station.
• Car: Take the Chubu Jukan Expressway to Eiheiji Sando IC. Parking is available in the town near the temple.

• Zazen Meditation: Day-trip and overnight experiences are available
• Shakyo (Sutra Copying): Available as a day trip experience.

• Eiheiji soba (永平寺そば): Buckwheat noodles served with grated daikon radish.
• Goma-dofu (胡麻豆腐): Sesame tofu, a local specialty.
• Abura-age (油揚げ): Fried tofu, especially from Taniguchiya.