The history of Nanshuji Temple dates back to 1526 when Kogaku-Soko, the chief priest of Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto, named a small ashram in Sakai “Nanshu-an.” Later in 1557, Nagayoshi Miyoshi built a temple to hold a memorial service for his father, Motonaga, and renamed it Nanshuji Temple. The temple had been burned down twice during the Warring States period; however it was rebuilt by Priest Takuan Soho. It is said that Japanese tea ceremony statrted at this temple. Famous tea masters, Takeno Jouou and Sen-no-Rikyu also studied the way of tea at this temple. In the precinct are the graves of Sen family, which remind us of Rokyu’s life. The stone garden in karesansui style is a nationally designated fine garden. The main hall in Zen style architecture in which the principla image of the Shaka sanzonzou (Shaka triad) is worshiped, San-mon (the main gate), and Kara-mon (the gate in Chinese style) are national designated Important Cultural Properties.