Asunción CityParaguay travel guide

Templo Zen Shinozan Takuonji

Church

A Sōtō-school Zen Buddhist temple founded by the local Japanese community, at km 41 of the PY02 route.

290 km≈ 4 h 45 from Asunción
30 to 45 minutesDuration

What it is

The Shinozan Takuonji Zen Temple is a spiritual centre at kilometre 41 of Route PY02, in the San Valentín neighbourhood of Colonia Yguazú. It belongs to the Sōtō school of Japanese Zen Buddhism and was established by the local Japanese community to preserve its religious traditions. According to SENATUR it opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. It is a place of living religious practice: visit respectfully, following the community's guidance.

What to see and do

  • Japanese-inspired architecture
  • Living Zen practice
  • Weekend visits

Did you know…?

It belongs to the Sōtō school, one of the main branches of Japanese Zen.

It was founded by Yguazú's own Japanese community.

Tips

  • Speak softly, remove your shoes if asked and ask before taking photos.
  • Check whether activities that day limit visitor access.

According to SENATUR, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00-18:00; check before you go.

Best time: Weekends.

Activities

Nearby

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Museo del Inmigrante de Yguazú

A free museum facing Plaza de la Amistad about the 1960s Japanese immigrants who founded Yguazú.

≈ 1 km
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Yguazú (colonia japonesa)

A slice of Japan on Route PY02: settlers, vegetable farms, a Japanese carnival and hot-air balloons in August.

≈ 1 km

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A free-access waterfront for strolling, sport and watching the sunset; ID is requested to enter.

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The great shop window of the Triple Frontier: shopping, a cosmopolitan buzz and the gateway to Itaipú and the Monday Falls.

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Modelo Reducido de la Represa de Itaipú

A 1:100-scale physical model of the Itaipú dam, with the reservoir and the Acaray, Yguazú and Monday rivers, at the Visitor Reception Centre.

≈ 46 km
Verified · sep 2026

Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 1 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.

Sources (1)