The history of EKŌ-Haus der Japanischen Kultur dates back to the late 1880s and is inextricably linked to the figure of NUMATA Yehan (1897-1994), founder of the Mitutoyo Corporation. Driven by a deep affection for Buddhism, this Japanese entrepreneur and philanthropist decided to spread the teachings of this religion around the world. In 1988, the cornerstone for the center was laid in Düsseldorf, a city not coincidentally chosen as the location for this unique project. Düsseldorf boasts one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe, making it a natural place for the development of such a cultural initiative.

The consecration of the EKŌ-Haus temple took place in 1992, and the official opening of the entire complex took place a year later, in 1993. This was a landmark moment for the European Buddhist community, as the first and only temple of the Jodo-Shinshu tradition in Europe was established. It is worth mentioning that in 2022 the center celebrated the 30th anniversary of the placement of a statue of Amida Buddha in the main temple hall, an important anniversary for the entire institution.

The architecture of the EKŌ-Haus complex is a fascinating example of traditional Japanese construction transferred to European soil. The main temple building was designed in accordance with the classical canons of Japanese sacred architecture. Characteristic elements such as the arched ceramic tile roof, wooden columns and beams, and traditional sliding doors and walls (shoji) create an authentic Japanese temple atmosphere.

Remarkably, many of the temple's structural elements were made in Japan by craftsmen there, then transported to Germany and assembled on site. As a result, the building retains not only visual authenticity, but also traditional construction techniques that are rarely seen outside Japan. The temple was built without the use of nails, following the traditional methods of Japanese carpentry, an impressive example of craftsmanship.

The EKŌ-Haus complex consists of several buildings, each with a specific function. The main building, known as EKŌ Hall, houses the temple and exhibition and seminar spaces. Next to it is the Kyōsei Hall building, which serves as a venue for concerts, lectures and other cultural events. In 1999, the complex was expanded with an additional building that houses a library and an international kindergarten.

It is worth noting that EKŌ-Haus is not just a tourist attraction or museum - it is a living religious and cultural center. The temple functions as a place for regular religious practices, and Buddhist monks conduct daily rituals and ceremonies here. It is a place where tradition is not just an exhibit, but a living, practiced heritage.

The architecture of the EKŌ-Haus is a fascinating contrast to the surrounding modern buildings of Düsseldorf. This piece of traditional Japan, brought to the heart of Europe, creates a unique cultural experience, allowing visitors to momentarily transport themselves to a distant world without having to leave the European continent.

One of the most captivating elements of the EKŌ-Haus complex are its traditional Japanese gardens, which provide the perfect backdrop for the temple and other buildings. These gardens were designed according to centuries-old principles of Japanese horticultural art, where each element has its own symbolic meaning and precise place in the composition.

The Japanese garden at EKŌ-Haus is an example of the karesansui style, also known as a 'dry garden' or 'zen garden.' In this type of garden, carefully placed stones, gravel and sand play a key role, symbolizing mountains, water and other elements of the natural landscape. A characteristic element is raked gravel, the patterns of which are meant to resemble waves on water, introducing an element of movement into a static composition.

The EKŌ-Haus garden also features a small pond with koi carp, which in Japanese culture symbolize good luck and prosperity. A bridge thrown over the pond allows visitors to contemplate the water surface and observe these colorful fish. Surrounding the pond are carefully pruned trees and shrubs, including Japanese maples, which in autumn delight in the intense red color of their leaves.

Stone lanterns (tōrō), which traditionally illuminated paths leading to temples, are also an important feature of the garden. At EKŌ-Haus, they mainly serve a decorative function, but are an important part of the authentic Japanese garden landscape. Each lantern has its own unique shape and history, and their placement in the garden is not random - they create landmarks and direct visitors' attention to specific elements of the composition.

The Japanese garden at EKŌ-Haus changes its face with the seasons. In spring it delights with blooming cherry trees (sakura), whose delicate pink petals create a magical atmosphere. Summer brings intense greenery and flowering irises, autumn delights with the fiery colors of the maples, and winter reveals the raw beauty of the garden's architecture, especially when a delicate layer of snow covers the stones and branches of the trees.

The sacred space of EKŌ-Haus centers around the temple of the Buddhist Jodo-Shinshu tradition, which is the spiritual heart of the entire complex. The temple is the only one of its kind in Europe, making it a unique site not only in Germany, but on the entire continent. Jodo-Shinshu, also known as the True Pure Land School, is one of the most popular schools of Buddhism in Japan, founded by the monk Shinran in the 13th century.

The interior of the temple is decorated according to the Jodo-Shinshu tradition. The centerpiece is the altar, which houses a statue of Amida Buddha (Amitabha), the main object of worship in this tradition. This statue was ceremonially introduced into the temple in 1992, and the 30th anniversary of this event was celebrated in 2022. The interior of the temple is decorated with traditional elements such as gilded altars, Buddhist calligraphy and ceremonial equipment used during rituals.

The EKŌ-Haus temple is not just a museum exhibit - it is a living place of worship, where religious ceremonies are regularly held. Visitors can participate in meditations, recitations of sutras (Buddhist texts) and other spiritual practices. Particularly important are the celebrations of Buddhist holidays, such as Hanamatsuri (the Buddha's birthday), Obon (a festival in honor of the dead) and Jodo-e (the Buddha's enlightenment).

A unique feature of the EKŌ-Haus sacred space is the tea ceremony room (chashitsu). The tea ceremony (chado or chanoyu) is one of Japan's most important traditions, combining elements of aesthetics, Zen philosophy and hospitality. The tea ceremony room at EKŌ-Haus was designed according to traditional principles, with a low entrance (symbolizing humility), tatami mats on the floor and a tokonoma - a niche where calligraphy scrolls and ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging) are displayed.

EKŌ-Haus der Japanischen Kultur is not just a place to contemplate and admire traditional architecture - it is a vibrant cultural center, offering a rich educational and artistic program. These activities are a key part of the center's mission to build bridges between Japanese and European cultures and promote mutual understanding and respect.

One of the pillars of EKŌ-Haus' educational activities are Japanese language courses, conducted at various levels. These classes are very popular both among people planning to travel to Japan and lovers of Japanese culture who wish to explore its secrets through language study. The courses are taught by experienced teachers, often native speakers, which guarantees high quality instruction and an authentic language experience.

In addition to language courses, EKŌ-Haus offers a wide range of workshops on traditional Japanese arts and crafts. Visitors can attend calligraphy (shodo) classes, where they learn the art of beautiful writing with brush and ink under the guidance of masters. Also popular are workshops in origami, ikebana (flower arranging) and ceramics. Each of these classes not only teaches specific skills, but also introduces the philosophy and aesthetics behind the art in question.

A special place in EKŌ-Haus' cultural program is occupied by the tea ceremony (chado). Regular demonstrations and workshops allow participants to experience this unique tradition, which is a quintessential part of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. During the tea ceremony, led by experienced masters, participants learn not only how to properly prepare and serve matcha tea, but also the deeper meaning of the gestures, movements and objects used during the ceremony.

EKŌ-Haus regularly holds exhibitions of Japanese art, featuring both traditional and contemporary works. Exhibition spaces feature ink paintings (sumi-e), ukiyo-e woodcuts, ceramics, textiles and other forms of Japanese art. Exhibitions are often thematic, focusing on a particular historical period, artist or artistic technique. They provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the richness and diversity of Japanese artistic expression.

Film screenings are also an important part of the cultural activities, presenting both classic works of Japanese cinematography and contemporary productions. These screenings are often combined with discussions and lectures to better understand the cultural and historical context of the films presented. EKŌ-Haus collaborates with Japanese film directors and critics, which adds to the substantive value of these events.

The center also organizes numerous lectures and seminars on various aspects of Japanese culture, history and society. Topics range from traditional literature and poetry, history and religion to contemporary social and cultural phenomena. The lectures are given by recognized experts, scholars and practitioners, which guarantees the high level of content and timeliness of the information provided.

A unique aspect of EKŌ-Haus' educational activities is the international kindergarten, which has been operating since 1999. This institution offers bilingual education (German-Japanese), introducing children to the world of both cultures from an early age. The preschool's educational program combines elements of European and Japanese pedagogy, emphasizing the development of creativity, respect for other cultures and social skills.

The EKŌ-Haus library is a valuable source of knowledge about Japan, offering an extensive collection of books, magazines and audiovisual materials in Japanese, German and English. The collection includes fiction, poetry, scholarly works, language textbooks and publications on Japanese art, religion and history. The library serves both students and scholars, as well as anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of Japanese culture.

EKŌ-Haus actively participates in the cultural life of Düsseldorf, co-organizing or supporting numerous city events related to Japanese culture. One of the most important is the annual Japantag (Japan Day), during which the city fills with demonstrations, workshops and booths showcasing various aspects of Japanese culture. EKŌ-Haus plays a key role in this event, offering a cultural and spiritual program to counterbalance the more commercial elements of the festival.