"ZAZEN"-Zen meditation and Sake-tasting in Saijo, Higashihiroshima
Joined 2024
Tired of the crowds in central Hiroshima? Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful day in Higashihiroshima.
Higashihiroshima, famous for its Sake Brewery, originally developed around Aki Kokubunji Temple, established along the old Saigoku-kaido.
How about experiencing Zen meditation (ZAZEN) at this prestigious temple, surrounded by serenity and tradition?
After the session, we’ll visit a Sake-Brewery Street (Sakagura-Dori) and taste different types of Sake produced in Saijo.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Saijo Station
- at the exit of the ticket gates
Akikokubunji-Temple
Aki Kokubunji is an ancient temple founded in the 8th century as part of a system of provincial temples across Japan. It played an important role in the history of the Hiroshima region. They offer some traditional activities such as Zazen (zen-meditation), Goma(fire) ritual experience, Shabutsu (Buddhist image tracing experience) and Scented sachet-making experience. How about participating in one of those unique activities?
Saijo Sake-Brewery Street
Step into the heart of Japan’s sake culture in Saijo. Stroll along the historic Sake Brewery Street (Sakagura-dori), lined with traditional white-walled storehouses and towering red brick chimneys.
Let me take you to this picturesque district, where you’ll learn how sake is made and enjoy tastings at seven different breweries.
Ending Point
JR Saijo Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guiding fee
-Guide's transportation from home to the meet-up place and backward
-Admission fee: Sankeien-garden (JPY350p.p)
*Please cover the admission fee for the guide
-Activities at Akukokubuji-Temple (JPY2000~3000p.p: it depends on your choice)
Note: This tours requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate. For solo travelers, please kindly cover my activity fees so I can join you as a participant.
Tour Important Information
*Guests can choose their preferred activities among Zazen, Goma (fire) ritual experience, Buddhist image tracing experience, and Scented sachet-making experience.
*Before booking, please let me know your preferred tour date. I would like to ask the temple of their availability and vacant spots in advance.
This tour is NOT available in August.
Important message from the supplier
Weekdays are basically available.
Weekends are also available upon request, though, family matters are prioritized.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Keiko K.
Hello, welcome to my profile! I'm Keiko (Kay). As a national certified guide deeply passionate about the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this area, I am eager to share these experiences with you. With over 16 years of experience living abroad, mostly in Europe, I've had the privilege of immersing myself in diverse cultures and meeting incredible people from around the world. I'm sociable, outgoing and love making new connections wherever I go.
I'm also very active, enjoying sports like badminton, biking, jogging, and dancing, especially zumba and salsa. On top of that, I've been playing the piano for over *xx years, a passion that brings balance to my life. (The reason XX is simply because I hesitate to disclose my age...)
Health and nutrition are important to me, as is the same to everyone, and I love exploring new ways to stay healthy and enjoy good food!
Our itinerary will take us through some of the most iconic landmarks, as well as a few hidden gems that only locals know about. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient architecture, indulging in the local cuisine, or learning about the fascinating history that has shaped this place, I am here to tailor the tour to your interests.
Would I be a good fit for your company here in Hiroshima?
Warm regards,
Keiko(Kay)
Reviews
Richard M.
“Hiroshima Walking Tour”
Kay is an outstanding tour guide. From the moment we booked the tour, she planned the itinerary to meet our specific needs. She met us at the train station platform and guided us through the station. She is vey knowledgeable about the history of Hiroshima and showed us the places described on the tour. Kay speaks excellent English and made our tour most enjoyable.
Keiko K.
Thank you so much for your kind review. Watching how gently and lovingly you cared for your wife throughout the tour made me reflect on how beautiful such a relationship is, and how I’d love to have something like that too. I truly enjoyed our conversations — from topics about Japan to our travels in Europe — so much so that I almost forgot I was working! If you ever have the chance, I would be delighted to welcome you back to Hiroshima again. Warm regards, Kay (Keiko)
Kathleen S.
“Excellent and super friendly guide w/ individual note”
Kay (Keiko) did a great job. Really customized the experience. I'd recommend her 100%.
Keiko K.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly had a wonderful time with both of you. It was a real pleasure to see your genuine interest in what happened here in Hiroshima and to exchange our historical perspectives during our time at the museum. Warm regards, Kay (Keiko)
Anita S.
“Family Friendly Hiroshima Tour”
We feel blessed to have crossed paths with Keiko in Hiroshima. It was our favorite day in Japan! Aside from a visit to Peace Memorial Park/Museum, we enjoyed our other stops including the Castle, the Tower and Okonomiyaki. We moved efficiently around the city and she packaged a lot of history into a short period of time. Her humor and whit seemlessly hooked the kids into learning about Japanese-American history, etc. Her spirit and deep knowledge about everything Hiroshima is worth every minute and penny. Do not hesitate to use Keiko as your tour guide. We hope our paths may cross again in the future.
Keiko K.
Hello my dear, Thank you so much for your kind review. The time we spent together in Hiroshima was truly special, and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with every member of your wonderful family. I was especially impressed by how passionate both of your children were about learning the history of Japan and the US, as well as their earnest curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering new things. I wish you a journey filled with joy and adventure and hope that our paths will cross again in the future. Thank you so much! Best regards, Keiko (Kay)
$241/ per group
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