"ZAZEN"-Zen meditation and Sake-tasting in Saijo, Higashihiroshima
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?
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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
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
Barbara B.
“Hiroshima half-day and Miyajima full day tour wirh Keiko”
We had two absolutely delightful tours with Keiko. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable about history and the two Japanese religions, Shinto and Buddhism, which were my particular interests, but she provided us with a wealth of information about anything we wanted to know. Moreover she is very polite, helpful, warm-hearted and can adapt the program very flexibly if necessary. We could not have found a more dedicated guide, thank you so much, Keiko Barbara & Werner
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. I truly enjoyed spending those two days with both of you. It was wonderful to see how much interest you had in Japanese culture and history—from the beautiful Shukkeien Garden, the children celebrating Shichi-Go-San at Gokoku Shrine, and the history of the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, to the hike up Mt. Misen and the religious philosophies behind our temples and shrines. I also won’t forget the relaxing time we spent together on the café terrace. I’m grateful to have shared such wonderful moments with both of you. Please do come back to Hiroshima again—I’ll be waiting for you with all my heart. Hugs, Kay (Keiko)
Hidetoshi H.
“Customised luxury tour for senior executive groups”
Keiko is one of the most cheerful and professional guides I've ever met with passion and full of knowledge in understanding various cultures outside Japan. I asked her for guiding our group of seniors who have different backgrounds from Singapore and Canada according to customised itinerary meeting our requests, however she was so helpful and supportive in organising such a tour without any hesitations. My friends from Singapore and Canada were truly satisfied with her guidance throughout the tour and especially detailed introductions on the bus with her perfect English explanations, it was sincerely appreciated and impressed by them. I really recommend her, if you are inbound tourists to Japan and if you need an English speaking guide with understanding of different perspectives and cultures rich in experiences of communicating with people from all over the world. I truly confirm your stay in Japan becomes one of your memorial visits, once you ask her to guide in Hiroshima.
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Keiko K.
I am truly honored to receive such a wonderful review!! Thank you so much. It was also a great pleasure for me to guide your party on a customized tour that went beyond Hiroshima’s two famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, giving us the chance to explore Hiroshima from different perspectives together—including visiting a sake brewery and an oyster farm. I am also sincerely grateful to you and to the group coordinator who accompanied us on this tour, as both of you paid such thoughtful attention to details that a guide working alone might not be able to cover. This experience has encouraged me to create more tours that include not only sightseeing but also hands-on experiences. Please extend my warmest regards to everyone who joined the tour. Thank you once again. Warm regards, Keiko
Uwe E.
“Sehr beeindruckende Führung ”
Mit Keiko hatten wir eine hervorragende Führerin. Sie verfügt über sehr gute Kenntnisse der historischen Abläufe und der religiösen Entwicklungen. Sie informiert offen über Traditionen, Sitten und Gebräuche, Land und Leute. Die Kommunikation mit ihr ist sehr angenehm, locker und gut verständlich. Jederzeit wieder.
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Keiko K.
Vielen Dank für Ihre nette Bewertung! Ich hatte gestern wirklich eine tolle Zeit mit euch. Danke, dass ihr mir so aufmerksam zugehört habt, obwohl mein Deutsch nicht perfekt ist. Jetzt beginnt meine liebste Jahreszeit in Deutschland. Die Weihnachtsmärkte, das deutsche Brot, der Käse, die Wurst, die Suppen, der Tannenbaum im Wohnzimmer und das warme Licht an den Fenstern – all das macht diese Zeit so besonders. Ich wünsche mir, dass diese wunderbaren deutschen Traditionen weiterhin gepflegt werden. Ich hoffe sehr, dass wir uns eines Tages wiedersehen! Liebe Grüße, Keiko
$224/ per group
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