"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
Jesus G.
“The best of the best ”
Our day with Kay in Hiroshima and Miyajima was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. From the very beginning, Kay was incredibly professional, friendly, and attentive. Her itinerary was perfectly organized, with excellent timing throughout the day, allowing us to enjoy every place without ever feeling rushed. Every detail had clearly been carefully planned. What made the experience truly exceptional was Kay herself. She is deeply knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about Japanese history and culture, and you can see how much she enjoys sharing it with her guests. She explained everything with enthusiasm, patience, and warmth, making every visit even more meaningful. Kay also went far beyond what we expected. She stayed with us until the very end, helping us with the station lockers, checking into our hotel, and even making sure we got to the right restaurant. Her kindness and dedication made us feel completely looked after throughout the entire day. If you are looking for a guide in Hiroshima, don’t hesitate for a second—book Kay. She is exceptional, and we couldn’t recommend her more highly. Thank you, Kay, for giving us such a memorable and unforgettable day. We will always remember Hiroshima and Miyajima with great affection because of you.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and wonderful review! It truly means a lot to me. From the very moment we met, seeing all of you smiling and waving so enthusiastically made me feel as if I was meeting old friends again. It was such a warm and happy start to the day. Thank you as well for sharing the photo we took together on Miyajima. Spending the day with your lovely family was a real pleasure. The summer heat was intense, but thanks to all of you, I had such a fun and memorable time. I’m also looking forward to seeing your little model grow up one day!! Please come back to Hiroshima again someday. I’d love to see you all again! Hugs, Kay
Amy K.
“Best day in Hiroshima”
Kay was an amazing guide for our multi generational family. She helped us navigate a packed itinerary very smoothly which was so appreciated at the tail end of our trip to Japan and on a very hot day. She is full of knowledge and answered all of our questions all day long. Grandparents and teenagers agreed that she was a highlight of our trip and we are so grateful to have had her as a guide in Hiroshima and Miyajima.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review so quickly! It was a very hot and humid day today, but I was truly happy to meet such a wonderful family. We were also lucky that the tide at Miyajima was low enough for us to walk all the way out to the Great Torii Gate. If the weather had been cooler, I would have loved to show you even more places, but we’ll save those for your next visit. I hope to see you again in Hiroshima someday! Wishing you a safe travel back to Canada. Warmest regards, Kay
Ali J.
“Incredible Tour”
Our tour of Hiroshima was one of the most meaningful experiences of our trip, and we owe so much of that to our wonderful guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and engaging, bringing the city's history to life with a level of care and respect that made a lasting impression on all of us. She struck the perfect balance between sharing the heartbreaking history of Hiroshima and highlighting the city's incredible resilience, beauty, and hope for the future. Her stories and insights gave us a much deeper appreciation for the places we visited than we could have gained on our own. Throughout the day, she was patient, attentive, and always made sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the experience. She answered every question with enthusiasm and provided fascinating details that truly enriched the tour. If you're planning a visit to Hiroshima, we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is an exceptional guide who is passionate about her city and genuinely cares about giving her guests an unforgettable experience. Thanks to her, our visit to Hiroshima will remain one of the most memorable parts of our journey through Japan.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and kind review. I hope you and your family have arrived home safely in the United States and have had a chance to relax after your trip. Thank you again for spending time with me in Hiroshima. One of my favorite memories is seeing your four children enjoying their okonomiyaki with such big smiles!!! I was also deeply grateful that even your younger, low-teen child took the time to carefully experience the Peace Memorial Museum without turning away from its difficult exhibits. I truly appreciate the respect and openness your family showed during your visit. Next time, I hope you'll be able to stay overnight in Hiroshima so you can explore the city at a more relaxed pace. I would be delighted to welcome you back and hope to see you again someday! Warmest regards, Kay
$215/ per group
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Step into the heart of Japan’s sake culture in Saijo, a charming town just 35 minutes from Hiroshima by JR train. 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. This tour offers a truly authentic and unforgettable experience—all easily accessible from Hiroshima.
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