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Kyoto Zen Meditation Experience
This tour package is designed for those interested in Zen Buddhism.
For visitors who want to experience zazen (seated meditation), we would like to take you to the temple where we usually practise. The dates for zazen are fixed and 2024's schedule is as follows:
14 and 28 May , 11 and 25 June, 9 and 23 July,
10 & 24 September, 8 & 22 October, 12 & 26 November 10 December
(None in August). *Held in the morning.
Meeting Point
Hotel pick-up
- We will pick you up at your hotel and guide you to the temple. Meditation starts at 9 AM. So we will use the remaining time to introduce the relevant concepts in Buddhism as well as the temple.
Zazen (Seated mediation)
Zazen will be conducted in three sessions of 20 minutes, with a short 5 to 10 minute break between each session. You are expected to complete the full 60 minutes of meditation. After the three sessions have been completed there will be a sermon by the temple priest. As this is only in Japanese, on this tour we will be joined by an interpreter who will assist in translating the sermon.
Temple sightseeing
After the zazen experience we will have some time for sightseeing
Buddhist Temple Lunch
Finally before completing the tour we will guide you to a Buddhist lunch. A traditional lunch usually reserved for monks, this lunch is served in another Zen temple and is strictly vegetarian.
(Limited availability)
Approx. 6000 JPY per person.
Ending Point
Tour completes after lunch. We can guide you where you would like to go next.
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Inclusions & Exclusions
This tour includes your guide, a lecturer at a major public university who will give you the intricate details of Japanese buddhism. As well as an excellent Japanese-English interpreter who will assist with translating the sermon given by the temple priest.
The temple expects all visitors to make a small donation. It is completely acceptable if you only donate a single 100 Yen coin per person.
The restaurant price is also not included. A set menu will be approximately 6000 Yen per person.
Tour Important Information
This tour involves participation in real religious rituals. Please understand that you will be expected to be respectful and curious throughout the entirety of the tour.
Also, the availability of some or all of the tour is dependent on the schedule of the temples involved. We cannot change these schedules. Please be sure to read the details carefully.
**Please contact us in advance before booking**
This tour is subject to the schedule of the two temples involved.
We might only be able to offer a partial tour as a result, therefore please be sure to contact us before booking!
Important message from the supplier
I can guide you in other areas around Kansai as well, such as Kobe or Wakayama, if you pay my transportation fee.
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
Kyoto Tour Reviews
“Off the beaten path”
We traveled aß a family of three, first time to Kyoto. Eco responded to every question I had very quick. We met at the hotel and went for a four hour walk through Tokio, as requested throu parts of Kyoto that are not so crowded. Eco was very knowledgable, friendly and very flexible during the tour. He gave us a lot of Tips for our stay in Kyoto. We had a wonderful time off the beaten path im Kyoto.
