/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15750/5a20aacf-13bc-4665-b9fb-a8562e911339.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15750/96f7763b-973c-451a-8181-b03fa3ccbbb4.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15750/ec1ca1bd-d45b-4a76-b630-c6103653cd91.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15750/71206dc7-78c4-47d3-981d-952bc476b2af.JPG)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15750/baa80d51-5db4-4dd0-afcb-9660fd182a5f.jpeg)
Kyoto Zen Meditation Experience
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/50004/80d7d121-bad8-4fc5-80e2-6eced78007a7.png)
Joined 2023
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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.
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
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
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Eco H.
Eco has called Kyoto his home for the last 7 years, and now he hopes to share with you all he has learned of this wonderful city and the surrounding area. Recent graduate with a background in Japanese history and religion, he is now a professor a university in nearby Kobe city. Therefore, if you are particularly interested in learning more about the history and culture of Kyoto he can provide exciting narratives to go along with visiting the delightful sites. Throughout his time in Kyoto he has been working as a guide for numerous organisations, including guiding around Japanese tourists visiting Kyoto, and has provided many with a unique view of the city.
Reviews
Isaac K.
“A Superb Viewd of the Imperial Palace ”
An awesome tour, well explained and with a fair amount of trivia. The cafe at the end was a real treat as well!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/50004/80d7d121-bad8-4fc5-80e2-6eced78007a7.png)
Eco H.
Thank you very much, it was a pleasure to guide someone who already had such a wealth of background knowledge. I hope you had a great time during the rest of your trip.
Susann L.
“4h Tour Highlights of Kyoto”
Eco has a very good understanding and extensive knowledge of Kyoto itself, Japanese culture and the various interesting contexts and backgrounds of the country and its people. It was a very good tour and I would definitely recommend him.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/65996/d0846c5e-8ed4-4eca-89ca-4e3775b643a0.png)
Rick W.
“A treat , well organised and knowledgeable tour guide ”
Eco Tailored a personel historical and garden tour that suited my needs , he is extremely educated gentleman , and a generous on local experiences Would easily recommend him tp tourist that enjoy the individual guiding in Kyoto Regards Rick Tasmanian
$513/ per group
More tours by Eco H.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13293/6fd8d548-a307-4bc5-99ba-761c20a0ce3d.jpeg)
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15749/851bba59-3bc7-4acf-bc11-68e193d616df.jpeg)
Kyoto Day-trip to Miho Museum
In this tour we would like to take you to the most spectacular museum in the area, the Miho Museum by renown architect I. M. Pei. We will ensure you reach this difficult to visit museum hidden in the depths of the mountains of Shiga Prefecture. As there is little language support available, on this tour we will be joined by an interpreter.
Kyoto Day-trip to Miho Museum
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13545/19b2ea74-f747-4d13-9145-ea6a5aed58f8.jpeg)
Nara History Tour
You can go in blind and simply learn as much as possible about this phenomenal city, where you will be provided with a good encapsulation of the wonders of Nara.
Nara History Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15304/8994d00f-0bde-48c9-b355-eb9ca3b5e855.JPG)
Osaka City Trip
Welcome to Japan's third largest city Osaka! A vibrant and bustling metropolis, the city is famous as a more rugged city experience compared to Tokyo. Known as the "Nation's Kitchen," Osaka is a city a history of international trade has shaped its version of modernity, offering a unique blend of rich history, cultural landmarks, and foods to try. Join on a journey to explore some of Osaka's most iconic attractions, and learn more about the dynamic energy that defines this incredible city.
Osaka City Trip
Other Popular Unique Experience Tours in Kyoto
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4561/89067.jpg)
Let's enjoy early morning Kyoto and maiko experience
Kyoto is one of the most popular places to visit, but so crowded. If you want to enjoy quiet Kyoto, I recommend you visit there early morning. In this tour, you can enjoy bamboo grove, morning coffee at a Japanese style coffee shop and beautiful river and mountains scenery from a wooden bridge. After that, why don't you try 'washoku', or Japanese cuisine and maiko, or cute apprentice geisha's dancing? My special early morning tour will give you wonderful and unforgettable memories in Japan!!
Let's enjoy early morning Kyoto and maiko experience
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/16763/87744.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/1318/28427.jpg)
Koto Lesson in Nijo,Kyoto
Let's learn Japanese instrument Koto at cozy Kyo-machiya house! Koto, Japanese traditional instrument, seems difficult to play and try for beginners. However, at Soushunan, the lesson by the professional instructor enables you to play one song in 80min.
Koto Lesson in Nijo,Kyoto
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/4677/29708.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12474/177081.jpeg)
One day bike tour to southern part of Kyoto, Uji and Fushimi
In this tour, we can visit all the must-see places in the southern part of Kyoto together. Fushimi, known for the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousand torii gates and sake breweries, and Uji, famous for its matcha and the Phoenix Hall, each hold a unique position in Kyoto. During this tour, I, who have lived in Uji for three years and now work in Fushimi, will share the charm of these two towns from a local's perspective, as we explore by bicycle.
One day bike tour to southern part of Kyoto, Uji and Fushimi
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/48232/5655c714-2232-4b28-8244-66b5e144dcba.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/20368/f7bf6138-b609-487c-86ec-31ae8a696f6b.jpeg)
Hear the Hidden Sounds of Demachiyanagi • Sound Walk
Kyoto rewards those who listen. From a classic shōtengai (covered shopping street) to sacred forest, we use professional microphones to capture everyday city textures and quiet shrine atmospheres. I’ll show you simple recording methods, then edit your sounds into a personal 'audio postcard' after the walk. Curious about pace, group size, or timing? Message me and we’ll shape it together.
Hear the Hidden Sounds of Demachiyanagi • Sound Walk
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/80943/db56b41f-a5f4-49d0-8cc2-8416dccae99d.png)