Zen Experiences in Kyoto and Tokyo: 12 Relaxing Workshops

Amidst the hustle and bustle of traveling around Japan, it is also important to take a break and enjoy moments of peace and quiet. This is where Japanese Zen culture gives you that much-needed respite and takes you into a world of unparalleled spirituality.

Check out the following 12 relaxing Zen experiences offered by the Japanese experience booking website Wabunka in both the traditional city of Kyoto and the cosmopolitan city of Tokyo.

Zen Experiences in Japan

1. Tour of Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple, with Cake and Matcha Tea Time
2. Zazen Meditation Experience at Daitokuji Temple, Kyoto
3. Fusuma Paintings and Zazen Meditation at Myoshinji Daioin Temple
4. Private and Exclusive Access to Kodaiji Gesshin-in Temple
5. Private Before-Hours Access to Myoshinji Taizo-in and Zazen Meditation
6. Private After-Hours Access to Myoshinji Taizo-in with Seasonal Confectionery
7. Zazen and Sutra Copying at a Temple in Tokyo
8. Zazen Meditation and Goma Fire Ritual at the Temple of the Shogunate in Ueno, Tokyo
9. Ikebana Practice and Meditation at the Historic Daihonzan Koboji Temple
10. Sumie Ink Art: Learn to Paint with the Spirit of Zen
11. Meditation and Matcha Green Tea at Kanshinji’s Kondo Hall, Osaka
12. Rock Garden Zazen Meditation and Coffee Time at Shiga’s Seiganji

1. Tour of Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple, with Cake and Matcha Tea Time

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Located in the Higashiyama area, near the beautiful Kamogawa River, the vibrant Kawaramachi street, and the emblematic Gion, Kenninji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple.

Many temples in Kyoto tend to get very crowded, especially if they are located in busy areas like in this case. For this reason, this plan offers a great opportunity to have the temple to yourself in the hours before its gates open to the general public, enjoying a special guided tour from none other than a temple monk.

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After finishing the guided tour, you will explore the Higashiyama neighborhood around the temple and visit the modern Japanese villa restaurant Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925 to taste matcha and traditional sweets.

2. Zazen Meditation Experience at Daitokuji Temple

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Daitokuji Temple is the head temple of the Daitokuji School of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. In this experience, guests can experience zazen meditation, a form of seated meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism.

In the practice of zazen, practitioners typically sit in a specific posture, often cross-legged on a cushion (zafu), with the spine straight, hands forming a mudra (hand position), and eyes open but lowered. The focus in zazen is on mindful breathing and awareness of the present moment. Practitioners aim to cultivate a sense of stillness and inner peace through this form of meditation.

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Once the zazen meditation concludes, you'll enjoy a cup of traditional green tea and a temple monk will be teaching you the spirit of Zen while showing you areas of the temple that are usually closed to the public.

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3. Fusuma Paintings, Zazen Meditation, and Matcha at Myoshinji Daioin Temple

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Myoshinji Daioin Temple, located about 30 minutes by train from the Arashiyama bamboo forest, has stunning fusuma (sliding doors) paintings that represent the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji periods (1868-1912). During this experience, guests will have the opportunity to explore the paintings with a knowledgeable monk priest as a private guide through the temple.

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After the tour comes to an end, you can also participate in a zazen meditation session with views of a beautiful traditional Japanese rock garden, accompanied by matcha tea and seasonal sweets. This is a great experience for those who are not only seeking relaxation but also artistic enjoyment.

4. Private and Exclusive Access to Kodaiji Gesshin-in Temple

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This experience takes place in Kodaiji Temple, located in the heart of Kyoto city, just a 10-minute walk from the emblematic Yasaka Shrine.

Kodaiji Temple is famous for its interesting history involving lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife. This tour has unique features as it combines tradition with a touch of modernity. Guests can enjoy a zazen meditation experience led by the temple's priest at Gesshin-in, a Kodaiji sub-temple that is usually closed to the public, along with a stroll through its garden.

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Optionally, guests can choose to have a seasonal lunch at a modern Japanese-style restaurant inside a forest, in an ancient mansion owned by a Taisho-period (1912-1926) businessman.

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5. Private Before-Hours Access to Myoshinji Taizo-in: Special Temple Tour and Zazen Meditation

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Myoshinji Temple is located about 20 minutes by train from Kyoto Station and is one of Japan’s largest Zen temple complexes.

In this unique experience, guests will have the privilege of visiting Taizo-in, a part of Myoshin-ji, before its opening hours. The person guiding you through the temple and its wonderful garden and organizing the zazen meditation experience is the deputy head priest, Daiko Matsuyama, a Zen priest active in Zen Buddhism around the world.

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This Wabunka original plan is an excellent opportunity to explore and delve deep into the world of Zen and to truly experience the spirit of Japanese Zen.

6. Private After-Hours Access to Myoshinji Taizo-in with Seasonal Confectionery

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If you're not an early bird but still wish to visit Myoshinji, Wakunda also offers a special plan for night owls!

This time, you can admire an illuminated night view of the temple's incredibly beautiful gardens and learn about Zen meditation and spirituality with Deputy Head Priest Matsuyama as your guide.

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Lastly, you can learn the art of traditional Japanese confectionery from a professional confectioner at the temple and taste these beautifully crafted sweets along with matcha green tea.

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7. Zazen and Sutra-Copying Written Meditation in Tokyo

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Moving on to the Zen-related activities that Wabunka offers in Tokyo, this experience stands out for taking place at the Soto sect's Misho-an training hall inside a hotel! The Tokyo Grand Hotel in Shiba Park is where you can practice zazen meditation while learning the values and philosophy of Zen.

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You will practice zazen meditation and the written meditation of sutra copying very early in the morning, emulating the practices of real Zen monks. A Zen priest will curate sutras for each participant individually. Guests can touch and play Buddhist musical instruments, usually used in Buddhist practice and ceremonies, but only under the guidance of the monk.

8. Zazen Meditation and Goma Fire Ritual at the Temple of the Shogunate in Ueno, Tokyo

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The Kan'eiji Temple Kaizando Hall (also known as Ryodaishi) is located in Ueno, Tokyo.

Built in the 17th century, it holds significant historical importance as a Buddhist site in Japan because it served as the family temple of the Tokugawa dynasty. Here, you will have the great honor of attending a goma fire ritual for protection from evil spirits.

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After taking a moment to relax your body and soul with zazen meditation, you have the option to practice some written sutra-copying and to receive a protective talisman inscribed with your name that you will use in the goma fire ritual.

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9. Ikebana Practice after Mind-Clearing Meditation at the Historic Daihonzan Koboji Temple

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In this exclusive experience, guests can practice meditation and learn ikebana flower arrangement at the twelve-century-old Koboji Temple, located near the iconic Tokyo Tower.

Alongside the temple’s chief priest or deputy chief priest, and unlike other Zen experiences offered by Wabunka, on this occasion, the type of meditation that guests will be practicing will be the Ajikan meditation. The Ajikan meditation is based on Indian yoga and, among the meditations of Shingon Buddhism, this one holds particular significance. The goal of the Ajikan meditation is to sense the spirit of the Buddha by merging with it.

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After this enriching experience, you can create a flower arrangement of your own with a professional ikebana flower arrangement master.

10. Sumie Ink Art: Learn to Paint with the Spirit of Zen

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This time, you can experience the wonders of Japanese ink paintings in a highly acclaimed and prestigious private atelier.

Once your instructor teaches you the brush techniques using authentic tools and materials, you will have the chance to try your hand at reproducing an ink painting masterpiece. It is believed that this practice thematically brings you closer to the spirituality of Zen.

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After this creative experience, you can admire some art pieces with your instructor. Finally, the staff members will prepare your work for you to take home on the same day. Thanks to this Wabunka experience, you will not only be able to sense the spirituality of Zen through art but also create a beautiful and unique souvenir.

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11. Meditation and Matcha Green Tea at Kanshinji’s Kondo Hall, Osaka

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If you are visiting any of the above-mentioned Zen experiences in Kyoto, we also highly recommend visiting Osaka for a special visit to the inner sanctum of the Kondo Hall at Kanshinji Temple.

This magnificent temple houses numerous national treasures and important cultural properties that are typically inaccessible to the general public. There, you can attend a sermon from a Buddhist priest, meditate, and learn practical spiritual techniques for serene self-recognition.

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At the end of this session, guests will have some time to drink matcha tea and enjoy delicious sweets in the adjacent temple study.

12. Rock Garden Zazen Meditation and Coffee Time at Shiga’s Seiganji

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The last exclusive Zen experience we will introduce to you is located at the foot of a quiet mountain in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. Here, you will discover the ancient Soto Zen Buddhist temple of Kyukosan Seiganji, nationally recognized as a special place of scenic beauty.

In this remarkable location, the head priest will lead you on a tour of the temple grounds and guide you in the practice of zazen meditation overlooking the garden.

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Then, you can take a moment to relax while enjoying a coffee freshly brewed by the head priest inside the temple’s teahouse. You will also be presented with a cute souvenir tin of all-natural cookies.

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Experience the Spirituality of Zen in Kyoto and Tokyo

Zen Buddhism has been a presence in Japan since Buddhism first arrived in the country around the 6th century via China and Korea. Zen has played a significant role in shaping iconic aspects of Japanese culture such as Japanese gardens, the tea ceremony, and even martial arts.

Therefore, delving into the world of Zen Buddhism means exploring the roots of the culture of the land of the rising sun.
Embark on some of the splendid experiences offered by Wabunka and immerse yourself in an environment of peace and tranquility.

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