Private Zen meditation experience at a 1,200-year-old temple
3hours-¥28,600 / Per person
A private space just for you, where the priest of the 1,200-year-old temple "Jojuji" will guide you on an in-depth journey into zazen and Buddhist culture.
You are invited to a special Zen meditation experience at a temple near Arashiyama, one of Kyoto's most popular tourist attractions.
Built at the behest of the emperor and with deep ties to the samurai family, Jojuji Temple is filled with historical relics such as the "main hall", designated as a cultural asset, an Edo period pond garden, and the "Unryu-zu" painting of dragon and clouds by Kano Eigaku.
In this experience, the temple, which is usually closed to the public, becomes your own private space, where you can experience Zen meditation in the main hall, enjoy vegetarian Buddhist cuisine in the Hojo, and have the chief priest himself explain about the temple's buildings, treasures, and history.
During the experience, you can also ask the Zen master directly and freely about anything you are interested in.
What are the ideas of Zen and how can they be applied? What kind of training does the chief priest go through and what does he think about every day?
We hope that such an exchange will bring awareness to your mind and body.
Please enjoy a special time of zazen, vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, Sencha green tea, and conversation with the chief priest to become more beautiful from the inside out.
・Private experience
・Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Sharing Kyoto guide interpreting in English
・Local meeting and local breakup
What's Included
◎ Zen meditation experience fee
◎ Entrance fee
◎ English Interpretation
◎ Lunch (vegetarian bento and special sencha green tea)
✖ Transportation costs
◎ Entrance fee
◎ English Interpretation
◎ Lunch (vegetarian bento and special sencha green tea)
✖ Transportation costs
What To Expect
First, experience zazen in the main hall. Under the guidance of the chief priest himself, you will leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind and calm your mind.
Then, after an explanatory tour of the main hall, designated as a cultural asset, you will be served a vegetarian Buddhist meal.
It will be accompanied by Sencha green tea that has been prayed for at Manpukuji Temple, the head temple of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism, which is also the head temple of Jojuji Temple.
The tea was made as a charm to ward off evil spirits around you and to remove your inner demons (such as anxieties and idle thoughts).
During the preparation of the meal, there will be time to talk with the priest, so please feel free to ask him any questions you may have about Japanese culture or the spirit of Zen.
After the meal, the priest will explain about the Hojo and give you a tour of the temple, and you will be able to take home a red seal written by the priest in front of you.
Joju-ji Temple, which is renowned for its impressive approach lined with maple trees, is particularly enjoyable in May, when the fresh green maple leaves are at their best. The beautiful scenery, clear birdsongs and pleasant temperatures make it the perfect time to fully enjoy Zazen meditation!
*Tea will be served with the meal, but please bring your own beverages.
Then, after an explanatory tour of the main hall, designated as a cultural asset, you will be served a vegetarian Buddhist meal.
It will be accompanied by Sencha green tea that has been prayed for at Manpukuji Temple, the head temple of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism, which is also the head temple of Jojuji Temple.
The tea was made as a charm to ward off evil spirits around you and to remove your inner demons (such as anxieties and idle thoughts).
During the preparation of the meal, there will be time to talk with the priest, so please feel free to ask him any questions you may have about Japanese culture or the spirit of Zen.
After the meal, the priest will explain about the Hojo and give you a tour of the temple, and you will be able to take home a red seal written by the priest in front of you.
Joju-ji Temple, which is renowned for its impressive approach lined with maple trees, is particularly enjoyable in May, when the fresh green maple leaves are at their best. The beautiful scenery, clear birdsongs and pleasant temperatures make it the perfect time to fully enjoy Zazen meditation!
*Tea will be served with the meal, but please bring your own beverages.
Instructor：Mr. Fujioka Shizan
The 75th abbot of Jojuji Temple
Fujioka Shizan
・As a teenager, he became a disciple of Master Toshimitsu Yufu of Joganji Temple of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism.
・After practicing Zen meditation at the Zen dojo of Manpukuji*, the head temple of the Obaku sect, he studied under Naoki Sakakibara at Jojuji Temple.
・He became the 75th abbot of Jojuji Temple in 2014
*Manpukuji Temple, located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is the head temple of the Obaku sect, one of the three Zen sects in Japan.
Fujioka Shizan
・As a teenager, he became a disciple of Master Toshimitsu Yufu of Joganji Temple of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism.
・After practicing Zen meditation at the Zen dojo of Manpukuji*, the head temple of the Obaku sect, he studied under Naoki Sakakibara at Jojuji Temple.
・He became the 75th abbot of Jojuji Temple in 2014
*Manpukuji Temple, located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is the head temple of the Obaku sect, one of the three Zen sects in Japan.
Review
“We had an amazing experience at the temple. The Sharing Kyoto team was very welcome and informative. The highlights were the two meditations with the monk and the lunch and tea with a beautiful view on the peaceful garden. It was very special to experience all of this in a private setting without hordes of tourists.”
Details
| Date & Time | 10:30～13:30 * The start time can be changed, so feel free to consult with us. *In early to mid-November, the leaves begin to change colors at the temple, creating a stunning backdrop. This is a unique opportunity to experience the serene beauty of the temple privately before it opens to the public later in the month. |
|---|---|
| Fee | The following additional fees are required depending on the number of participants. For 4 participants: 1,500 yen/person For 3 participants: 4,000 yen/person For 2 participants: 9,000 yen/person |
| Capacity | 20 people max. Minimum 2 participants. |
| Who can attend | Participants must be 12 years of age or older. |
| What to wear | Please wear loose-fitting clothing. Please refrain from wearing skirts. |
| Cuisine | Vegetarian bento lunch box *Please let us know in advance about any allergies or food that you cannot eat. |
| Contact | If you have any questions, please contact us at E-mail：hello@sharing-kyoto.co.jp Phone：+81-(0)75-254-7485 |
Additional Info
・Please book at least 3 business days in advance so that we can build the best experience for you.
・Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
・Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. Minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before applying.
・Children under 12 years old are not allowed to participate in the zazen experience.
・Participation in all other experiences is available at a special price minus the zazen experience fee, but requires a person (18 years or older) to care for children under 12 years old during the zazen experience.
・If the number of applicants does not reach 2, the tour may be canceled.
・The experience may be canceled or postponed at short notice, or the content may be changed due to traffic conditions, etc.
・The experience may be filmed and posted on social networking sites or used in articles.
・We may share your responses to surveys and reviews on our social networking sites and media.
・Please let us know in advance about any allergies or food that you cannot eat.
・Please be careful not to step on the moss on the temple grounds.
・Photography of the main hall and Buddhist statues is prohibited.
(If you wish to take pictures of yourself sitting during zazen, please ask our English interpreter staff in advance.)
・Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
・Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. Minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before applying.
・Children under 12 years old are not allowed to participate in the zazen experience.
・Participation in all other experiences is available at a special price minus the zazen experience fee, but requires a person (18 years or older) to care for children under 12 years old during the zazen experience.
・If the number of applicants does not reach 2, the tour may be canceled.
・The experience may be canceled or postponed at short notice, or the content may be changed due to traffic conditions, etc.
・The experience may be filmed and posted on social networking sites or used in articles.
・We may share your responses to surveys and reviews on our social networking sites and media.
・Please let us know in advance about any allergies or food that you cannot eat.
・Please be careful not to step on the moss on the temple grounds.
・Photography of the main hall and Buddhist statues is prohibited.
(If you wish to take pictures of yourself sitting during zazen, please ask our English interpreter staff in advance.)
Cancellation Policy
・Free of charge if canceled up to 3 days before the tour date, 50% 2 days before, and 100% the day before or on the day of the tour.
・If the number of applicants does not reach 2, the tour may be canceled.
・Bank transfer fees for refunds in the event of cancellation will be borne by the customer.
・If the number of applicants does not reach 2, the tour may be canceled.
・Bank transfer fees for refunds in the event of cancellation will be borne by the customer.
Where you'll be
Address
9 Yamada Hiraki-cho Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
Directions
From "Kyoto Station"
・Transfer at “Shijo Station” on the Karasuma Subway Line; from “Shijo-Karasuma”, take city bus No. 29 to “Matsuo-Dairicho”, and walk for about 7 min.
・Take Kyoto Bus No. 73, get off at "Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera" and walk for 5 minutes.
From "Kami Katsura" Station on the Hankyu Line (about 10 min. walk)
・From Kyoto Station, take the Subway Karasuma Line to “Shijo Station” (transfer), then the Hankyu Line to “Katsura Station” (transfer).
・Walk for 5 min. from "Gion-Shijo Station” on the Keihan Line; on the Hankyu Line “Kyoto Kawaramachi" Station to "Katsura Station” (transfer)
From "Sanjo Station" on the Keihan Line
・Take Kyoto Bus No. 63, get off at "Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera" and walk for 5 minutes.
9 Yamada Hiraki-cho Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
Directions
From "Kyoto Station"
・Transfer at “Shijo Station” on the Karasuma Subway Line; from “Shijo-Karasuma”, take city bus No. 29 to “Matsuo-Dairicho”, and walk for about 7 min.
・Take Kyoto Bus No. 73, get off at "Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera" and walk for 5 minutes.
From "Kami Katsura" Station on the Hankyu Line (about 10 min. walk)
・From Kyoto Station, take the Subway Karasuma Line to “Shijo Station” (transfer), then the Hankyu Line to “Katsura Station” (transfer).
・Walk for 5 min. from "Gion-Shijo Station” on the Keihan Line; on the Hankyu Line “Kyoto Kawaramachi" Station to "Katsura Station” (transfer)
From "Sanjo Station" on the Keihan Line
・Take Kyoto Bus No. 63, get off at "Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera" and walk for 5 minutes.