Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Experience authentic Zen meditation
- Explore serene Japanese temple gardens
- Savor a traditional Japanese lunch
- Learn about Zen Buddhist practices
- Discover Kyoto's rich cultural heritage
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided Zen meditation session
- Traditional Japanese lunch
- Visit to a historic Zen temple and its gardens
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
- Photography may be restricted in certain temple areas; please follow the guide's instructions.
- The experience involves walking; comfortable footwear is advised.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for meditation and walking.
- Bring a camera to capture the beautiful temple gardens.
- Ensure you arrive at the meeting point on time to start the session promptly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
- This activity ends near Chishaku-in Temple
- The itinerary states we will return to the meeting point, but the plan is to disband at the last shop.
- Leaning against walls or pillars is not permitted.
- During the zazen experience, you will sit for about one hour either on a chair without a backrest placed on tatami mats or directly on the tatami mats.
- Please refer to the tour photos for more details.
Traveler reviews
Mom and two daughters - zen beginners
Yutaka was a fantastic guide! We really enjoyed out day with him, strolling the grounds of Tofukuji, seeing a zen garden, navigating a meditation class and toppings it off with a delicious lunch. We learned so much about the temple and the zen practice of meditation - had we tried to self guide or take the meditation class without his translation and gentle guidance - we would have had a fraction of the experience. He took photos for us too! Wow. Thank you Yutaka!
Great Introduction to Zen Meditation
Mr. Yoshida was an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Throughout the tour he provided us with information about what we were seeing, paying particular attention to historical significance. Before the actual Zen meditation, he gave us a brief overview of what to expect. Inside the Zen meditation he once again explained the procedure and gave us English translations of what the monk would say. During the meditation he clued us into what pages of the handout we should read since the monk was officiating in Japanese Due to physical limitations, Mr. Yoshida provided one of us with a chair after finding sitting on the carpet too difficult. He also arranged for us to get a picture with the presiding monk at the end of the meditation. We learned quite a bit from this experience and credit Mr. Yoshida with making it an enjoyable as well as informative experience.
Amazing experience
It was really an unique experience. 4 hrs flew by and the host - Yutaka was amazing.
Experiencing and learning about Zen Buddhism
Yutaka was a wonderful guide and host! He was very knowledgeable about the area and history, he was very entertaining and friendly to all guests. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to learn more about Zen Buddhism and nearby temples and shrines.
Calming unique experience
Very unique, calming with tasty lunch