Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

Discover Zen at Tofukuji Temple: Meditate, explore serene gardens, and savor a traditional lunch. Immerse in Kyoto’s rich Zen heritage.

Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 15-chōme-795 Honmachi - Engage in Zen meditation at one of Kyoto’s five prominent Zen temples.
    Learn the art of zazen or Zen meditation from a local expert.
    Explore the Zen garden (dry landscape garden) with insightful commentary from a guide and embrace the serenity.
    Savor traditional vegetarian cuisine that has been served by Zen monks for centuries.
What's Included
  • 4.5 hrs with a local guide
  • Entrance fee of all venues we will visit
  • Zazen Meditation Experience (1 hour)
  • Sho-jin Buddhist Vegan Lunch
  • Photos during a tour
What's Not Included
  • Extra food and drinks
Additional Information

What comes to mind when you think of Zen? Before engaging in Zen meditation, a local guide will lead you to a garden where you can immerse yourself in the essence of Zen.

“Zen” is an inherently esoteric Buddhist concept, even for the Japanese. While the word “Zen” may conjure thoughts of Zen meditation, this tour will initially guide you to a garden imbued with Zen principles. Amidst the tranquil setting of the Zen garden, a local guide will provide you with fundamental information on how to appreciate both the garden and the practice of Zen meditation. Visit Tofukuji Zen Temple, one of the five Great Zen Temples in Kyoto, and partake in a Zen meditation experience.

We will then proceed to Tofukuji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples in Kyoto. Tofukuji boasts a rich history, serving as a residence and Zen practice site for monks since the 13th century. Following this exploration, we will make our way to a smaller temple within Tofuku-ji dedicated to zazen practice.

  • The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
  • Anyone over 12 years can join this tour
  • Those who booked a tour starting from 10:45, the lunch time would be 14:15 (after meditation experience), so please have enough breakfast or brunch.
  • Out of respect for other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time.
  • You will not be able to join the tour, get refund or rescheduled if you are late for the tour and missed the group.
  • Since other guests will be participating in the zazen experience, private conversations are generally prohibited. During this time, you will be given materials that can be read silently.
  • Please note that we are unable to guarantee allergy-free or cater to dietary restrictions as the food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to MagicalTrip. Additionally, there may be instances where substitutions are not possible at certain stops; however, we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.
  • Summer in Japan is very hot and humid, so we recommend that you bring water and wear a hat to prevent heat stroke.
Location
12-chōme-232 Honmachi
Outside of Tofukuji Station EXIT 2, Next to the Family Mart [From Kyoto stn. to Tofukuji stn.] JR line:You can use both rapid trains and local trains. [From Shijyo keihan to Tofukuji station] Keihan line : You can use sub-express, semi express and local trains. Please DO NOT USE express trains.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(66 Ratings)
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Rodrigodv7540lg
Jul 29, 2024
Amazing, I recommend it - It was an amazing experience, it had everything I expected and Hikari explained all very well and helped us have a great time, she was very kind, thanks!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigator57473763142
Jul 22, 2024
What an experience! - Incredible visit today - Yutaka is very personable and knowledgeable about each stop on the tour! Highlight of my trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Baturegermany
Jul 19, 2024
Zen Tour: Embracing Emptiness - The guide Yutaka—who was dynamic, inquisitive, and helpful—made the Zen tour fantastic. This is off the beaten track— which is hard to do in Kyoto— tour. The focus is the teaching, aesthetic, and practice of Zen Buddhism. First you visit and enjoy a Zen temple and garden to calm yourself. Second you attend an hour-long Zazen—meditative prayer training. Yutaka provided us a well-done English explanation of the class to include the process of receiving a Keisaku strike or slight slap on back with wooden stick if you loose concentration (this is only if you feel you need it!). Yutaka took note of several of our questions, and following the Zazen session, we spoke with the Buddhist monk who graciously explained the Zen concept of Ku or emptiness. The monk also explained his daily prayer routine. The tour finished with a vegetarian lunch at a larger temple. The tour is a must for discovering the new or furthering a path already begun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I5630lwtaylors
Jul 14, 2024
Wonderful Experience - Yutaka Yoshida was an amazing tour guide! He made the experience very wonderful and helped make us feel welcomed in Japan. The meditation was very relaxing and educational, everything was explained exceptionally. I would highly recommend.
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Andyle819ad
Jul 14, 2024
Highly recommend. A unique experience for a mind of peace. - The tour guide Peco was very nice. It was raining hard and we were slow, so it took her maybe an extra hour than planed to show us everything. But she was patient. She speaks fluent English and explains Zen culture very well. The priest in the temple was gentle, sharp, and knowledgeable. We were able to ask him some questions after the meditation session. Prepare your questions! The veggie lunch was awesome, the best meal I had in Tokyo! Very unique experience. The trip requires a good amount of walking. You visit several sub-temples and walk through non-tourist neighborhoods of Kyoto, very fun!
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Pigletmama
Jul 8, 2024
pleasant knowledgeable local tour - Yutaka is really friendly, can speak very well English and give out the tour to the level you anticipated. The sub-garden he brought us too is beautiful and tranquil. And the vegi lunch is just delicious. Compacted tour with 4 to 5 hours, but cover a lot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
207taliav
Jul 1, 2024
Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour - My favourite tour so far! Moeka is super friendly and an amazing guide, the meditation was very interesting and I learned a lot. Thank you!
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702satishk
Jul 1, 2024
Zen experience in Kyoto - It was a fantastic Zen Meditation your by our lovely guide Moeka. She is very knowledgeable on the local area. She explained very well and took the tour in a nice manner. Don't miss this gem of a tour in Kyoto.
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B4801dugiorgiar
Jun 30, 2024
Lovely experience - We had Tammy as our tour guide and she was great, even lent us her umbrella! I got this experience for my boyfriend for his birthday and it was really lovely. Only 3 of us in the group so felt really nice and intimate, they were great at helping out with the Japanese during the Zen mediation and very cool getting to chat with the monk afterwards.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
260grantr
Jun 25, 2024
Great Tour with Peco! - Peco is an amazing tour guide. We really enjoyed her energy and enthusiasm. The tour was very insightful, and we enjoyed everything! My family and I learned a lot and would highly recommend.
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