Zen and Meditation Experience in Kyoto

Highlights

• Practice hands-on Zen meditation in peaceful temple settings
• Visit Kōshō-ji and Manpuku-ji, two important but uncrowded Zen temples in Uji
• Experience the crafting, sound, and symbolism of a traditional Orin meditation bowl
• Enjoy Fucha ryōri, a refined Zen Buddhist cuisine rooted in mindfulness
• Travel at a slow, reflective pace designed for calm and presence

What to expect

Leave the crowds behind and spend a full day in Uji, exploring Zen through direct experience rather than sightseeing alone.

Begin at Kōshō-ji Temple with a gentle, hands-on introduction to Zen meditation, learning posture, breathing, and mindful awareness in a calm temple setting.

Continue to Manpuku-ji, the head temple of the Ōbaku Zen school, where architecture and philosophy reveal how Zen shapes daily life and where you will also enjoy a mindful Fucha ryōri meal.

Then discover the craftsmanship, materials, and symbolism behind the Orin, and how its sound plays a role in temple rituals and daily monastic life. During your visit, you will witness the entire process of casting Sahari and experience the very moment when an orin is created.

The day unfolds at a slow, welcoming pace suitable for everyone.