The zazen sessions in working temples: meditation taught by monks, hidden-temple sittings with garden tours and lunches that follow the monastery’s own kitchen rules. Twenty minutes of stillness in a 400-year-old hall recalibrates the whole trip.
Discover Kyoto’s Zen temples and gardens with a guided meditation, insights from monks, and a traditional vegetarian lunch. A peaceful, authentic experience.
Most Popular“This tour offered a truly unique experience. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through the serene Zen temples and admiring the beautifully maintained Zen gardens. A highlight was meeting a Zen monk who introduced us to the practice Read more”
Experience authentic Zen meditation, matcha tea, and tranquil gardens in a hidden Kyoto temple. A peaceful cultural journey for seekers of calm and tradition.
“The highlight of my Kyoto visit. Highly Recommended experience.”
Experience authentic Zen meditation in Kyoto with a private monk-guided session, learn about Zazen, and enjoy a peaceful tea ceremony in a secluded temple.
“Calm, informative and very smooth translation. Beautiful space!”
Discover Kyoto's Zen gardens on a private guided tour led by an expert landscape designer. Explore historic temples and gain insights into Japanese spirituality and aesthetics.
“Excellent tour! Andy shared lots of information and customised the tour to suit our interests. He stayed late to ensure all our needs and interests were satisfied.”
Discover Kyoto’s highlights on a 4.5-hour bike tour, visiting UNESCO Zen temples, enjoying a traditional lunch, and cycling along scenic rivers.
“Great way to get out of Kyoto and see sites! Biking is a favorite activity in any town/city... this was no exception! Loved the ride along the river, all the things we saw as we moved around town and out to the edges to see…”
Discover Kyoto's traditional art with a hands-on Yuzen dyeing experience. Create your own silk fabric souvenir in an intimate, authentic workshop setting.
“The activity was authentic, fun, and our interpreter was amazing! One of a kind experience and very intimate, you get to visit a traditional Japanese home and see the owners yuzen work firsthand. Highly recommend!”
Experience Kyoto’s iconic bamboo groves, meet wild macaques at Iwatayama, and explore Zen gardens on this guided tour designed for authentic Japanese beauty.
“Nabet did an excellent job taking us through the bamboo, temple, and monkey park. We got a nice walk plus facts about the history of the places we visited. The climb to monkey park is challenging but worth it.”
Explore Kyoto’s hidden Zen gardens, iconic torii gates, and spiritual sites on a 4-hour guided walking tour, perfect for authentic cultural experiences.
“The guide was amazing --- She explained everything so it was easy to understand and was great when we asked her questions about the history. Her route was full of interesting places and the beautiful secret garden was so relaxing. She really made it a…”
Discover Kyoto’s highlights on a 3.5-hour guided e-bike tour visiting Fushimi Inari, Gion, Nanzen-ji, and Kamo River with expert guides and stunning sights.
“Amazing tour!! Ryuto taught us so much about Shinto, Buddhism, and the history of Kyoto!! The bike ride wasn’t too strenuous but there were some hills. If you’re looking for a tour with a great guide and lots of interesting information, this one’s for you!!…”
Experience authentic Zen meditation in a Kyoto café with a trained host, mantra chanting, and quiet zazen—perfect for beginners seeking tranquility.
“solo female traveller here - wanting something different/new? do this!! it’s the perfect start to your morning. Uyesugi is so calm, informative and knowledgeable. He will guide you through zen meditation and then make you an amazing singleRead more”
Experience authentic Zen meditation in Kyoto’s secret temple with guided instruction, a tranquil moss garden, and a calming tea ceremony—an immersive cultural journey.
“Everything was perfect ! Appreciate the communication over WhatsApp to make it easy and efficient to find. Loved that we were a small group of 4. Our monk was INCREDIBLE! The candlelight and moss garden was everything !”
Experience an authentic, private Zen meditation session in Kyoto led by a Buddhist priest, with personalized guidance, traditional settings, and tea.
“I really enjoyed the afternoon with Brian and learnt a lot. I left feeling that I'd had an authentic experience that was different from the standard temples and tours elsewhere. First thing to mention is that it was much longer than expected - It ran…”
Experience authentic Zen meditation by a peaceful riverside in Kyoto, combined with a calming matcha tasting. Perfect for mindful travelers seeking tranquility.
Discover Kyoto's tranquil night visit to Keishunin Temple, featuring Zen meditation, illuminated gardens, and traditional tea in an authentic setting.
“One of the best activities that I did on this trip , worth it every penny!”
Experience a traditional **Japanese tea ceremony** in Kyoto with this hands-on matcha whisking session at a peaceful temple, guided by friendly, knowledgeable hosts.
“Sakura, our host, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She gave us insight into the history of tea ceremonies and made it a fun experience with warmness and laughter. Sakura also gave us plenty of opportunities to ask questions. We thoroughly enjoyed our Mochi, Matcha Tea…”
Ten thousand shrine gates, tea poured properly and geisha lanes at dusk.