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“As a longtime visitor to Kyoto from Hong Kong, I wasn't sure if this Zen meditation and temple tour would offer me anything new. But this experience ended up being the highlight of my most recent trip. My guide Yutaka san was an absolute delight…”
Experience authentic Zen meditation, matcha tea, and tranquil gardens in a hidden Kyoto temple. A peaceful cultural journey for seekers of calm and tradition.
“I did this experience with my 20yo son. The guides provided a serene and seamless experience, and the monk and tea ceremony master and trainee created a memorable experience full of rich information and local context. Thankyou for your warmth and insight. I would recommend…”
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.
“I wasn’t sure whether to book it cuz it seemed too expensive for just 1:30h. But I’m very happy I did it! I have some experience meditating but always on my own, so this was my first “class”. The monk is so nice, very friendly,…”
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.
“We absolutely loved this experience. With our Sensei and our translator we had the most wonderful experience learning about Yuzen dyeing techniques. We were lost in time as we were so fully engaged in this activity. We can't thank our Sensei and Translator enough.”
Experience Kyoto’s iconic bamboo groves, meet wild macaques at Iwatayama, and explore Zen gardens on this guided tour designed for authentic Japanese beauty.
“Hele vriendelijke en lieve man. Vertelde over de geschiedenis en betekenissen van veel dingen. Maakte veel foto’s van ons. Het was erg warm, dus waren blij dat we water meehadden. We waren alleen met hem dus hadden eigenlijk een privétour wat heel chill was en…”
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.
“Our family of five (including three teens - 13, 17, 19) all loved this tour. Aki was a very knowledgeable guide and took many family photos of us at various stops. Our kids said this was their favorite activity in Kyoto!”
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.
“This experience surpassed our expectations of wishing for an introduction to Buddhist meditation. Brian, is an academic and cleric who introduced us more deeply into spiritual history and the evolution of Japanese religious practices.”
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.
“The lady was super nice and well informed. She explained everything as detailed as requested and gave us also recommendations for our next matcha purchase. The ceremony itself was very private as it was not done in a group but just for us! Amazing experience!”
Ten thousand shrine gates, tea poured properly and geisha lanes at dusk.