Japanese culture

Handcrafting

Tokyo

great for team building

Deep Japanese experience: ZEN sutra copying experience in a quiet, traditional temple in Tokyo, led by a priest

Experience sutra copying (Shakyo), a practice of hand-copying Buddhist Sutras, and find peace of mind at a quiet temple surrounded by lush green.

Shakyo has long been part of religious training for Buddhist monks, but has recently become a popular means of "active Zen meditation" even among non-Buddhists.

If you are looking to have a deeper cultural experience in Tokyo than simply visiting popular tourist attractions, or trying general experiences, this is a perfect choice.

First, you'll try out reading a simple Sutra in the main temple hall, which will help get you in the right frame of mind. After that the priest will deliver a short sermon.

Then, we'll head to the guest house where your Shakyo experience commences. Rub an ink stick to produce ink, focus your mind, and put your heart into each stroke of the brush to hand-copy Sutras. A stool will be provided for those who have difficulty sitting on the heels, so don’t hesitate to ask for it.

After the Shakyo session, let's have a fun chat while enjoying some Japanese tea and snacks.

You can also enjoy a stroll through the stunning gardens of the grounds and visit cultural assets.

Duration: About 90 min.
Location, Instructor: All the temples where this experience is available are not ‘commercial type temples’, but are ordinally traditional ones, and the spiritual and living center of the local Japanese people.
Detail will be informed, after making the reservation.

Site A. One of the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo with over 1300 years history.
This temple is surrounded by beautiful green, and located about 40 minutes from Shinjuku by train and bus.
The temple's priest is the 91st generation head priest of "Tendai sect", and also a licensed "Omotesenke Tea Ceremony Instructor".

Site B. Located in a very popular tourist spot, named "Yanesen", a beautiful small temple.
The temple's priest is the brother of the 91st generation head priest as above. When he was young, he became a champion of professional boxer, and after that he entered Buddhist priesthood.

Site C. Located in a popular expat residential area "Hiroo", a beautiful small temple. Tea room is a registered tangible cultural property.
What's Included: ・Experience fee
・Facility usage fee
・Ink and paper costs
・Material cost of Japanese tea and snacks
・Consumption tax
Notes: 1. Those under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a guardian
2. Those who are unwell or under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to participate(and no refund)
3. Even if you are late, this program will be ended as originally scheduled time (you may not be able to experience all or part of the experience at our discretion)
4. Those who wish to enter the venue without participating in this program are also required to pay an additional fee, which must be indicated at the time of request (those who have not paid in advance will not be admitted to the venue)
5. This experience must be booked for a minimum of two people (if you join alone, please pay for two).

Reviews

Shingology 2020/2

Tour was exceptional! Try this if you want to experience Zen Buddhism in Japan. I had the help of a interpreter, a very cheerful, patient and friendly interpreter to help me out with the tour. She waited for me even though I was late, and was really a expert in her field. She tries her very best to help me and we really got along very well! Tea and sweets were given as a small treat after the session and I had the opportunity to ask questions to the monk. She really helped to get my questions across to the monk as accurate as possible. She still also walked me and back and to the station, ensuring that I was really well taken care of.

Thank you so much, I hope we cross paths again! :)