Overview
Step into a serene Zen temple and begin a quiet journey into the heart of Japanese spiritual culture.
At Eishōji Temple in Kōnan City, you are welcomed not as a tourist, but as a guest invited to experience the rhythm of temple life.
Dressed in a traditional monk’s work robe, you begin with a gentle welcome through tea, learning the meaning and etiquette of Sa-Dō.
This moment of hospitality opens the path to stillness, presence, and mindful awareness.
A guided tour then introduces the foundations of Buddhism and the Japanese relationship with ancestors, life, and impermanence.
You will explore the temple’s sacred spaces and learn how spiritual values continue to shape daily life in Japan.
The experience deepens with Zen-Dō, where you take part in an initiation ceremony followed by a guided session of zazen.
Through breath, posture, and silence, you will discover a calm focus that invites reflection and inner clarity.
More than a cultural experience, this is an invitation to pause, reset, and reconnect—
a meaningful encounter with the living spirit of Zen.
Inside a Zen Temple: Welcome Tea & Zazen Guided by the Priest
Select the date & Reservation
Location
「EISHOJI」
46 Nakayashiki, Takaya-cho, Konan-shi, Aichi, 483-8083, Japan
Price
The price covers experience, facility charges, and taxes. Meals, transportation costs are not included.
If you require transportation arrangements, please specify your request in the remarks section of the application form.
Schedule
0:30PM Meet at the temple
ーChange into a monk's work robe "Samue”.
1:00PM Welcome Drink＜Tea Ceremony＞
ーOverall Program Description
ーKnow about Sa-Dō“茶道”
ーLearning the etiquette for the guest
1:30PM Temple Guided Tour
ーWhat's about buddism?／Ancestor worship among the Japanese
ーA new type of Buddhist statue, A New Type of Japanese Grave etc.
2:00PM Zen-Dō“禅道”～ Initiation Ceremony＆Zazen Experience～
ーKnow about Zen-Dō“禅道”(Zen philosophy etc.)
ーImmersive Experience for Beginners to Zen
4:00PM Change clothes
Dress Code
Please wear warm inner layers in winter.
At the start of the experience, you will put on the traditional work clothes we prepare over your clothing.
We also prepare tabi socks.
Please let us know your clothing size and foot size when you apply.
Payment
Payment in advance / Credit card JPY only
Booking deadline
Booking must be made at least 7 days before the experience date
Cancellation policy
・From 20 days prior to the experience date: 20% of the total experience fee
・From 14 days prior: 50%
・From 7 days prior: 100%
Cancellation fees are calculated based on the scheduled experience date.
Further remarks
Please let us know in advance if you have prior experience in Sadō.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, programs or workshops are subject to last-minute changes and cancellations.
If you are more than 30 minutes late without prior notice on the day of your appointment, it will be automatically canceled.
In such cases, no refund will be issued.