Zen Meditation, Buddhist Sermon, & Matcha at Gokurakuji Temple

Kinosaki Onsen's Gokurakuji Temple is in a secluded part of town, and is home to a peaceful rock garden, zen meditation practice, and a friendly Buddhist priest.

Through this activity, experience seated zen meditation in a local temple while gazing outside at the tranquil rock garden. There will be a sheet written in English with instructions on how to properly meditate, and the Buddhist priest can show you how. The priest's sermon will also be printed out for you to read after you're done meditating. You can also wear traditional monk's working clothes while you meditate! Afterwards, you will be served matcha and local Japanese sweets. Try communicating with the chief Buddhist priest over tea, it will make the experience all the more rewarding. Take a glimpse into traditional Japanese life through this tour.

Experience Zazen, otherwise known as seated zen meditation, together with a chief Buddhist priest. Zazen starts with correcting your breathing posture, and originated in India. The doctrine of Zen Buddhism can be described as wordless communication, or expression without language. You can escape from hectic everyday life and open your ears to the sounds of nature during Zazen. Hear birds chirping and the wind whispering, sounds that you probably wouldn’t normally hear. Then your mind will soon have a sense of unity, which is why many people experience Zazen.

Gokurakuji is in a hidden corner of town, making for a tranquil area to practice meditation. Not many visit this temple, so you'll likely have the area all to yourself when you visit. The chief Buddhist priest is a friendly man who will show you the proper way to sit, breathe, and meditate. You may participate in meditation in your own clothes or in samue, which are monk's working clothes. Samue in multiple colors are available for you to wear.