Experience Zen meditation or sutra copying, and enjoy vegetarian food with monk

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2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Gokuraku Zenji is one of the seven temples that protect the Aso Shrine, and has a history of over 450 years. You will spend a luxurious time to purify your mind and body with zazen meditation, where you empty your mind and just sit and look at yourself, and with healthy vegetarian food made with seasonal ingredients and care for the people who eat it.
Although this is a famous temple with a long history, the monk will guide you very carefully, so even those who are not good at sitting on the floor or who have never experienced Zen meditation before can participate with ease.
In addition, the vegetarian food, made with plenty of local ingredients, is a gem in appearance, taste, and volume.
If sitting on the floor is not for you, you can also sit on a chair.

Example Menu

Main

a healthy vegetarian meal (shoujin - cuisine)

Dessert

green tea and sweets

Starter

Homemade plum wine, root vegetable potage soup

What's Included

Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We can also meet and dismiss at JR Aso Station.

OR
Meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What to expect

At Gokuraku Zenji Temple, the family temple of the Aso family, you can experience Zen meditation or sutra copying, and feel the time of the long history of Aso. After the experience, you will be taken on a tour of the Gokuraku Zen temple grounds with the guidance of a monk, and enjoy a healthy vegetarian meal made with plenty of local ingredients and home-grown vegetables. After the meal, we will enjoy green tea and sweets prepared in the Omotesenke style, and have a relaxing time. Finally, the experience ends with the ringing of the temple bell. This is a time to experience the history of Shugendo in Aso from over 1200 years ago.

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Aso Caldera Tour

Tags

Dining Experiences
Historical Tours
Art Classes
Lunch
Zombie
Zombie Slice
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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