Tokyo Zen Meditation at Private Temple with Monk

Zen meditation in Tokyo, at a private Asakusa temple that has stood for more than four hundred years and does not take visitors. A monk teaches the posture and the breathing, sits with you, then talks — through your English-speaking guide — about what the practice is actually for. Matcha is served afterwards.

• A temple over four hundred years old, closed to the public
• Zazen taught and led by a monk, not a demonstration
• Time to ask the monk whatever you like, with English interpretation
• Matcha served after the sitting
• Photographs with the monk inside the temple

1. Asakusa

   Meet your guide near the temple.

2. The temple

   An introduction, then zazen led by the monk.

3. Tea and conversation

   Matcha, questions and photographs.

We will meetup in front of the entrance of a Family Mart near the temple. It takes 2 minutes from Tawaramachi station, Asakusa Area (Ginza line). Your guide carries a Travel Japan Together sign and will contact you on WhatsApp beforehand.

• Zazen session led by a monk
• English-speaking guide for full interpretation and coordination
• Temple admission
• Matcha tea ceremony
• Guided calligraphy session
• Q&A session with the monk
• Photos with the monk
• Transportation costs to and from the meeting point

• You will be sitting on the floor. Wear something you can sit cross-legged in comfortably.
• Please arrive on time — the sitting starts together and latecomers cannot join partway through.
• This is a working temple, not a venue. Please keep your voice down on arrival.
• Your guide will contact you through WhatsApp before the tour, so please install it in advance.
• Plain Japanese matcha green tea will be served after meditation. If you have a severe green tea allergy or cannot consume matcha, or if you have any other allergy concerns, please inform your guide in advance.