Zen meditation Experiences in Japan

To study Buddhism is to study the self, to study the self is to forget the self.

Dogen Kigen (道元希玄)

Zen Buddhism is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. It began in China and was introduced to Japan in the 12th century during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Then, the Samurai, Japan’s warrior caste, were practitioners of Zen Buddhism.

The essence of Zen Buddhism is that all human beings are Buddha, and that all they have to do is to discover that truth for themselves.

The practice of Zen meditation or Zazen (座禅), “za” meaning sitting, and “Zen” meaning meditation in Japanese, is the core of Zen Buddhism: without it, there is no Zen. It is a way of vigilance and self-discovery which is practiced while sitting.

Experience Zazen in the quiet and stillness of a Buddhist temple or retreat, calm your heart and erase all of the negativity from your mind.

Most are offered in Japanese, contact us for professional Japanese-English interpreting.

Here’s some of our best pick – New sense of Zen

• Kinryuji (tokyo) – A Zen temple founded in 1611 by Tokugawa Ieyasu’s daughter Kamehime, offers a peaceful retreat in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Visitors can experience guided Zazen meditation sessions with a Zen monk, followed by matcha tea and sweets, and attend the head priest’s sermon.
• Engaku-ji (Kamakura) – Founded in 1282 by regent Hojo Tokimune to honor fallen soldiers and spread Zen Buddhism, Engakuji Temple quickly became a prominent center for Zen study in Kamakura. Visitors can participate in early morning Zen meditation (zazen) sessions, which start daily at 6:00 AM without a reservation. The temple also offers sutra transcriptions and lectures.
• Kencho-ji (Kamakura) – Founded in 1253 near Tokyo, is the first of Kamakura’s “Five Great Zen Temples” and a historic Zen training monastery. It offers zazen sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings. Behind the temple’s main grounds, following the path and stairways for 15–20 minutes leads visitors to ashrine, Hansobo, designed for protection of Kencho-ji. An observation deck here provides views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
• Kakubusan Eian-ji – A Shingon Buddhist temple in Kanazawa, Japan and a separate head temple of the Daigo school with ties to the Maeda family. Visitors can experience zazen meditation and the “Aizen Fire Festival,” where they can dress as Yamabushi and participate in rituals led by chief priest Mr. Santo Reiju.

And of course Kyoto, a city steeped in spiritual tradition, which offers numerous opportunities to experience the profound influence of Zen Buddhism. Temples like Hozenin, Myoshin-ji Taizo-in, or Komyo-in stand as enduring testaments to Zen’s importance, providing serene spaces for meditation, reflection, and the appreciation of its rich cultural heritage.