There are many temples in Kyoto, and some of them hold zazen (Zen meditation) sessions that you can join without making a reseravation.
Zazen is an experience that allows you to sit quietly, calm your mind, and experience Japanese spirituality. If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, be sure to give it a try.
Please note that dates and prices are subject to change, so please check the official website before actually participating.
Kyoto temples offering zazen – No Reservations Required
Nanzenji temple
It is the head temple of the Nanzenji branch of the Rinzai sect.
An early morning zazen (Zen meditation) session is held on the second and fourth Sundays of every month, and is open to everyone. The event is held from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM. From November to March, it is held from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM. Closed on the second and fourth Sundays of August, the fourth Sunday of December, and the second Sunday of January.
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Nanzenji temple (Kyoto) : Morning Zazen Session
At Nanzenji Temple, zen meditation sessions are held on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of every month. I practiced zazen in the large hall and in front of the dry landscape garden. I could hear the babbling water, the birds singing and feel the wind blowing, and it really calmed my mind.
Tenryuji Temple
This temple is the head temple of the Tenryuji branch of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism and is also registered as a World Heritage Site.
A Zazen (zen meditation) session is held in a building called Yuun-an on the second Sunday of every month from 9am to 10am. Even beginners can participate.
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Tenryuji temple (Kyoto) : Access , Tickets , history , Highlights
It is the head temple of the Tenryuji branch of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism and is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is located in Arashiyama, a major tourist destination in Kyoto. At the back of the temple grounds is a beautiful strolling garden with a pond.
Myoshinji Temple
It is the head temple of the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai sect.
Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held in the Ohojo from 6:00 am to 7:30 am on the 7th and 8th of every month. Zazen is done for the first 30 minutes, and those with sore legs can sit in seiza or cross-legged position. There will be a Zen lecture from 6:30 to 7:30.
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Myoshinji temple (Kyoto) : Precious architecture and Dragon painting
Myoshinji is the head temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, with over 3,000 branch temples. The grounds are simply spacious. There are many valuable buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties within the temple grounds. There was also a room for zen meditation and copying sutras.
Kenninji Temple
It is the head temple of the Kenninji branch of the Rinzai sect.
Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held on the second Sunday of every month from 7:30 to 9:30 am. In July, the event will be held for three days from the second Friday to Sunday, starting at 6:30 a.m. Closed in August.
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Kenninji temple (Kyoto) : Zazen in front of a dry landscape garden
Kenninji Temple was founded in 1202 and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. At Kenninji Temple, a Zazen (Zen meditation) session is held every second Sunday of the month from 7:30 am. No reservation is required, just arrive on time to participate. I decided to do zazen next to the dry landscape garden.
Kounji Temple
Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. You can participate if you arrive by 7:50 PM. Joining midway is not permitted.
At the end, everyone chants a sutra. English versions of the sutras (written in the alphabet) are also available.
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kounji temple (Kyoto) : Saturday Night Zazen Session
At Kounji Temple, zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. I happened to be staying at a nearby hotel, so I attended a zazen session. As I was doing zazen, I heard the sound of frogs croaking outside the main hall. As I sat there, breathing slowly, I felt very calm.
Zenkyoan Temple
It is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. Marici is enshrined here, and there are many statues of her attendants, boars, lined up within the grounds.
Once a month, a Zazen (Zen meditation) and sermon meeting is held. The event will be held on the first day of the boar. (In Japan, 12 different animals are assigned to each day in rotation.)
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Zenkyoan temple (Kyoto) : Mystical prayers and Zen meditation sessions
Zenkyoan is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. At Zenkyoan, prayers and Zen meditation sessions are held once a month. The prayer service will begin at 10:00, followed by a Zen meditation session around 10:30. These events are open to everyone and do not require reservations.
Daioin Temple
Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held in the main hall every month. It usually starts at 6:30am on the third or fourth Saturday of each month. (Detailed dates and times are listed on the official website.)
Beginners are welcome. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is recommended. There is a women’s changing room available.
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Daioin temple (Kyoto) : Morning Zazen Session
Daioin is a sub-temple of Myoshinji Temple that was built in 1603. A Zazen (Zen meditation) session is held in the main hall about once a month. It usually starts at 6:30am on the third or fourth Saturday of each month. No reservations are required to participate.
Mugekoin Temple
This temple is located to the east of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine. Zazen (zen meditation) sessions are held every Saturday from 6pm to 7pm. Beginners and foreigners are welcome.
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Mugekoin temple (Kyoto) : Saturday Night Zazen Session
Mugekoin is a Rinzai sect temple located to the east of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine. Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held every Saturday from 6pm to 7pm. Beginners and foreigners are welcome.
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There is a temple in Kyoto where you can receive zazen instruction in English. If you want a thorough explanation, please see here.
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Kyoto city temples offering zazen instruction in English
There are many temples in Kyoto, and some of them offer zazen (Zen meditation) instruction in English. Here we will introduce a list of temples where English zazen sessions are held. Zazen is an experience that allows you to sit quietly, calm your mind, and experience Japanese spirituality.
