Activities? tag ?

Daisenin is a sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple, founded in 1509. It is famous for its Hojo (main hall), which is designated as a national treasure of Japan, and its beautiful dry landscape garden. There is a "Premium Zazen Experience Course" for groups of 2 to 6 people.

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.

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.

Syunkoin is a sub-temple of Myoshinji Temple that was built in 1590. You can rent out the Hojo, an important cultural property, exclusively for a special Zen experience. Zazen instruction is available in English. If you're interested, please make a reservation and participate.

Chionin Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect. Morning services are held every morning from 6:30 am. No reservations are required and anyone can attend as long as they arrive at the start time. I was allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the Mieido Hall, which is normally off-limits.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto's most representative temples. It's always very crowded during the day, but in the early morning there are fewer people, so you can visit the shrine at your leisure. I was the first one there, heading to the stage in front of the main hall.

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.

At Higashi Honganji Temple, services are held every morning from 7:00 AM in the Amida Hall and the Goeido Hall. No reservation is required. Anyone can attend by going to the temple at the scheduled start time. There were over a hundred worshippers, and it was a very grand event.