Tokyo Zen Meditation at Private Temple with Monk
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Tokyo, Japan
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy a calming spiritual escape within Tokyo. Conveniently located within the city, experience Zen meditation at a temple that isn’t open to the general public. Learn about Japanese culture as a monk teaches you about the principles and techniques of seated meditation. After you practice meditating yourself, enjoy a matcha tea ceremony.
- Rare opportunity to engage and speak with a monk
- Visit a hidden temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, with a history spanning over 400 years
- Capture memorable photographs within the temple
- Have an authentic Zen experience in Japan even if you don’t speak Japanese
What's Included
- SnacksWe will have matcha tea
- Zen Experience
- Entrance ticket
- Pictures with Monk
- English speaking guide
- Private transportation
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Japan, 111-0042 Tokyo, Taito City, Kotobuki, 2-chōme1１３ 偕楽ビルディング
We will meetup in front of Family Mart (2 chome-1-13, Kotobuki, Taito City, Tokyo) We will meetup in front of the entrance of Family Mart. It takes 2 min from Tawaramachi station, Asakusa Area (Ginza line). There're 2 branches in this area, so please take care not to go to the incorrect branch.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Kinryu-ji Temple
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 225 reviews
Michael_D, Apr 2026
This one was the best experience!!!!!! We were so lucky we picked the right one and had the wonderful Tamami as our guide. No only was she friendly and helpful, after our experience with the zen Buddhist, she literally walk us to Bandai and showed us where goku was, told us to message her throughout the day, and sent through local shops for things we were looking for. And as for the zen monk experience it was beautiful and amazing!!!! Highly recommend getting hit with the stick! Our zen teacher was helpful and super friendly
Matthew_J, Apr 2026
The experience of meeting and meditating with a Zen Buddhist monk was exceptional and unexpectedly impactful for our entire family. It offered a rare opportunity to slow down and engage with a meaningful aspect of Japanese culture in a way that was both accessible and authentic. My 5- and 11-year-old were interested throughout, particularly during the guided meditation, which was introduced in a clear and approachable manner. The tracing (mindfulness) portion was a highlight, giving the kids a hands-on way to connect with the practice, and they took real pride in their work. The matcha experience was equally well done, adding a calm and reflective close to the session. The monk was patient, warm, and skilled at working with children, creating an environment that felt respectful but not intimidating. The pacing was thoughtful and appropriate. This is an excellent, grounding experience that stays with you. Highly recommended.
Edith_Y, Apr 2026
This was a very nice excursion. The women were wonderful and they took their time showing you the tradition of the tea ceremony. You are able to wear a Kimono but pictures are limited to the area inside.
Emily_K, Mar 2026
Unique experience to learn meditation from a monk and to ask questions. Very nice host. Would recommend this experience.
David_Z, Mar 2026
The host was super friendly and had great energy super early in the morning, great way to start the morning!
Joanna_M, Mar 2026
Great experience, lovely guide and monk. Would highly recommend for a unique experience while visiting Japan.
H_L, Feb 2026
An inspiring Zen experience in the heart of Tokyo. In just 1.5 hours, we learned about Zen history, practiced meditation, experienced calligraphy as a meditation, and enjoyed an introduction to the tea ceremony. Despite being in the middle of the city, the temple felt incredibly peaceful. The monk was warm and welcoming, and our wonderful guide Tamami explained everything clearly with humor and care, even helping with photos. Truly memorable — highly recommend!
Cole_S, Feb 2026
Amazing experience! Thank you so much for the guided meditation, calligraphy lesson, and tea. What a lovely time.
Michael_M, Feb 2026
This was a top notch experience and I would highly recommend it. It was a small group, and the guides were so eager to share their religion and practices and answer questions.
Saba_R, Jan 2026
Beautiful well curated and organized ninety minutes with meditation with a monk , calligraphy and insightful discussion. Our guide was a great facilitator. Thanks
Jaime_D, Dec 2025
Meeting spot was very easy to access, our tour guide provided interesting history of Zen Buddhism. We completed a Japanese Zen Meditation, Tea ceremony and calligraphy with formal prayer. Both tour guide and monk we met were very kind.
Jeff_K, Dec 2025
I just returned from the most peaceful and profound morning at a beautiful temple in Tokyo with the Tokyo Zen Meditation experience.
A huge part of what made this experience so special was our wonderful guide, Tamami. She was absolutely fantastic; patient, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable about Zen practice and Japanese culture. Her English was flawless, and she translated everything the monk said in real time with such warmth and clarity that I never felt lost, even during the Japanese portions. Tamami has a gentle, reassuring presence that instantly puts you at ease, no matter how new you are to meditation. She answered all our questions thoughtfully and even shared personal insights that made the whole practice feel deeper and more meaningful.
I left feeling completely refreshed, and centered. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have a regular meditation practice, this is something everyone should experience in Tokyo.
Thank you, Tamami, and thank you to the entire team for creating such a memorable, heart-opening morning. I’ll carry this peace with me for a long time. Highly, highly recommend!
Azhar_D, Nov 2025
This was a wonderful look into a private Zen Buddhist temple. The guide and the monk himself were very kind and generous in their explanations
AMANDA_M, Oct 2025
It was very interesting. Three sessions with the hour and a half experience: meditation instruction and practice, copying sutras as meditation then tea and sweets during an open Q&A. The monk was open to any question regardless of whether or not it was meditation related. My husband and I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
Sharlene_s, Oct 2025
This was one of the most profound and beautifully unique experiences of my entire trip to Japan. From the moment we arrived, every detail was handled with grace and authenticity. Our English-speaking guide was exceptional — articulate, warm, and deeply knowledgeable. She made the entire experience feel effortless while also explaining the cultural and spiritual meaning behind each ritual with great respect.
Meeting the monk was an absolute privilege. His calm presence and gentle humor made the Zen philosophy come alive in such a human, approachable way. Listening to him speak about mindfulness and inner balance while seated in a centuries-old temple was something I’ll never forget.
The calligraphy session was equally special — an artistic meditation in itself. Learning to write with such deliberate care, feeling the brush glide across the paper, and understanding how each stroke reflects your state of mind was fascinating. It was humbling, peaceful, and deeply personal.
The tea ceremony was the perfect finale — graceful, poetic, and full of quiet symbolism. Every movement told a story, from the preparation to the final sip of matcha. It wasn’t just about tea; it was about appreciation, respect, and connection.
I left feeling centered, inspired, and deeply grateful. If you’re looking for more than sightseeing — an experience that touches your spirit and gives you a glimpse into true Japanese culture — this is absolutely unmissable.
Christy_T, Oct 2025
This was a great experience. So fun to learn about the Buddhist Zen meditation method as well as a lot of information on the Buddhist religion and customs.
We also enjoyed learning calligraphy and enjoying some traditional tea and snacks
Brian_D, Aug 2025
This was a great experience. Felt very authentic and you don’t need to know anything about Buddhism. You practice meditation, calligraphy, see how to pray at the temple and have a brief tea ceremony. Kazu was a very helpful host and spoke English. The mono, Namiki, was very friendly and answered all of our questions. Highly recommend!
Daina_B, Jul 2025
This was one of my absolute favorite activities in Tokyo! It was a unique experience unlike the traditional tours. I learned a lot and enjoyed the meditation, calligraphy and yea ceremony. The monk was incredibly welcoming and warm. The tour guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. I highly recommend this tour!
Benjamin_L, May 2025
Amazing guide, beautiful temple, friendly monk… a great experience. Zen meditation, calligraphy and enjoyed some tea.
Jennifer_C, May 2025
This experience gave me everything I was hoping for! I love learning and experiencing different parts of culture and having this opportunity not only to practice meditation and sutra tracing, but also a tea ceremony was made even better by being able to ask questions to a practicing monk.
I set out on this trip to find the most unique experiences I could, and this definitely served its purpose!
Puja_M, Apr 2025
I had the most wonderful time with my partner during this meditation, calligraphy, and tea ceremony experience with a monk in Tokyo. The temple itself is absolutely beautiful—peaceful, serene, and full of character.
Our guide, Kazu, was fantastic—warm, informative, and made us feel very welcome. The monk leading the experience was kind, humorous, and deeply knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the essence of meditation, answered all of our questions thoughtfully, and even gave us the chance to pray in the temple. It was a meaningful and enriching experience from start to finish.
Honestly, if I could, I would do this experience again—it was that incredible. I completely recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo who is looking for something spiritual, cultural, and truly unique.
One note: be sure to confirm the exact meeting point in advance. The address we received initially pointed us to the wrong Family Mart, so I’d suggest contacting the tour company ahead of time and arriving early just in case.
Peter_G, Apr 2025
This meditation experience with a monk was very peaceful and just what I needed this trip with a question and answer session with the monk as well as getting to try matcha tea and sweets and getting to write in calligraphy.
AnnellD_B, Mar 2025
Tamami was our guide and she is wonderful! Tamami has a lovely upbeat personality and is very knowledgeable! The entire experience with Tamami and the monk was amazing!!! Such a great experience to meet a monk - especially a monk who is approachable and completely open to any question our family asked! Five stars for sure!!!
Elizabeth_S, Dec 2024
Beautiful event! Learned about the history and proper breathing and meditating. The monk was helpful, the temple was nice.
Barbara_C, Nov 2024
Very good experience.
The monk of the temple is very welcoming and willing to share, our guide was perfectly understandable and nice. The whole time spent in the hall of the temple was very pleasant.
FRED_L, Oct 2024
The whole zen experience was amazing. First time for me to be hit by a monk and I can finally see thru the red dust (a budda term) and be at peace. The calligraphy was calming and the tea ceremony was relaxing.. Tamami our guide was friendly and efficient and took many photos for us especially the one that I was being hit by the monk. Thank you very much Tamami for making this tour so fun for everyone.
Fernando_H, Oct 2024
Truly an unique experience! We loved it! Exceeded expectations. The monk had great sense of humor and the interpreter did a good job.
Leinana_T, Jul 2024
This was a wonderful experience with my family. We spent time in seated meditation, did a calligraphy activity, and ended with a short tea ceremony during which we were able to ask the monk questions about Zen Buddhism. Our translator was incredibly warm and helpful. This will be one of our most memorable experiences from our trip to Japan.
Bienvenu_B, May 2025
J’ai bcp aimé la pratique de méditation du moine. Je n’avais jamais fait de méditation avant. J’ai aimé aussi l’exercice d’écriture, c’était chouette
Merci bcp au moine et au guide pour cette expérience
From $55.34
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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