15 Best Kyoto Zen Meditation Experiences

“This experience was very enjoyable and authentic. Yutaka was a wonderful guide and I truly enjoyed the day - would recommend!”

“The highlight of my Kyoto visit. Highly Recommended experience.”

“A truly unforgettable experience and my favorite in Japan. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and kindness, making the experience feel educational & deeply personal. The zazen meditation was peaceful and grounding, providing a true sense of mindfulness in the tranquil…”

“It was a unique experience that we greatly enjoyed. The temple is peaceful ant the garden so nice and quiet . The guide was excellent and very friendly and so was the monk who gave us a lot of information about the philosophy. Ideal way…”

“This was one of the best tours I have done anywhere, on any subject. Andrew has deep knowledge of the design principles for Zen gardens, but also shared insights on Zen philosophy, Japanese history, and contemporary life in Kyoto. Highly recommended.”

“I had a great day biking around Kyoto with Yusuke! I wasn’t expecting it to be a private tour but that was a nice surprise because I could go at my own pace. Yusuke was a super friendly and knowledgeable guide - he made sure…”

“A very special experience for me and I loved all of it - the zen garden, the zazen meditation with a zen monk, the temple, the delicious lunch afterwards. Our guide Louis was great and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

“This activity was amazing! So well organized; it was easy for us to learn the basics and produce something to take home. The artist was gifted and his interpreter was kind and helpful.”

“We had a private tour with our tour guide Hiro. He was really friendly and knew a lot of Interesting facts about the shrine. we decided not to go the mountain top for the monkeys, because we didn't bring our good walking shoes, so instead…”

“It is a more private experience at a smaller but beautiful temple. The monk is very genuine but insightful. I highly recommend this experience”

“What I like the most is our cutting exhibition and about history of the samurai residence.”

“We had an incredible experience! My boyfriend and I enjoyed our tour with Kenta, our tour guide. Our Pros for this tour and tour guide... 1. Walked at our pace (lots of walking uphill) 2. Flexible with how much time we wanted to spend at…”

“solo female traveller here - wanting something different/new? do this!! it’s the perfect start to your morning. Uyesugi is so calm, informative and knowledgeable. He will guide you through zen meditation and then make you an amazing singleRead more”

“This experience surpassed our expectations of wishing for an introduction to Buddhist meditation. Brian, is an academic and cleric who introduced us more deeply into spiritual history and the evolution of Japanese religious practices.”

“The Zen meditation experience while watching the candles was truly special. The monk and our guide Soma were very friendly, and we learned a lot. It was one of the best experiences we've had in Japan. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Kyoto.”