Restaurant Bus Tokyo With Japanese Lunch and Zazen Experience

The Restaurant Bus Tokyo offers a unique culinary and cultural experience that blends the flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine with the tranquility of Zazen meditation. Guests can embark on this journey, savoring a multi-course lunch while traveling through the city, before seeing a guided meditation session at a historic temple. This harmonious fusion of gastronomy and mindfulness promises to nourish both the body and the spirit, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for the richness of Japanese culture.

Good To Know

• Unique cultural tour combines Japanese activities like Zazen meditation, sutra copying, and matcha tea ceremony with a gourmet Japanese lunch aboard a moving restaurant bus.

• Unlimited servings of sparkling Dassai sake accompany the multi-course Japanese meal, featuring traditional dishes and artful presentation during the bus journey.

• Guided Zazen meditation session led by a Zen monk at Asakusa Torin-ji temple promotes inner calm and focus on the present moment.

• Participants engage in the serene practice of Shakyo, or hand-copying Buddhist sutras, to connect with the religion’s teachings.

• The tour concludes with a traditional matcha tea ceremony, where a skilled tea master demonstrates the proper preparation and etiquette.

Overview of the Restaurant Bus Tokyo Experience

The Restaurant Bus Tokyo experience offers a unique combination of Japanese cultural activities and a delectable lunch served aboard a bus.

Participants can engage in Zazen meditation, Shakyo sutra copying, and a matcha tea ceremony at Asakusa Torin-ji. The Japanese course meal is accompanied by all-you-can-drink sparkling Dassai on the bus.

The experience also includes a Tokyo Tower main deck admission ticket and transportation to the boarding location, with a local guide provided throughout.

This immersive cultural tour accommodates up to 20 travelers and can be booked with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Japanese Lunch on the Restaurant Bus

A Japanese course meal is served on the Restaurant Bus Tokyo, offering diners a delightful culinary experience during the cultural tour.

The multi-course lunch features an array of traditional Japanese dishes, from mouthwatering sashimi to hearty, flavorful entrees. Guests can savor the exquisite flavors and artful presentation as the bus winds through the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Complementing the meal, the experience includes unlimited servings of sparkling Dassai, allowing guests to indulge in the perfect pairing of food and drink.

This dining adventure seamlessly blends Japanese gastronomy with the unique setting of a moving restaurant bus.

Zazen (Meditation) Session at Asakusa Torin-ji

After arriving at Asakusa Torin-ji, travelers partake in a serene Zazen meditation session.

This traditional Buddhist practice allows participants to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment.

The experience includes:

1. Instruction from a resident Zen monk on proper Zazen posture and breathing techniques.
2. 20 minutes of guided meditation in the serene temple setting.
3. An opportunity to ask questions and discuss the practice with the monk.
4. A sense of inner calm and clarity to carry forward into the rest of the day’s activities.

Shakyo (Sutra Copying) Activity

Following the meditative Zazen session, travelers move on to the Shakyo activity at Asakusa Torin-ji. Shakyo, the traditional practice of hand-copying sutras, allows participants to deeply engage with Buddhist teachings. Quietly focusing on the delicate strokes, travelers experience a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. The experience is enhanced by the serene temple setting.

Emotion	Description
Tranquility	The temple’s peaceful ambiance fostering inner calm
Mindfulness	The act of concentrating on the sutra copying
Connection	Feeling a deeper bond with Buddhist philosophy

This thoughtful practice precedes the final event – the matcha tea ceremony, completing the culture.

Matcha Tea Ceremony at Asakusa Torin-ji

What better way to conclude the culture than with the serene matcha tea ceremony at Asakusa Torin-ji?

Participants will savor the rich, frothy green tea while experiencing the refined Japanese tea ritual. The ceremony includes:

1. Watching the skilled tea master prepare the matcha with precise movements.
2. Learning the proper etiquette for handling the tea bowl and appreciating the tea’s presentation.
3. Enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the traditional tea room.
4. Reflecting on the Zazen and Shakyo experiences as they sip the earthy, umami-rich matcha.

This harmonious finale allows guests to fully enjoy Japanese culture before returning to the bustling city.

Transportation and Meeting/End Points

The meeting point for the Restaurant Bus Tokyo experience is Exit 2 of Tawaramachi Station, located at 2-chōme-10-13 Kotobuki, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0042, Japan.

All transportation expenses to the boarding location are covered. A local guide is provided throughout the experience.

The tour ends at Whim Gazette, Marunouchi Building, B1, Tokyo, 〒100-0005, Chiyoda City.

The start time is 9:30 am, and the tour is limited to a maximum of 20 travelers.

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Admission Inclusions and Accessibility

The Restaurant Bus Tokyo experience includes a Tokyo Tower admission ticket for the main deck.

Transportation expenses to the boarding location are also covered. A local guide is provided throughout the experience to assist travelers.

The experience offers the following inclusions and accessibility details:

1. Tokyo Tower main deck admission ticket is included.
2. Transportation expenses to the boarding location are covered.
3. A local guide is provided throughout the experience.
4. The experience isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller accessible, and most travelers can participate.

Booking Details and Cancellation Policy

Travelers can book the Restaurant Bus Tokyo experience through WILLER TRAVEL, with the tour starting at $251.53 per person.

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience allows a maximum of 20 travelers per tour.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The meeting point is at Exit 2 of Tawaramachi Station, and the end point is at Whim Gazette in Marunouchi Building.

This experience isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Most travelers can participate in this activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Experience Suitable for Vegetarians or Those With Dietary Restrictions?

The experience may accommodate vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions, but it’s best to check with the provider in advance. They can confirm if alternative meal options are available to meet specific dietary needs.

Can Participants Bring Their Own Cameras and Take Photos During the Activities?

Participants can bring their own cameras and take photos during the activities. However, they should be mindful not to disrupt the experience or interfere with the religious and cultural practices they’ll be participating in.

Is the Experience Appropriate for Young Children or Families With Young Kids?

The experience may not be suitable for young children or families with young kids. While strollers are allowed, the activities like Zazen and tea ceremony require extended periods of focus that could be challenging for little ones. Parental discretion is advised.

Is There an Option to Extend the Duration of the Experience or Add Additional Activities?

The experience doesn’t mention an option to extend the duration or add activities. Customers should contact the tour provider to inquire about any customizable options that may be available to extend or enhance the experience.

Can Participants Keep Any Materials or Items Produced During the Shakyo or Tea Ceremony?

Participants can typically keep any materials or items they produce during the shakyo (sutra copying) or tea ceremony. These are considered personal mementos of the experience and are meant for the participants to take home.

The Sum Up

The Restaurant Bus Tokyo offers a unique cultural experience that blends a traditional Japanese lunch with a guided Zazen meditation session. Guests can enjoy the flavors of Japan and the tranquility of mindfulness as they travel through the city. With additional activities like Shakyo and a Matcha tea ceremony, this tour provides a harmonious and enriching exploration of Japanese culinary and spiritual practices.