Zazen is silent meditation of Zen Buddhism and it is performed in sitting. This tour is to have an experience of Zazen at Eiheiji Zen Head Temple where it was founded by Zen Master Dogen who first taught Zen in Japan. The Temple has been filled with the bracing and serene atmosphere of Zen practitioners. Let’s try Zazen to see inside yourself and/or relax in the deep mountains during busy travelling.
JR Fukui Station
Take a 11:50 exress bus for Eiheiji.
Before entering into the temple, we have a quick lunch in Eiheiji town and strolling around the temple before a Zazen experience.
A 50 minutes experience of Zazen.
After Zazen, explore the Eiheiji Temple.
Take a 15:30 express bus for Fukui.
JR Fukui Station
The formal practice of Zazen (meditation) provided by monks who have been practicing in Eiheji Zen Head Temple. Monks usually come from their own home temple and practice in Eiheiji for 3 to 5 years and after completion of the practice, they will go back to their home temple to run its temple.
tour guide fees
bus fare, admission fee and participation fee of meditation for customers and a guide.
(per person)
a round trip bus fare from Fukui station/Eiheiji: 1,500 yen
admission fee: 500 yen
Zazen (meditation) experience fee: 1,000 yen
transportation fare for a guide to commute to the meeting place: 1000 yen
Eiheiji Zen Head Temple is built along the mountain with many stairs. Over 100 Monks have been practicing for 3 to 5 years in the temple. It is not allowed to take a picture of monks.
A responsive, responsible and excellent tour guide. Yoshie-san went out of her way to ensure that we enjoyed our day. Thank you so much.
Hi Ken, thank you so much for your review on my tour in Fukui. We happened to see monks chanting a sutra which made the entire temple very solemn. I am so pleased that you could enjoy viewing beautiful nature in Fukui. Will wait for you to come back! Thank you again. Yoshie
I give Yoshie a well deserved 5 stars! She is a very pleasant and kind person with perfect English! She is diligent and very organised in planning our itinerary. She was flexible in accommodating our last minute requests. I can tell she did a lot of research especially on her selection of lunch at a UNESCO heritage site. It was the most memorable lunch we ever had in Japan!! It was a grilled fish restaurant using the Shirakawago’s traditional grilling method in one of 9 Gassho Houses in Gokayama. The restaurant owner showed us a photo of his father who was a mountain hiker (?). The owner carried on his father’s legacy and runs this restaurant. At the end of the lunch, the owner did a short spontaneous performance for us: he played an instrument special to this region with singing and dancing!! Wow… what an unexpected bonus to the wonderful lunch! We owe this memorable experience to Yoshie for the fantastic planning and being the best tour guide! Next time In Kanazawa, I will certainly hire Yoshie again! Widdy
Hi Widdy, thank you so much for your overwhelming and thoughtful review. I am very pleased to receive it from you. Now I understand that your family loves eating Japanese food while traveling. Of course, you are so keen about the history and culture of each country too. I would be more than happy to find good food next time you come to see me! Thank you again.
We had a fantastic day with Yoshie, we never could have seen as much in our short time in Kanazawa without her. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible—my husband, my 16 year old son and I all had a great time exploring, learning, and sampling all the delicious treats around town. Thanks again!
Hi Laura, thank you so much for your kind review on my tour. It was a beautiful sunny day to walk in Kanazawa. Everybody was so energetic walking, eating, seeing and talking. I liked seeing your family's big curiosity about everything! Thank you again. Yoshie
Yoshie was the perfect guide for us. Her knowledge and translation skills helped make our visits to washi, tansu and knife-making studios so interesting. She was willing to answer any questions we asked. Lunch was delicious and our conversation was broad-ranging. Highly recommend.
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for visiting the 'crafts town', Echizen and for your kind review. I am truly happy that you liked the time spent in Echizen and I enjoyed talking with you too. We have a large annual open workshops event in October in the widely ranged area. Hope you can come back some day! Thank you again. Yoshie