Organize your mind through meditation
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You can try a casual Zen experience such as Shojin Ryori, Zazen, Shakyo and Shabutsu while sightseeing at Okuyama Hokoji, the representative Zen temple of the Tokai region. Why don't you get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and get refreshed in the clear air of the mountains?
CONTENTS
One day Zen temple experience
Interpretation｜Zazen｜Shabutsu/ Shakyo｜Shojin Ryori｜Admission
Interpretation｜Zazen｜Shabutsu/ Shakyo｜Shojin Ryori｜Admission
Ideal for those who want to try a casual Zen experience!
A plan that bundles Zazen, Shabutsu and Shojin Ryori experiences done with a monk. You can enjoy the silent time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
We recommend the plan with an interpreter if you want to learn deeply about Zen.
We recommend the plan with an interpreter if you want to learn deeply about Zen.
| Availability | All year round (some dates may not be available due to events, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Up to 7 days in advance |
| Duration | About 3 hours |
| Start time | Choose from 9:30am〜1pm or 11:30am〜3pm |
| Capacity | 2 people〜 ※Larger parties please inquire first. |
| Details | Shojin Ryori, Zazen and Shakyo or Shabutsu |
Fee
| 2 people or more | ¥15,000/ person |
Included in Cost/ Experience, Shojinryori, Admission, Interpretation fee
Method of PaymentAdvance payment/ paypal
Cancellation Charges
7 Day to 3 Day Notice: ¥3,000 per person
2 Day to 1 Day Notice: 50%
Cancel on the day of the tour or fail to show: 100%
2 Day to 1 Day Notice: 50%
Cancel on the day of the tour or fail to show: 100%
How to reserve
Please book 7 days in advance
Zen Temple Lodging Experience
Interpretation｜accommodation｜Zazen｜Shabutsu/ Shakyo｜Shojin Ryori｜Admission
Interpretation｜accommodation｜Zazen｜Shabutsu/ Shakyo｜Shojin Ryori｜Admission
Limited to one group per day.
A memorable stay at a mountain temple
A memorable stay at a mountain temple
- An exclusive zazen experience at the temple's main hall in the Tokai Region's largest registered tangible property!
- One group only! A private plan exclusively for your group during your stay.
- Reservation requests by solo travelers are OK!
- An exceptional Shojin Ryori (Buddhist monks' vegetarian meal) tailored for overnight guests.
Stay at a quiet temple in the mountains and organize your mind through meditation. This plan includes a Zen experience with a monk and a two-course dinner of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine called shojin-ryori. This is aprivate plan with only one group per day and is recommended for those who wish to take a deeper dive into learning about Zen Buddhism.
| Availability | All year round (except for the fourth Saturday of the month) |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Up to 10 days in advance. |
| Duration | 2 days and 1 night |
| Start time | Check-in 3:30pm ※Check-out 10am |
| Capacity | 1〜10 people |
| Details | ● Day 1 Guided visit to the temple, explanation of zazen meditation and Q&A session with a monk, Dinner, shakyo or shabutsu (hand-copying sutras or tracing a picture of a Buddhist image) ● Day2 Morning zazen, breakfast, check-out ※Participants can walk around the temple grounds until 4pm after checkout. |
Fee
| 1〜5 people | ¥121,000/ group |
| 6 people or more | additional charge ¥22,000/ person |
Included in Cost／Temple entrance and admission fee, zazen meditation, sutra copying (or Buddhist image tracing), accommodation (1 night + 2 meals), interpreter
Method of PaymentAdvance payment/ paypal
Cancellation Charges
After booking is confirmed: ¥5,500
14 to 8 Days Notice: 30%
7 to 2 Days Notice: 50%
Cancel on the day before, on the day of the tour or no-show: 100%
14 to 8 Days Notice: 30%
7 to 2 Days Notice: 50%
Cancel on the day before, on the day of the tour or no-show: 100%
How to reserve
Please book 10 days in advance
Zazen (Zen meditation)
You can try Zazen which the study of ones self. It is easy for beginners and will be given attentive instructions such as how to properly cross your legs or keeping the proper posture by an actual monk.
Shakyo (Transcribing a sutra)
You will learn to stabilize your mind while transcribing a sutra by copying each of the letters. Putting all distracting thoughts out of your mind and concentrating on copying the letters will take you away from your daily life and keep you calm. The finished sutra will be said in prayer by the temple, but you can also take it home with you.
Shabutsu (Tracing a picture of a Buddhist image)
You will learn to stabilize your mind by tracing a picture of a Buddhist image onto a sheet of paper. Even if you use the same model, the finished copies will vary as it depends on the drawer's mental attitude of that time it was created. The finished work will be prayed on the temple, but you can also take it home with you.
Shojin Ryori
(A vegetarian cuisine originally created for Buddhist monks encompassing their dietary restrictions)
You can enjoy seasonal Shojin Ryori. Shojin Ryori is prepared with natural ingredients with vegetables as its main staple. It generally omits meat, fish, Chinese chives, and garlic. The Houkouji's special "Eel Kabayaki" (imitation eel) made from tofu, lotus root and yam is popular.
You can enjoy seasonal Shojin Ryori. Shojin Ryori is prepared with natural ingredients with vegetables as its main staple. It generally omits meat, fish, Chinese chives, and garlic. The Houkouji's special "Eel Kabayaki" (imitation eel) made from tofu, lotus root and yam is popular.
About Okuyama Houkouji
During the second year of the Kentoku Era (1371) Mumongensenzenji, the son of Emperor Godaigo, established this Zen temple on 60 hectares of land. 22 of the buildings are registered as a tangible cultural property.
＞＞ Okuyama Houkouji ／ 奥山方広寺
ADDRESS 1577-1 Okuyama,Inasachou,Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi,Shizuoka
PHONE 053-543-0003
OPEN HOURS 9am – 4pm (Mountain’s reception closes at 3:30)
TRANSPORT From Hamamatsu Station
[BUS] Take the "Shiyakusho-Okuyama"line bus (60 minutes ride) at bus stop #15 of the bus terminal to "Okuyama" then walk
[TAXI] 50 minutes
[CAR]10 minutes from Shin-tomei Expressway Hamamatsu I.C. ※From Chubu International Airport connection road (Centrair line) Centrair East Interchange to Hamamatsu Inasa interchange of Shin-tomei Expressway. About an hour and twenty minutes.
http://www.houkouji.or.jp/index.html（Japanese）
PHONE 053-543-0003
OPEN HOURS 9am – 4pm (Mountain’s reception closes at 3:30)
TRANSPORT From Hamamatsu Station
[BUS] Take the "Shiyakusho-Okuyama"line bus (60 minutes ride) at bus stop #15 of the bus terminal to "Okuyama" then walk
[TAXI] 50 minutes
[CAR]10 minutes from Shin-tomei Expressway Hamamatsu I.C. ※From Chubu International Airport connection road (Centrair line) Centrair East Interchange to Hamamatsu Inasa interchange of Shin-tomei Expressway. About an hour and twenty minutes.
2025.2.20 update
Content may be subject to change after publication. Please also note that we are not accountable for loses and damages that may occur as a result of said changes.
Content may be subject to change after publication. Please also note that we are not accountable for loses and damages that may occur as a result of said changes.