Nourish heart and soul in a Buddhist cooking lesson led by a former chef of Eiheji
2 hour private experience
Location: Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Join the head chef in a private vegan temple food cooking workshop. Learn about the philosophy behind shojin ryori and Soto Zen Buddhism, then prepare an assortment of dishes. Then, head upstairs to the dining hall to enjoy a meal of your dishes paired with those prepared by the master.
What else you should know
Please inform us of any dietary requirements, including allergies, at checkout.
Who can attend
Children must be 15+
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (11:00 - 13:00)
Session 3 (12:00 - 14:00)
Not available in March and August
Access
45 minutes by car from Sapporo Station
40 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport
A Culinary Centering
Rooted in Buddhism, shojin ryori is more than a meal—it is meditation in motion. No meat, no pungent flavors—just tofu, seaweed, seasonal vegetables, and ingredients chosen with care. The traditional cuisine of Buddhist temples in Japan, monks have prepared and consumed these meals for centuries. In Zen Buddhism especially, enlightenment is pursued not just through seated zazen meditation, but through mindful action—each chop, stir, and simmer in the kitchen becomes a form of devotion, a practice in presence. Within just a single meal of shojin ryori are countless colorful small plates, with all five classical tastes well represented -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. At a Soto Zen temple on the quiet outskirts of Sapporo, experience this time-honored vegan cuisine under the guidance of the former head chef of Eiheiji, the Soto school’s head temple and the heart of monastic training. Learn how to prepare classic vegan temple dishes from the culinary master, then feast on a meal that nourishes both body and soul. Here, cooking is not only a craft, but a spiritual path—one that invites you to taste with intention.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least one month in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
