1.5 hour private experience
Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Learn about the unique history of the temple, which also houses a Shinto shrine inside. Experience Zazen (Zen meditation) with the head monk.
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (13:00 - 14:30)
Session 2 (14:00 - 15:30)
Session 3 (15:00 - 16:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 7+
What’s included
A commemorative Goshuin (temple/shrine seal) combining Shinto and Buddhist elements.
What to wear
Comfortable clothing suitable for meditation is recommended.
What else you should know
Please let us know in advance if you are sensitive to incense.
Access
5 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station
Seeing Double
Spirituality is a nuanced topic in Japan, with the line between religion and culture long blurred. Before the forced separation of religions in the Meiji period, shrines and temples often coexisted on the same grounds, with worshippers offering prayers to Buddha in one moment and Shinto kami in the next. This central Kanazawa temple, with a history spanning nearly 700 years, defied strict government mandates by discreetly concealing its Shinto deity—the deified scholar Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin)—in plain sight, allowing its traditions to continue uninterrupted. After restrictions eased at the end of the Meiji period, the temple openly reclaimed this dual heritage and today honors both Buddhist and Shinto divinities. Immerse yourself in this distinctive spiritual atmosphere through a private Zazen (meditation) session and guided temple tour, right in the heart of Kanazawa.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
