You might initially underestimate this spot because of its limited schedule and accessibility. It’s a bit far from the city center and not reachable by train. Taking the correct bus might be a bit tricky for foreign visitors. In addition, the main program is offered only once a month. So yes, there are hurdles and limited opportunities to join.

But is it alright if you pass on this opportunity?
Absolutely not.

I highly recommend this program for its rich experiences. The yoga session is outstanding. A skilled instructor guides us through a variety of poses, from challenging to gentle, with a teaching style that is both practical and meditative. The scent of incense, the tatami floors, faint healing music, warm light streaming through the shoji windows, and beautifully hanging altars from the high ceiling create an incredible atmosphere. I had never experienced yoga like this in a regular studio—I bet this is truly different from commercial yoga classes.

During the Zen meditation session, the yoga instructor joins the sitting line while a monk leads the practice. The introductory lecture is superb. He kindly explains how to sit, move, and focus in order to enter meditation. Have you ever tried to feel the blood running through the capillaries in your fingertips? That’s what we focus on. It might be a bit like the Vipassana method: we notice the small sensations in our body and let our mind rest.

You can also try walking meditation, called Kinhin. Does it sound strange to meditate while moving? It might. But they say that for a Zen practitioner, all movement can become meditation. Me? Not yet. I need more practice.

The last part, transcribing sutras, is another popular experience at Japanese temples. You write kanji on thin paper called Hanshi with a brush. Since I started, I’ve even noticed my handwriting improving! But the purpose isn’t to perfect your writing—it’s to focus fully on the act itself. Sitting meditation, walking meditation, writing meditation…everything becomes meditation in a Zen temple.

If you have experience with yoga, I hope you try Zazen. If you have experience with Zazen, try yoga. If you’ve never tried either of these activities…why are you watching DVDs lying on your couch in your nice, comfortable living room?