Experiences / Wellness
Zazen at a Zen temple
禅寺の座禅 ぜんでらのざぜん
Wellness · Quiet · Early morning · Free
Forty minutes of sitting, in two periods with slow walking between, in the main hall of a Zen temple with a monk who explains the posture in English and, if you ask, will strike your shoulder with the stick when you slump. Several temples in the centre hold beginners' sessions on set mornings and evenings; some follow with tea and a talk. It is free or nearly, and it resets a jet-lagged head faster than anything.
- How to arrange it
- Check the temple's schedule online; arrive fifteen minutes early; loose trousers; a small donation.
- Price band
- ¥
- Allow
- 60 min
Where to book it
Roppongi & Azabu
Chokokuji (Nishi-Azabu Daikannon)
長谷寺（西麻布大観音）
¥ · 60 min · English: no
A Soto Zen branch temple of Eiheiji in Nishi-Azabu, home to a towering Edo-era Kannon statue, that holds a monthly public zazen gathering in its main hall. It is a working neighborhood temple rather than a tourist-oriented meditation center, offering an unfiltered version of the practice a short walk from Roppongi.
Ueno & Yanaka
Zenshoan Temple - Sunday Zazen
全生庵 日曜坐禅会
¥ · 120 min · English: no
Zenshoan is a Rinzai temple in Yanaka founded in connection with swordsman-statesman Yamaoka Tesshu, and its Sunday zazen meetings are a genuine working practice session rather than a staged tourist demo. A dedicated beginner slot with posture instruction makes it approachable for first-timers, even without English.
Named operators, each verified against its official site. We list the booking route and whether English is spoken; hours and prices live on the official site. All operators