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FIND ZEN WITH JAPAN’S SŌTŌ BUDDHIST MONKS
Learn about enlightenment from Japan’s temple guardians
MASTER MEDITATION IN THE CALM OF THE FUKUI MOUNTAINS
On this five-day journey, designed for with Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, travel from Japan’s supersonic capital to the serene tranquillity of the mountainous Fukui region to the west, and gain insight into the beliefs and practices of Sōtō, the country’s largest Zen Buddhist sect.
Sleep and eat in a temple community and immerse in the rhythms of monastic life alongside local monks. Master gurus impart their lifetimes knowledge of Zen, meditation and prayer. Explore the ancient temples and gain practical understanding of the fundamentals of Sōtō Zen Buddhism. Learn how to transmute the core principles of this ancient, spiritual belief into everyday life.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
KODO INCENSE CEREMONY
Join an immersive sensory experience at Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple. Pilgrims embarking on the “way of the fragrance” will learn the ancient art of appreciating the fragrance of rare woods from a Kodo master in a private ritualistic ceremony developed during the Edo period. Considered one of Japan’s three geido refined arts, Kodo ceremonies invite guests to “listen”, enjoy and meditate upon incense fragrances, enhancing their sensory concentration.
ZAZEN INSTRUCTION
Experience private instruction from Sōtō sect temple monks in the discipline of seated meditation. Aiming to regulate attention and turn the practitioner's mind inwards, zazen meditation balances body and mind through quiet, calm contemplation. As well as learning the fundamentals of zazen within the historic Kippoji temple complex, guests will take part in an intimate dialogue with Sōtō adherents, exploring the principles of this core meditative practice.
SAKE BREWERY VISIT
Explore Kokouryu Sake Brewery, a heritage brand renowned for its small-batch sake, on a private tour led by a member of the Mizuno family and eat lunch at Apero Acoya. This onsite restaurant helmed by chef Kentaro Takeuchi, pairs Kokouryu sake with a seasonal, locally sourced menu served on the surrounding region’s famed Ehizen tableware.
ZAFU CUSHION MAKING
Visit a local craft studio for a rare chance to make a personal meditation cushion, or zafu. Designed to assist meditation practice, hard, round zafu cushions are a necessary tool in the zazen meditative tradition and were traditionally crafted from natural materials such as cotton, wool and silk and filled with buckwheat hulls or rice husks. Once crafted, travellers will use the zafu in a Zendo meditation hall during their zazen practice.
PRAYER EXPERIENCE
Awake to the sound of a shinrei hand bell for sunrise prayers with temple monks in the birthplace of the Sōtō sect of Buddhism. Dokkyo prayer is a sacred ritual involving the chanting of Buddhist scripture and has been practiced at Daihonzan Eieiji temple for over 650 years. Rising at dawn, guests can experience the authentic rhythms of monastic life alongside local monks, sleeping and eating communally with the temple community.
COMMUNAL TEMPLE LIVING
Stay overnight at the temple, dining with monks and experiencing the authentic communal sleeping quarters used by novice monks for centuries. Join the rhythms of monastic life in the most real and authentic way, to truly understand you must live it. This is not just a holiday.
THE JOURNEY
A 5-day itinerary across Japan
DAY 1
Arrive at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, a luxurious stay located in the Nihonbashi district of the Japanese capital
The Luminaire can arrange evening experiences, such as dining at one of the hotel’s 12 acclaimed restaurants or a spa experience in the hotel’s 38th floor wellness suite
DAY 2
Meet your driver and journey from Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, to Haneda Airport
Fly from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport (approx. 1 hr)
Take a private transfer to Daihonzan Eiheiji temple. Located deep in the mountains outside Fukui city and surrounded by cedar forest, the “temple of eternal peace” was founded in 1244 by Zen Master Dōgen as one of two Sōtō Zen head temples
Walk 15 minutes’ to Riuzen Soba for a lunch of homemade buckwheat soba noodles with grated yam for lunch, an Eiheiji speciality
Meet Adachi Eoshi, Master Guru of Daihonzan Eieiji temple, for an exclusive tour of Sōtō Zen’s birthplace (the largest of the three traditional sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism) and the temple’s hidden secrets
Learn the fundamentals of Master Dōgen’s Zen meditation with an expert guide at the temple inn, Hakujukan, and prepare for a dawn prayer ritual
Stay overnight at the temple, dining with monks and experiencing the authentic communal sleeping quarters used by novice monks for centuries
DAY 3
Wake up early for an intimate Dokkyo prayer service, a sacred ritual involving the reading of Buddhist scripture
After a relaxed temple breakfast, meet a Kodo master for a private Kodo incense ceremony
Drive to Eshikoto, home of the Kokouryu Sake Brewery, a heritage brand renowned for its small-batch sake
Explore the brewery on a private tour led by a member of the Mizuno family and eat lunch at Apero Acoya. This onsite restaurant helmed by chef Kentaro Takeuchi pairs Kokouryu sake with a seasonal, locally sourced menu served on the surrounding region’s famed Ehizen tableware
Visit a farm tended by temple monks and meet the local rural community
Experience making a traditional meditation cushion, a vital object required for the seated practice of zazen meditation
Stay at Hakujukan, an inn in the Daihonzan Eiheiji temple grounds. Eat a traditional shojin ryori temple meal made from wild mountain plants, seasonal vegetables and tofu. Prepared following Buddhist principles, the multi-dish meal is believed to bring balance to the body, mind and spirit
DAY 4
Wake up early for a Dokkyo prayer service and temple breakfast
Journey to Kippoji temple, the serene spiritual location where Zen Master Dōgen trained before establishing Daihonzan Eiheiji temple
Tour the temple gardens and buildings, guided by a monk, and see the stone on which Dogen once meditated
Learn the secrets of vegetarian temple cooking in a gastronomic experience led by Kippoji monks before dining with your hosts, Buddhist practitioners and the local community
Under instruction from temple monks, explore the foundations of Zazen seated meditation and principles of Soto sect spiritual practice
Stay at Beniya Mukayu, a luxury ryokan with onsen facilities that is located on the hillside of the Healing Buddha mountain
DAY 5
After breakfast at Benoya Mukayu, meet your driver and travel to Komatsu Airport
Take a return flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport, before departing Japan
The Luminaire can organise additional experiences in the Kaga region before your Tokyo return, including private tea ceremonies, heritage craft workshops in Kutaniyaki porcelain production and kamisuki paper making, gastronomic experiences and mountain hiking
THE STAYS
EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION
A PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP
The Luminaire designs and operates luxury travel experiences for Mandarin Oriental guests and Fans that are rooted in culture and curiosity, with additional products launching each month in close collaboration with Mandarin Oriental hotels around the world.
From a private masterclass with one of the world’s finest watchmaking ateliers in Switzerland, to an immersive trip to the private site where Van Gogh painted his last canvas just outside Paris, each experience has been designed by experts in their field – art historians, conservationists, sommeliers. Discover exciting new ways to explore each Mandarin Oriental destination and enjoy the signature service for which each hotel is renowned.
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THE JOURNEY
Price from £11,925 per person, for 5 nights, based on 2 people travelling
INCLUSIONS
1 night at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, in a deluxe room, with breakfast
2 nights at Eiheiji Hakujukan temple stay, with breakfast
1 night at Beniya Mukayu luxury ryokan, with breakfast
Take part in an immersive Kodo incense ceremony
Private visit to Sake brewery, and craft studio for Zafu cushion
making
Private prayer experience and communal temple living
All private transfers
All meals in Fukui
EXCLUSIONS
Flights to/from Japan
Return flights to and from Fukui
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Magnificent in all seasons.
Experiences are subject to availability.
ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE
At luxury ryokan Beniya Mukayu, travellers can upgrade their accommodation to the elegant Wakamurasaki Suite or Byakuroku Suite.
Beniya Mukayu can provide an upgraded meal experience to include exquisite regional specialities such as abalone and snow crab.
The ryokan can also provide a number of additional travel experiences, including private tea ceremonies, heritage craft workshops and gastronomic activities.
TRAVEL DESIGNER'S NOTES
Life-long adherents to Zen Buddhism have been selected by our Travel Designers for this intimate journey into the homeland of Sōtō Zen Buddhism. With authentic and rare private experiences at some of Japan’s most sacred sites, all guided by temple monks and master gurus, you’ll learn the principles of Buddhist meditative practice and delve into the spiritual beliefs that have shaped Japan, gaining an understanding of how to implement Zen teachings both in the temple and at home.
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