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Religion & spirituality
Align mind, body, spirit and soul during your exploration of Japanese religion.
There is a warm spirituality about Japan that floats on the breeze through temples and shrines, lingers in the mind during tea ceremonies and cultural arts, and bestows the Japanese people with their polite, welcoming nature. Religion is a personal affair, separate from the state, so with freedom most Japanese believe in both Shintoism and Buddhism in syncretic fashion.
It's impossible not to absorb some of this spirituality while exploring Japan and InsideJapan are pleased to offer experiences to deepen this understanding so you can return home full of health and heart.
Insider Experience: Kyoto's Zen heritage
Zen. In terms of literature describing Japan, it's hard to find a word that is more commonly misunderstood. Let our "Insider" reveal all...
Zazen meditation
An inspiring introduction to meditation with a Zen priest in a tranquil temple setting.
Day Trip to Eihei-ji
Explore the fascinating temple complex of Eihei-ji for an insight into Buddhism.
Pilgrim's stay on Haguro-san
Make your own pilgrimage to sacred Mount Haguro and stay in Buddhist temple lodgings.
Shingon Buddhism
“Understanding fully the true nature of your own mind is equal to understanding everything.” – From the Dainichi-kyo, Shingon Buddhist sutras.
Buddhist temple lodgings
Spend a night in shukubo temple lodgings; a fantastic way to understand the simple, traditional lifestyle of Japan's Buddhist monks.
Insider Experience: Sacred Mount Hiei
Join our Kyoto "Insider" for a hike to the top of sacred Mount Hiei, home of Buddhism's esoteric Tendai school.
Temple stamp book
For a beautiful memento, why not keep a shuuin stamp book to record each temple you have visited?
Zenko-ji Temple
InsideJapan can arrange for you to meet a monk at Nagano's Zenko-ji Temple.
Insider Experience: Hidden Higashiyama ghost tour
Join our Kyoto "Insider" Ayako Kiyono for a ghostly walking tour through the haunted temples and secret tombs of Kyoto's Higashiyama district.
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