The 15 Zen Meditation Sessions in Kyoto Most Visitors Pick

1.Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $110Our pick

Spend about four and a half hours walking around Tofukuji, learning about Zen from a local guide, and practicing zazen with a monk. The tour includes temple admission, a guided look at a dry landscape garden, and a traditional Buddhist lunch. Groups are capped at seven, and guides have included Yutaka, Hikari, Yukata, and Yuka.

“I highly recommend this tour. It was probably one of our most memorable moments in Kyoto. Hikari was our guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the different temples, the organization of them and the history. The tour felt very calm and meditative just from her demeanor and voice. The best part of the tour was the one hour meditation. The monk who led the meditation only spoke Japanese, so Hikari prepped us before with what to expect. There was a brief break in the middle, and she also translated for us some of the additional tips and history he shared. At the end, the monk came over and spoke with…”

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2.Zen Experience in a Hidden Temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 437 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

At Jusho-in, a sub-temple of Myoshin-ji, English-speaking guides introduce you to the temple before abbot Eitetsu Nishida leads two 20-minute zazen sessions. Then learn about matcha and enjoy tea and seasonal sweets beside a historic garden. A photographer takes pictures, sent to you within a few days.

“Loved this experience from start to finish! Everyone there was kind, patient, and informative and happy to answer all our questions. Learned lots and had a nice relaxing day too!”

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3.Tea Ceremony Meditation – Make Matcha with Tea Master

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 406 reviews · 45 min · from $45

In a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse, an English-speaking tea master trained in the Omotesenke tradition demonstrates matcha preparation, then guides you as you make your own bowl with handcrafted utensils. You’ll learn the ceremony’s gestures and meaning, ask questions, and enjoy matcha with a Japanese sweet. Groups are limited to 10; kimono rental is not included.

“We really enjoyed learning about the tea ceremony. The best part was we were a small group which really made it special. Also we had children (8 and 10 year old ) and this was just the right mix of learning and hands on experience for them.”

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4.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · 1h 30m · from $91

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kodaiji Park and walk about 10 minutes to a temple not open to the general public. A monk explains Zazen posture and practice, then leads a meditation session. Finish with tea, questions, and time in the garden. Guides have included Soma, Satoru, and Kohtaro. The experience lasts 90 minutes and costs $91 per person.

“A really enjoyable morning of meditation, the monk answered all questions and took pictures with the group. Satoru was great!”

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5.Zen Garden, Zen Mind (Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews

Walk from Keage Station through three Nanzen-ji temples with Andrew, a garden designer with more than 15 years of experience. Over about three and a half hours, you’ll look closely at garden design and consider its links to Zen, Buddhism, Shinto, and Kyoto’s culture. The tour is private for up to four people; temple admission costs ¥1,600 per person extra.

“Fantastic Tour! It was an unforgettable experience made even more meaningful by Andrew’s insightful explanations of the gardens and the principles of Buddhism.”

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6.4.5-Hour Kyoto Bike Tour with Lunch and UNESCO Zen Temples

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $99

Spend four and a half hours cycling Kyoto with a certified English-speaking guide and a group capped at five. Visit Kennin-ji and Nanzen-ji, ride beside the Kamogawa River, and stop for a local lunch at a Japanese teahouse. Bikes, helmets, temple entry, and tour photos are included. The ride starts at 9 a.m.

“Great way to get out of Kyoto and see sites! Biking is a favorite activity in any town/city... this was no exception! Loved the ride along the river, all the things we saw as we moved around town and out to the edges to see shrines and temples. Lunch was fantastic, and Naru was an awesome guide!”

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7.Zen Meditation and Garden Tour at a Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 86 reviews · 4h 30m · from $107

Spend four and a half hours around Tofukuji with an English-speaking guide, visiting temple grounds and a Zen garden before a one-hour zazen session with a monk. Then sit down to shojin ryori, a Buddhist vegetarian meal that includes fish-based dashi. Guide Yutaka is often praised for clear explanations and a calm, friendly manner.

“I’m so happy I added this tour to my trip. It was so nice having someone explain not only the background of the temples we visited but also answer my questions about Buddhism, symbols and all their meanings. Eri was a great guide and so helpful with recommending places to go and see after the tour. She was so knowledgeable and showed a true passion for the topics she shared. Not to mention her amazing photography skills and capturing some great memories on tour. Thank you!”

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8.Arashiyama Guided Tour, Bamboo, Monkey, Zen Temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 3 hours · from $74

In three hours, walk Arashiyama’s bamboo path, visit Tenryu-ji and Togetsukyo Bridge, then climb to Iwatayama Monkey Park for macaques and Kyoto views. Tours run in English or Japanese, with guides including Kanako, Hiro, Nabet, and Hiraki on past departures.

“Definitely knew the history of the bamboo forest, shrines, and temples. Monkey park at the end was a blast! No room for improvement. Excellent tour!!!”

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9.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $98

Near Kodaiji Park, a monk leads a small-group introduction to Zen and a meditation session inside a private temple that is usually closed to the public. You’ll also have matcha and traditional snacks, then finish on Nene-no-michi. The 90-minute experience costs $98.83 per person and allows up to nine participants.

“It is a more private experience at a smaller but beautiful temple. The monk is very genuine but insightful. I highly recommend this experience”

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10.Kyoto Guided Walking Tour: Secret Zen Garden and Fushimi Inari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $78

Start at 9:00 a.m. near Tofuku-ji and walk with a guide through temple grounds, Komyo-in’s Zen garden, and quieter Fushimi Inari paths before reaching the shrine’s famous torii gates. Guides on this tour have included Mika, Kenta, and Naomi. Expect about four hours of walking, some uphill, in a group capped at eight.

“I recently took a guided tour to two of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks—Fushimi Inari Shrine and Fuhuji Temple—and it was a truly remarkable experience. The tour was well-paced, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the stunning sites without fRead more”

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11.Morning Zen Meditation at a Kyoto Café

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $18

Join Uyesugi at Zen Coffee Kyoto for an English- or Japanese-language introduction to Zen, mantra chanting, seated meditation, and freshly brewed single-origin coffee. The one-hour morning session takes place in a traditional machiya-style café and is limited to four participants, making it a calm, personal introduction for beginners.

“solo female traveller here - wanting something different/new? do this!! it’s the perfect start to your morning. Uyesugi is so calm, informative and knowledgeable. He will guide you through zen meditation and then make you an amazing singleRead more”

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12.Candlelit Zen: Evening Meditation at Kyoto’s Secret Temple

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1h 10m

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kodaiji Park for a 70-minute evening visit to a Kyoto temple not open to the general public. A guide introduces Japanese culture and Zen before a monk explains and leads Zazen meditation. Finish with tea, a temple-garden view, and time for questions. Groups are private, with up to nine people.

“It was an amazing experience. A monk walked usthrough zen meditation”

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13.Zen Meditation for Life in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $108

Spend an afternoon learning Zen meditation from Buddhist priest Brian Victoria in a traditional Kyoto machiya near Nishi Honganji. This private workshop covers meditation’s purpose, posture, breath, and mind control, then puts the lessons into practice with seated zazen and walking kinhin. Tea and a Kyoto sweet are included.

“What a beautiful and unique afternoon we spent. In a few hours we took a deeper dive into the history and practice of Zen meditation. Brian was prompt, kind and incredibly knowledgeable. We had time to explore a temple, learn posture and both sit and walk meditate.”

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14.Kyoto Hidden Riverside Zen Mediation and Uji Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $105

Spend about two hours learning the basics of seated Zen meditation on an open-air riverside deck in Kyoto. A Zen instructor with decades of experience at historic temples and shrines leads the workshop, while an English-speaking cultural guide interprets. Finish with premium Uji matcha and seasonal wagashi.

“If you are thinking about doing this experience while in Kyoto, take this review as your sign that you should register right now. This has been the highlight of our trip, amongst some very notable experiences. Highly recommend!!!”

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15.Nighttime Zen Meditation and Matcha Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1h 30m · from $206

At Keishunin, a sub-temple of Kyoto’s Myoshinji, a private 90-minute evening tour takes you through four illuminated gardens, the Sehakuan tea room and Kano Sansetsu’s fusuma paintings. Deputy Chief Priest Yasumasa Arashima leads a zazen meditation, followed by matcha and a traditional sweet. English and Chinese guides are available.

“One of the best activities that I did on this trip , worth it every penny!”

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