Spiritual mission experience in Japan

[Hyogo, Himeji] Express important words with kanji and calligraphy. Enjoy calligraphy casually and empty-handed. A successful experience on a half-tatami mat.

Plan ID:53896 Hyogo / Himeji/Nishiharima Hobby / Cultural experience / Traditional culture experience / Traditional culture experience Provide：和堂書院wadoshoin

Age 10～Age 100
Within 1 hour
10:00 / 11:30 / 13:30 / 15:00

For international customers, why not express your soul through calligraphy? You will be able to write your name, motto, favorite words, and anime characters in kanji. Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Japanese calligraphy right next to the iconic Himeji Castle. Feel the real brush strokes as you embark on a journey through centuries of cultural heritage. Join us for an unforgettable experience that will inspire your creativity and deepen your understanding of the art of calligraphy. Don't worry if you are a first-timer, any skill level is welcome. Awaken your senses to the beauty of calligraphy. Our instructors will help you. For domestic customers, this is a calligraphy experience centered on kanji. Why not express your heart through calligraphy? Write your favorite characters, mottos, and words for loved ones in kanji. Why not spend a rich, brief moment, slowly settling your mind and feeling the aroma of ink? For first-timers and experienced people alike. Awaken your senses to the beauty of calligraphy. Our instructors will support you carefully. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced person, you can relax and enjoy making memories of your trip! The room is a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, but you can choose to practice calligraphy at a table with a Terakoya desk and chair in seiza. Let's enjoy experiences that you can't usually have, from practicing on Hanshi paper to creating works on colored paper and postcards! ~Experience flow~ ①Explanation of the experience plan and hearing. (5 minutes) While drinking tea, we will ask you about today's plan. ②The teacher will create a sample. (5 minutes) The teacher will write a sample of the desired calligraphy style and decide the activity content. ③Start practicing on Hannsi (Japanese calligraphy paper) (20 minutes) You will practice freely while adding explanations of brushes and kanji. Even if it's your first time, you can practice as many sheets as you like with free expression. ④A lecture before finishing the final work and an explanation of the points to finish the work. (10 minutes) If you would like to do a large-scale wall calligraphy performance, we will hold a first trial performance. If you wish, we will hold a lecture before finishing your work, such as making Shikishi (traditional Japanese square paper), postcards, or Sensu (traditional Japanese holding fan). After that, you can practice on special paper. Enjoy free expression. ⑤ Completion of the work and a commemorative photo. The finished work will be stamped with a finishing seal, and you will be given a commemorative photo and a digital video upon request. *We can also set a "time extension" for the leisurely time upon request. Up to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

[Hyogo, Sumoto] Experience something out of the ordinary at Senkoji Temple, located on Sakiyama, which is said to be the first mountain to be created in Japan in the "creation mythology" <copying sutras experience>

Plan ID:58443 Hyogo / Awaji Island Hobby / Cultural experience / Traditional culture experience / Calligraphy experience Provide：一般社団法人淡路島観光協会

Age 6～Age 100
2～3 hours
10:00 / 13:00 / 15:00

At Senkoji Temple, which boasts a history of 1100 years and has a temple on the summit of Sakiyama, a sacred mountain on Awaji Island, you can visit the main hall while enjoying the view of Sumoto City, one of the eight scenic views of Sumoto, and experience a sutra copying experience in a mysterious silence, which is an extraordinary experience. If you wish, you can also visit Iwato Shrine after the experience. Sakiyama, also known as Awaji Fuji, is said to be the first mountain created in Japan in the legend of the creation of the world by the gods Izanagi and Izanami. At Senkoji Temple, which has a temple on the summit of Sakiyama, you can experience copying sutras. First, you can climb about 200 steps to tour the grounds of Senkoji Temple, learn about the origins of Senkoji Temple, and see the place where the Awaji Island custom of "Dango Korogashi", which is rare nationwide, is performed at the temple. You will also be greeted by a lion-like boar, instead of a lion-dog, enshrined in front of the main hall. Because it is a temple on the mountaintop, you can see the central and southern part of Awaji Island, and if the weather is good, you can see the Naruto Strait and Wakayama. Return to the temple office and go to the "Daishido" to experience copying sutras. In copying sutras, you will copy the general Heart Sutra. Place the paper on top of the model Heart Sutra and copy it with a brush pen. Beginners are also welcome. By copying the characters in a solemn space, you can spend a valuable time reflecting on yourself. You can donate the copy to the temple or take it home. After the experience, you can also visit "Iwato Shrine", a popular power spot that enshrines a huge rock where Amaterasu Omikami hid herself, about 10 minutes down from the temple. (Please note that this is a full-scale mountain path) Experience schedule (for example, if the tour starts at 13:00) Meet at 13:00 *Walk around the temple grounds, including visiting the main hall (guided by the head priest Okazaki) 14:00 Experience copying sutras at the Daishido (approx. 30 minutes to 1 hour) 15:00 Scheduled end *After the tour, you can walk around the temple grounds and visit Iwato Shrine (on your own). It takes about 10 minutes to walk one way up the mountain path to Iwato Shrine.

[Kanagawa, Kamakura] Zazen (zazen) experience at a temple that is a 2-minute walk from Kamakura Station! Want to maintain your mind and body?

Plan ID:16763 Kanagawa / Kamakura Hobby / Cultural experience / Spiritual mission experience Provide：SAMURAI Project

Age 10～Age 100
1～2 hours /2～3 hours
09:30 / 13:30 / 15:30

Kamakura is a popular tourist destination for Japanese and foreign visitors. It is a place where many Japanese traditions have been preserved along with nature. And it was a birthplace of the Kamakura shogunate known as the samurai regime. We are carrying out a SAMURAI Project to offer a Japanese cultural experience at the Kigen-in temple, usually not open to the public, located in the vicinity of JR Kita-Kamakura Station. [Flow of Experience] 1 Handout of materials and explanation about events 2 Drawing of zen art with a brush 3 Guidance by Head of Monk of Kigen-in upon zazen 4 First zazen experience 5 Second zazen experience 6 Lecture by Head of Monk of Kigen-in upon zen philosophy with use of explanatory pictures 7 Third zazen experience 8 Another drawing of zen art on Sekishu Banshi (traditional handmade paper, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) 9 Commentary on zen art and sharing of impression of experience 10 Event end * Please be noted that the order of the event may vary depending upon circumstance on the day of event. [Time required] 3-3.5 hours * Please pay admission fee (300 yen) of Engakuji temple and also pay money offering as usual when you visit a shrine or temple.