Saitama Wellness for Takedera Zen Meditation and Hot Spring
Saitama Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, offers a diverse options of experiences that cater to wellness and mindfulness enthusiasts and it's only about an hour away from Tokyo.
This unique offering takes you to Takedera in Hanno City, a distinctive temple where the harmonious blend of Shintoism and Buddhism converges with a vast bamboo forest. While immersing yourself in the tranquility of this spiritual sanctuary, meet your instructor, Mr. Aoyama, for a truly unique experience – learning the art of "suizen," or blowing Zen meditation. This practice is so rare that even many Japanese locals have never encountered it.
After Takedera, your wellness journey continues to the Kirari spa villa at Miyazawako Lake. As one of Saitama's most popular spas, this villa boasts an extensive variety of options - A carbonated pool, open-air baths, hot stone baths, saunas, and more. Spend your afternoon at the spa villa before returning to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Your tour concludes here.
Options
+ Original Vegetarian Lunch
Vegetarian Lunch at Takedera
What's included in Saitama Wellness for Takedera Zen Meditation and Hot Spring
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Takedera
Takedera Temple, the "Bamboo Temple" in Japanese, stands out as a hidden gem in Eastern Japan, preserving the harmonious blend of Shintoism and Buddhism. After arriving at the temple, the priest will give you a tour while explaining the rich history of this spiritual sanctuary. Fully embrace yourself in its tranquility and natural beauty of the bamboo forest.
Takedera
To elevate your meditative journey amidst the bamboo forest, prepare for a transformative experience with "Blowing Zen Meditation" (吹禅瞑想) led by the esteemed musician Masaaki Aoyama. Renowned for his expertise in mindfulness practices, Aoyama seisei will guide you on this profound meditative journey. The music instrument you will be learning for ""Blowing Zen Meditation"" is called shakuhachi (尺八). Different from the modern version of modified shakuhachi and the Western musical scales, the shakuhachi that is made for Zen training is in its natural state and has a soft tone, as if the wind were blowing through an aged bamboo grove.
Miyazawako Onsen Kirari, Annex
Kirari at Miyazawako Lake (approx. 15 mins by car from Takedea Temple) is a Japanese-style spa/onsen villa where you can immerse in a variety of pools, each offering unique therapeutic benefits. Indulge yourself in its tranquility, relaxation, and holistic wellness before returning to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.
Inclusions
- Round-trip transfer to/from Takedera Temple
- English-speaking guide (depart after drop-off at Kirari spa villa)
- Guided tour at Takedera Temple
- Blowing zen "suizen" experiences with a professional instructor
- Admission to Kirari spa villa
- Transportation from Kirari spa villa
- Guide after drop-off at Kirari spa villa
- (Optional) Vegetarian lunch at Takedera Temple
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet up with your guide and the driver or the Priest from Takedera "Bamboo Temple" outside of the South Exit of Hanno Station at 10:00 AM.
End Points
- The tour is concluded at the hot spring/spa villa, Kirari at Miyazawako Lake, in Hanno.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
When you meet up with your guide, please present this ticket. Later your guide will take care of all the admissions including Takedera Temple and Kirari spa villa.
