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About 4 hours (zazen experience: about 1.5 hours, walking tour: about 2.5 hours)
Meeting time: 16:00
Dismissal time: 20:00
We will take a walk around Kagurazaka before experiencing zazen.
・Tanaka-ji Temple was founded in 1628 and is a Soto Zen temple with a long history.
Named by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the temple has been famous as a place for zazen meditation since 1640.
・The connection with the Soto Sect's main temple "Eiheiji Temple". The former abbot of this temple was the abbot of Eiheiji Temple. It is a temple that conveys the essence of zazen.
・Monks teach zazen in English, which will be a particularly valuable experience for foreign tourists.
・You can also experience chair zazen.
People who cannot sit cross-legged, people with walking difficulties, or children can experience "chair meditation". If you require "chair meditation", please let us know in advance.
- Kagurazaka is the most recommended spot by Shinjuku City residents to friends, acquaintances, foreign tourists, and other visitors from outside Shinjuku City.
In Shinjuku City’s ranking, Kagurazaka’s ① cultural heritage and temples and shrines (4th), ② culture, arts, and entertainment facilities (5th), 3. business, restaurants, and entertainment facilities (2nd), 4. Historical and modern architecture (4th place), ⑤ nature, parks, and urban landscapes (2nd place), 6. festivals and events (1st place), all ranked in the top 5 in these 6 categories (Source: "Shinjuku City's Charisma Research").
・Kagurazaka is a charming area with various cultural features such as samurai-machi, monzen-machi, flower streets, and shopping streets.
Kagurazaka was built in the early 1600s as a road connecting Tadakatsu Sakai's mansion to Ushigome Gate in Edo Castle. "Elder" is an official position that assists the shogun, and is the highest official position in the Edo shogunate. Since then, Kagurazaka has developed into a temple town centered on Bishamonten (Zenkoji Temple) and Akagi Shrine, and also prospered as a flower street. During the Meiji period, the area was transformed into a town for ordinary citizens after the disappearance of Buka Town. It survived the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and became known as "Yamanote Ginza", becoming one of Tokyo's main downtown areas. In 1952, the Tokyo French-Japanese Institute (now the Tokyo French Institute) was established, and due to the influence of French culture, the area is also known as Japan's "Montmartre". Based on the above, Kagurazaka is a unique city that skillfully combines traditional and modern culture.
・During the plum blossom and cherry blossom viewing seasons, we will take you to secret cherry blossom viewing spots to enjoy the blossoms with a local guide. This special tour is only available during the flower viewing season.
【Charging options】
・Rental outdoor clothing (Patagonia brand)
We can provide you with outdoor clothing rentals suitable for walking. Especially recommended for business travelers who don't want to wear a suit and want to be able to move around comfortably.
・Rental work clothes "Job clothes" are work clothes traditionally worn in Japanese Zen temples. With its calm, earthy colors and easy-to-move design, it's perfect for zazen experiences and walking around traditional towns like Kagurazaka.
Clothing rentals with paid options can be booked on this page, and work clothes rentals can be booked on this page.
【Free option】
・Use the photography service of a single-lens camera to capture the beautiful moments during your trip. You can also use your smartphone or camera to take pictures.
・Rental power bank and mobile phone Wi-Fi
No need to worry about dead batteries or unstable communication.
・AI translator tour guide will carry POCKETALK (AI translator) to support conversation. The machine supports 85 languages, enabling multilingual communication.
・Trash bags provided**
The tour guide will provide trash bags. Don't worry about finding the trash can.