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Fukuozan Shogakuji Day Training: Zazen, Shojin Cuisine, and Sutra Copying

4.00· 4 reviews

Highlights

  • Experience mini training at the popular Shogakuji Temple
  • Reset your mind and body, through zazen, dharma talks, and shojin cuisine
  • This tour is conducted in Japanese only

What to expect

＼＼Highlights of Shogakuji Shukubo／／ ●Mini Training at a Popular Temple: Join the popular temple, visited by around 1,000 people annually for shukubo experiences, for a mini training session! Enjoy zazen, shojin cuisine, dharma talks, and samu in a convenient day trip.

●Eating is Living: Face your food with gratitude and savor traditional tenzo ryori (shojin cuisine) while learning Soto Zen dining etiquette.

●Find Peace at a Mountain Temple: Confront yourself quietly and reset your mind at this ancient mountain temple. Consultations with the head priest are available. A plan with sutra copying experience is also offered!

 Fukuozan Shogakuji Temple  Nestled in the nature-rich Naguri mountains near Hanno City, Saitama, Fukuozan Shogakuji offers a serene environment with bird songs, river sounds, and a star-filled sky. Founded in 1483 by Zen Master Hōkon Honshitsu and revitalized in 1577 by Zen Master Zonjū Hōshitsu, it feels like the "Karuizawa of Saitama."

What's included

  • Zazen Meditation,Dharma Talk ,Guidance on Meal Etiquette ,Samu (Cleaning and Maintenance) ,Consultation for Personal Concerns
  • Lunch
  • Sutra copying experience

About this experience

Starting at
09:00, 11:30

Schedule

  1. Enter Shogakuji Temple
  2. *The following schedule is an example. The order of activities may change.
    Nestled quietly in a serene mountain village, Shogakuji Temple offers a day in the life of a monk, including zazen meditation, tenzo ryori (shojin ryori), samu (temple work), and dharma talks.

    *This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
  3. Zazen Meditation (Approx. 40 minutes)
    The experience begins with a call to correct your posture and the phrase, "Please guide us for zazen training." In Soto Zen's "shikantaza," you abandon the desire for enlightenment and focus solely on zazen. Correct your posture, regulate breathing, and calm mind to connect deeply with yourself.
  4. Dharma Talk (Approx. 30-50 minutes)
    This is a rare opportunity to listen directly to the head priest's dharma talk. With your mind and heart emptied by zazen, the words of the Buddha will gently permeate your being. Listen quietly for life hints from the Buddha.
  5. Sutra Copying Experience (Approx. 60 minutes)
    Sutra copying involves transcribing Buddhist scriptures. By writing each character with intention, you may discover insights within yourself. It's a rare moment to face yourself and listen to your inner voice amidst daily life.
  6. Tenzo Ryori (Shojin Ryori)
    Lunch consists of tenzo ryori (shojin ryori). "Tenzo" refers to the role of preparing meals for monks in a Zen temple. The food is prepared with the belief that "when the hearts of the cook and the eater resonate in joy, even the silent ingredients will attain enlightenment."
  7. Eating as Practice: Learning from Zen Master Dogen
    Hold your chopsticks at eye level and follow the head priest in reciting the "Five Contemplations." In Soto Zen, meals are taken in silence, focusing solely on eating as a form of practice. This allows you to savor the food deeply and mindfully.
  8. Eating is Living
    Zen Master Dogen taught that "those who face food with gratitude and eat with beautiful manners naturally embody Buddha's teachings." Tenzo ryori returns you to the roots of food, nourishing both body and mind. The head priest will guide you on proper utensil handling and cleaning.
  9. Samu (Cleaning and Maintenance)
    You will clean the main hall and the corridors in front of it. This practice purifies your mind through sincere and careful cleaning. Reflect on your heart, organize your thoughts, and perform the task with gratitude.
  10. End of Experience

Location and Directions

  • Check-in / Check-out

    Fukuozan Shogakuji Temple

    2326 Kaminaguri, Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture 357-0111

    Fukuozan Shogakuji Temple — 2326 Kaminaguri, Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture 357-0111
    ●If You Are Coming by Train
    About 55 minutes by Kokusai Kogyo Bus (Nagou or Yunozawa line) from Seibu Ikebukuro Line Hanno Station or JR Higashi-Hanno Station.
    Get off at the "Nagou" bus stop and walk for about 1 minute.

    ▷Kokusai Kogyo Bus Hanno Station Timetable
    http://transfer.navitime.biz/5931bus/pc/diagram/BusDiagram?orvCode=00021942&course=0001000934&stopNo=1

    ●If You Are Coming by Car
    About 35 minutes towards Naguri from Ken-O Expressway (Hidaka-Hanno Interchange or Ome Interchange)

    Parking information

    Free on-site parking available.

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Restrictions

  • "No Meat, No Alcohol Beyond This Gate"
    During zazen practice, alcohol, tobacco, and similar items are prohibited. The use of mobile phones is also generally not allowed.
  • This tour is conducted in Japanese only.

What to bring

  • For Zazen, please wear comfortable clothing such as training wear or slacks that allow you to easily cross your legs. Since zazen is practiced barefoot, it is convenient to have easily removable socks.
  • Winter Precautions: the mountain temple gets very cold in winter. Please wear thick socks and take measures to stay warm.

Operated by

Shougakuji Shukubo (Code:189260)

Cancellation policy

  • 1-2 business days before (by 6:00 PM local time): 20%
  • 0-1 business day before (by 6:00 PM local time): 50%
  • Within 1 hours of start (local time): 100%

Reviews

4.00
4 reviews
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42
31
20
10

Guest photos 1

It finished earlier than planned.
Posted Date: 2026/07/13
MOKA
There was no work session, just a flow of zazen, meals, and sutra copying. It might have been because there was only one participant, but the scheduled end time of 4:00 PM was reached by 1:30 PM. Since it was a training experience, I didn't expect a clear timeline, but I would have appreciated a rough estimate.坐禅、お食事、写経という流れで、作務はありませんでした。
参加者は1人だけというのもあったかもしれませが、16:00終了予定が13:30には終了しました。
修行体験なので、明確な時間を明示してほしいとは思いませんでしたが、おおよその目安は教えてほしかったです。
Machine translated from Japanese
Before it gets cold.
Posted Date: 2024/10/13
くにさん
I experienced zazen (seated meditation), shakyo (sutra copying), and shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Although I wasn't used to sitting in seiza (formal sitting posture) and zazen, it felt different from yoga, and just meditating in the temple away from the hustle and bustle of the city helped me switch my mindset. It would be better if there were more buses available for access, but the extraordinary experience I had was very good.座禅、写経、精進料理を体験してきました。
正座や座禅など慣れていない態勢でしたがヨガとも違い、都会の喧騒をはなれたお寺で座禅しているだけで　気持ちの切り替えができる感じでした。
もう少しアクセスのバスが多く出ていると良いのですが、体験できた非日常体験はとても良かったです。
Machine translated from Japanese
First training experience
Posted Date: 2024/09/08
maha
I was able to clear my mind and refresh myself by doing zazen without thinking about anything. After listening to the temple's talk, I felt like my worries started to fade away. The shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) was very delicious!座禅で何も考えずに頭の中を空っぽにすることができ、リフレッシュになりました。その後お寺さんのお話を聞いて考えていたら悩みがなくなってきた気がしました
精進料理がとても美味しかったです！
Machine translated from Japanese
Reply from Shougakuji Shukubo
Thank you for your hard work the other day. It seems that the heat will continue, so please keep up your efforts every day.先日はご苦労様でした。
まだまだ暑さが続くようでございますが日々ご精進くださいませ。
Machine translated from Japanese
I was able to refresh myself.
Posted Date: 2024/03/08
あき
I visited as a reward for myself and my mother. On the day of our visit, there was snowfall, and we arrived about five minutes late, but both on the phone and in person, we were greeted warmly.

The view of the garden from the room felt like time had stopped due to the snow. Even during zazen, I could hear the sound of melting snow, and afterward, my mind felt very clear.

The shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) was also very delicious.

The monk seemed busy. He had returned from Tokyo the day … I visited as a reward for myself and my mother. On the day of our visit, there was snowfall, and we arrived about five minutes late, but both on the phone and in person, we were greeted warmly.

The view of the garden from the room felt like time had stopped due to the snow. Even during zazen, I could hear the sound of melting snow, and afterward, my mind felt very clear.

The shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) was also very delicious.

The monk seemed busy. He had returned from Tokyo the day before and went out somewhere before we left. Perhaps due to his busyness or the cold, there was no samu (work practice).

During the dharma talk, I was asked if I had any questions, and I was so caught off guard that I couldn't answer, which was very disappointing. Next time, I would like to take a bit more time to study before I go. Thank you very much. 自分と母へのご褒美に訪問させて頂きました。
当日は積雪があり、到着時間が5分ほど遅れてしまいましたが電話先でも訪問した際も快く対応して頂きました。

居室から見えるお庭の景色が、積雪でより時間が止まったような感覚がありました。坐禅中も雪解けの音が聴こえ、終わったあとは頭の中がとてもスッキリしました。

精進料理もとてもおいしかったです。

和尚さんは忙しそうでした。
前日に東京から戻られ、私たちが退出する前にどこかへお出かけされました。
忙しさからか、寒かった為か作務はありませんでした。

また法話の際に何かあります… 自分と母へのご褒美に訪問させて頂きました。
当日は積雪があり、到着時間が5分ほど遅れてしまいましたが電話先でも訪問した際も快く対応して頂きました。

居室から見えるお庭の景色が、積雪でより時間が止まったような感覚がありました。坐禅中も雪解けの音が聴こえ、終わったあとは頭の中がとてもスッキリしました。

精進料理もとてもおいしかったです。

和尚さんは忙しそうでした。
前日に東京から戻られ、私たちが退出する前にどこかへお出かけされました。
忙しさからか、寒かった為か作務はありませんでした。

また法話の際に何かありますか？と聞かれ、突然の事で何も答えられずとても残念でした。次回はもう少し時間をかけて勉強してから行きたいと思いました。ありがとうございました。
Machine translated from Japanese

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