1-day retreat tour: Sennyuji and the Secret Waterfalls of Fushimi Inari

This contemplative tour takes you through beautiful back-road temples and shrines, before heading into the hidden mountain trails behind Fushimi Inari Shrine.

We will begin the day visiting some small yet serene and gorgeous temples in the Sennyuji temple complex. We will learn some background about the historic statues and the key place of those teachings in the development of Buddhist meditation in Japan. We will also see some famous Japanese garden views in one of the remote temples, where the serenity invites contemplative introspection.

Meditation rooms are available in some temple spaces, while in another, we will practice a mini-walking meditation pilgrimage after learning about some of the Japanese pilgrimage traditions.

The tour continues with hidden back-mountain shrines, each offering a special mystique. Some of these areas are used for a traditional Japanese spiritual tradition of “taki-gyo” or “waterfall meditation.” The trails will ultimately lead us around the back, less-traveled paths of Fushimi Inari Shrine, learning how this special famous shrine grew and developed, and the roles it plays in Japanese spirituality.

The variety of environments you can see within a single part of the day should leave a lasting impression, and alongside the practices we do in these spaces, hopefully deep inspiration as well.