1-Day retreat tour: Meditation at Sennyuji and the Secret Waterfalls of Fushimi Inari
2025-12-07 09:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Tofukuji Sation, 東山区本町12-224, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan
This contemplative tour takes you through beautiful back-road temples and shrines, before heading into the hidden mountain trails behind Fushimi Inari Shrine, mixed with meditation sessions in quiet, serene areas without the tourists.
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.” We will have some meditation sessions and lunch in a typically off-limits shrine room.
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. [You may try out the Taki-gyo experience for an extra 5000 yen! (special clothing, instruction, and tea afterwards will be provided)].
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.
Meeting Place: Tofukuji Station
For questions, contact us at:
note: listed cost includes plant-based lunch, taxes, and entree fees. When registering, please alert us to any feed allergies or dietary restrictions.
(If you would like to register a group of 3 or more, feel free to inquire about group discounts!)

1-Day retreat tour: Secret Waterfalls of Fushimi Inari and Serene Sennyuji
2025-12-20 10:00 - 15:30
This contemplative tour takes you through beautiful back-road temples and shrines, before heading into the hidden mountain trails behind Fushimi Inari Shrine, mixed with meditation sessions in quiet, serene areas without the tourists.
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.” We will have some meditation sessions and lunch in a typically off-limits shrine room.
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.
Meeting Place: Tofukuji Station
For questions, contact us at:
note: taxes, and entree fees. When registering, please alert us to any feed allergies or dietary restrictions.
However, please bring a bento-type lunch for our picnic along the way.
(If you would like to register a group of 3 or more, feel free to inquire about group discounts!)
