Rev. Taka Talks about Mindfulness at TED x Kyoto

Monday, May 1, 2017

Schedule of Zen and Mindfulness Classes in English from May 1st to June 16th, 2017


Our Zen and mindfulness session focus on teaching you how to use Zen philosophy and meditation practice in your daily lives and to live happier and healthier lives.

Rev. Taka Kawakami is a Zen Buddhist priest. Also, he completed the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Program's SIY Enage prorgam. By using both traditional Zen Buddhism practice and modern mindfulness methods, he can help you to find the ways to live happier and healthier lives.

Imagine the good you could do for yourself and others by learning and practicing Zen philosophy and mindfulness practices.  

The fee is 2,500 yen/person for the meditation class and tour (with maccha green tea and Japanese stweets)

*This temple is a private temple. We are open for scheduled meditation classes and staying guests at our guest house only to keep the calm atmosphere for our visitors for Zen meditation class and staying guests.

May 1st (Mon)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservatin required)

May 2nd (Tues)
No meditation class and tour

May 3rd (Wed)
No meditation class and tour

May 4th (Thurs)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)
11:00 - 12:30 in Japanese (no reservation required)

日本語の部は11:00-12:30となります。 予約は不要です。

May 5th (Fri)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 6th (Sat)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required) 

May 7th (Sun)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required) 

May 8th (Mon)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required) 

May 9th (Tues)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)


May 10th (Wed)
No meditation class and tour

May 11th (Thurs)
No meditation class and tour

May 12th (Fri)
No meditation class and tour

May 13th (Sat)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 14th (Sun)
No meditation class and tour

May 15th (Mon)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 16th (Tues)
No meditation class and tour

May 17th (Wed)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)


May 18th (Thurs)
9:30 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
No tour after the class  The fee: 1,500 yen/person

May 19th (Fri)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 20th (Sat)
No meditation class and tour

May 21st (Sun)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 22nd (Mon)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 23rd (Tues)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 24th (Wed)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 25th (Thurs)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 26th (Fri)
No meditation class and tour

May 27th (Sat)
No meditation class and tour

May 28th (Sun)
No meditation class and tour

May 29th (Mon)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

May 30th (Tues)
9:30 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
Meditation class only.  No tour. The fee is 1,500 yen/person

May 31st (Wed)
No meditation class and tour

June 1st (Thurs)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

June 2nd (Fri)
No meditation class and tour

June 3rd (Sat)
9:30 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
Meditation class only. No tour. The fee is 1,500 yen/person

June 4th (Sun)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)

June 5th (Mon) - 15th (Thurs)
No meditation class and tour

June 16th (Fri)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (no reservation required)




 Zen Mindfulness Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Traditional Zen Philosophy and Application to Your Everyday Life

Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. one 20-minute meditation and one 5- minute meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:30 - 11:00 (or occasionally 9:00 - 10:30) , no reservation is required. 

However, please make the reservation to attend our 11:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 15:30 class at least 5 days in advance. Our 11:00 -12:30 class and 14:00 - 15:30 class is for a group of more than 10 people.

The Fee: 2,500 yen/person

We offer private meditation sessions by special requests (30,000 yen -), as well. Please contact us for more details.

Corporate wellness and training programs are also available.



Now, our new temple lodging facility is available. We just opened our new facility on December 10th, 2012. 

There are atatami flooring, own shower room and toilet. Each room can have 2- 3 Japanese futons. Linens and towels are provided.

Shunkoin Temple is also located near the three UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji Temple, and Ninnaji Temple. 

We have started taking individual reservations for May, June, July, August, and September, 2017. For the group reservation (more than 10 people or university groups), please contact us.

New Prices are;
  • Single person use: 6,520 yen/person/night + 8 % sales tax
  • Two people: 5,520 yen/person/night + 8 % sales tax
  • Three people: 5,020 yen/person/night + 8 % sales tax 
  • Student discount: 500 yen/person off for each night (except 3/20 - 5/10, 7/1 - 7/31, 10/1- 11/30, and 12/25 - 1/5) if you show us your student ID at your check-in 
  • Returning guest discount: 500 yen/person off for each night (except 3/20 - 5/10, 7/1 - 7/31, 10/1- 11/30, and 12/25 - 1/5)
  • University and school group discount: please contact us for the details 

For more details about Zen mindfulness class and tour or reserving the temple accommodations, please visit our website below or contact us via email.

Website: http://www.shunkoin.com

Email: rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com

Address:  42 Myoshinji-cho, Hanazono, Uko-ku
              Kyoto 616-8035
              JAPAN

Tel: 075-462-5488