Rev. Taka Talks about Mindfulness at TED x Kyoto

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Schedule of Zen & Mindfulness Classes from Dec. 10th, 2017 to Jan. 15th, 2018


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 and the researcher at Keio Media Design in Keio University. Also, at Mind & Life Institute's ISCS 2016, he lead Zen meditation sessions as a contemplative faculty. He completed Search Inside Yourself's SIY Engaged program in 2016. 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 matcha green tea and Japanese sweets)

*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.*

***From Dec. 14th to Feb. 28th, we will use the smaller meditation facility due to the roof restoration of our main meditation facility. Thus, we recommend you to make a reservation for the meditation class and tour.***

December 10th (Sun.)
No meditation class and tour 

December 11th (Mon.)
No meditation class and tour due to the annual ceremony at Myoshinji Temple    

December 12th (Tues.)
No meditation class and tour due to the annual ceremony at Myoshinji Temple  

December 13th (Wed.)
No meditation class and tour 

December 14th (Thurs.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

December 15th (Fri.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

December 16th (Sat.)
No meditation class and tour

December 17th (Sun.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 25 people)

December 18th (Mon.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

December 19th (Tues.)
No meditation class and tour

December 20th (Wed.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

December 21st (Thurs.)
No meditation class and tour

December 22nd (Fri.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

December 23rd (Sat.)
No meditation class and tour

December 24th (Sun.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 25 people)

December 25th (Mon.)
No meditation class and tour

December 26th (Tues.)
No meditation class and tour

December 27th (Wed.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (already full)
11:00 - 12:30 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)


December 28th (Thurs.)
No meditation class and tour

December 29th (Fri.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (already full)

11:00 - 12:30 in English (already full) 

December 30th (Sat.)
9:30 - 10:30 in English (already full) Meditation class only.  No tour.  The fee: 2,000 yen.  


December 31st (Sun.)
No meditation class and tour     

January 1st (Mon.)
No meditation class and tour due to the new year's ceremony at the Buddha hall of Myoshinji Temple (7:00 - 11:00)

January 2nd (Tues.)
No meditation class and tour due to the new year's ceremony at the Buddha hall of Myoshinji Temple (7:00 - 9:00)

January 3rd (Wed.)
No meditation class and tour due to the new year's ceremony at the Buddha hall of Myoshinji Temple (7:00 - 10:00)

January 4th (Thurs.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (already full)

11:00 - 12:30 in English (reservation required & maximum capacity: 25 people)

January 5th (Fri.)
No meditation class and tour

January 6th (Sat.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 25 people)  

January 7th (Sun.)
No meditation class and tour

January 8th (Mon.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

January 9th (Tues.)
No meditation class and tour

January 10th (Wed.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

January 11th (Thurs.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

January 12th (Fri.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended & maximum capacity: 24 people)

January 13th (Sat.)
9:30 - 10:30 in English (reservation recommended: maximum capacity: 24 people)  Meditation class only.  No tour.  The fee: 2,000 yen/person.

January 14th (Sun.)
No meditation class and tour

January 15th (Mon.)
9:30 - 11:00 in English (reservation recommended: maximum capacity: 24 people)

                                                                                                  

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 October, November, and December, 2017 and January and February, 2018. For the group reservation (more than 10 people or university groups), please contact us.

New Prices (since November, 2017) are;
  • Single person use: 7,000 yen/person/night + 8 % sales tax
  • Two people: 6,000 yen/person/night + 8 % sales tax
  • Three people: 5,500 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 (Office hour: 8:00 - 20:00)
*Please be careful about the time difference.