Musubibito-Asahiji priest Takumoto Kudo helps you to experience Zen meditation-

Soto Shurin Ganzan Asahi-ji Temple is located in Hiji-cho, Oita Prefecture, where our hotel is located, and is rooted in the lives of local people. While being wrapped in beautiful nature, you can adjust your mind with a Zen experience, enjoy the scent by making a cabos smell bag, and prepare your body with vegetarian dishes. This is a program where you can exchange words while listening to Zen tips and tricks from the priest Kudo, relieve yourself from the stress of worries and anxiety that you have every day, refresh your mind and body, get a change of mind and vitality.

[Overview of the Program]
◆Reservation Period From August 1, 2024 (Thursday)
◆Experience period Tuesday, October 1, 2024 to be held at any time
◆Please contact us on the date of the event.
◆Opening hours: 10:30 to about 2.5 hours to 3 hours
◆Place: Soto sect Rin Iwasan Asahi-ji Temple
◆Exclusion Day Bon Festival (August 1 to August 16), Ohigan (September), New Year's holidays (December 28 to January 5)
◆Price: 7,700 yen / 1 person (tax included)
◆Number of people limited to 1 to 5 people
◆Target age 12 years or older
◆Up to 7 days before the application date
◆Content included in the experience
・Matcha hospitality
・Zazen, Shakyo, Shabutsu (one type can be selected for each set)
・Making Cabos original smell bag
・Hospitality of Shojin cuisine
・Daruma-san's Goshuin

"Musubibito" Profile
Kudo Takugen: priest of Soto sect Rin Iwayama Asahi-ji Temple: Born in Hiji-machi, Oita
Asahiji Temple has been around since the Edo period, has been supporting the local people since the grandfather of Kudo priest, and has been loved by the local community for a long time. Kudo, who was born and raised in Asahi-ji Temple, trained since childhood, had deep knowledge and views on Zen, and was always searching for what he could do. In a world where there is no room, we open the temple and plan events together with the community to spread Zen in order to have time for people to relax even a little. I have been in contact with people with sincerity that if I can get as many ways as possible to save myself through my activities, I can also feel calm. Since 2010, he has been working at the Soto sect Oita Prefectural Office, and is currently actively conducting zen guidance and lecturing, and is working hard to support more people.

Asahi-ji Temple is located in Hiji-cho, Oita Prefecture, where the hotel is located, and is rooted in the lives of local people. On a small hill where the countryside spreads out in front of you, while being wrapped in nature, concentrate with zazen (shakyo or shabutsu), lose your heart, and experience your stay time at Asahiji using your five senses. By doing so, we will prepare your mind and body.

According to Asahiji, we believe that incense was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism. The smell bag is one of the ways to enjoy incense, and the fragrance of the blended fragrance makes you feel calm and calm. In this program, you can experience making an original smell bag where you can add caboss fragrance, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, in your favorite amount and mix the fragrance yourself. You can also learn about the origins of smell bags, the fragrance culture, and the characteristics of fragrances you use. After serving the finished smell bag in front of the Buddha, please take it home.

Based on brown rice gayu and sesame salt, you can enjoy vegetarian dishes that the priest actually eats on the day, such as soups and pickles made from local vegetables received from Danya. (Menus vary depending on the season)

When Mr. Kudo's grandfather was a priest, he drew and distributed Daruma, who was profitable, so he began to connect with local people. They still support Asahi-ji Temple as Danke. After adjusting your mind and body through a Zen experience, you will bring back Daruma's red seal (handover of Japanese paper bookkeeping), which is also a symbol of connection with the local community, as a lucky charm.