Musubibito-Asahi-ji Temple priest, Takumoto Kudo, helps you to experience Zen meditation-

Soto Sorin Ganzan Asahiji Temple is located in Hiji-cho, Oita Prefecture, where the hotel is located, and is rooted in the lives of local people. While wrapped in beautiful nature, you can adjust your mind with a Zen experience, enjoy the scent by making a cabos smell bag, and cook your body with vegetarian dishes. This is a program that allows priest Kudo to exchange words while listening to Zen knowledge and narratives, relieves the stress of daily worries and anxiety, refreshes both mind and body, and gains a change of mind and vitality.

[Program Outline]
◆Reservation period Thursday, August 1, 2024 -
◆Experience period October Tuesday, October 1, 2024 to be held from time to time
◆Please contact us on the date of the event.
◆Time 10:30 ~ 2.5 hours ~ 3 hours
◆Location Soto Sectrin Iwazan Asahi-ji Temple
◆Exclusion Day Obon (August 1-August 16), Ohigan (September), New Year's holidays (December 28-January 5)
◆Price: 7,700 yen / 1 person (tax included)
◆Number of people limited to one group 1 to 5 people
◆Target age 12 years or older
◆Up to 7 days before the application date
◆Content included in the experience
・The hospitality of matcha
・Zazen, Shakyo, or Shabutsu (one type can be selected for each set)
・Cabos Original Smell Bag Making
・Hospitality of Shojin cuisine
・Daruma-san's Goshuin

"Musubibito" Profile
Kudo Takugen, chief priest of Soto Sorin Iwayama Asahi-ji Temple: Born in Hiji-machi, Oita
Asahiji Temple has been a temple that has been loved by locals for a long time since the Edo period, supporting the local people since the grandfather of Kudo priesthood. Kudo, who was born and raised at Asahi-ji Temple, trained since childhood, had deep knowledge and opinions about Zen, and was always searching for what he could do. In a world where there is no room, we open temples, plan events with the community, and strive to spread Zen in order to have time for people to relax even a little. I have been in contact with people with sincerity when I can get as many ways to save myself through my activities, if I can feel calm too. Since 2010, he has been working at the Soto sect Oita Prefectural Somusho and has been engaged in educational activities. Currently, he is actively conducting zen guidance and narratives, 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 rural scenery spreads out in front of you, while being surrounded by nature, concentrate on zazen (shakyo or shabutsu), lose your mind, and experience your stay at Asahi-ji Temple using your five senses. By doing so, you will prepare your mind and body.

According to Asahi-ji Temple, we believe that incense was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism. The smell bag is one of the ways to enjoy incense, and the scent of the blended fragrance makes you feel calm and calm. In this program, you can experience making an original smell bag that mixes the flavors yourself with the cabos flavors, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, in your favorite quantity. You can also learn about the origin of the smell bag, the culture of incense, and the characteristics of the fragrance used. After offering 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 using local vegetables from Danya. (Menus vary depending on the season)

When Mr. Kudo's grandfather was a priest, he drew and distributed a profitable Mr. Daruma, so he became connected with local people. They are still supporting Asahi-ji Temple as a Danke. After preparing your mind and body through a Zen experience, you will be asked to bring back Daruma's red seal (handling of Japanese paper), which is also a symbol of connection with the local community, as a lucky charm.