Musubibito-Asahi-ji priest Takumoto Kudo will help you to experience Zen meditation-

Soto Shurin Ganzan-ji Temple is a temple rooted in the lives of local people in Hiji-cho, Oita Prefecture, where the hotel is located. 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 adjust your body with vegetarian dishes. This is a program where you can exchange words while listening to Zen knowledge and legal tales from the priest Kudo, relieve yourself from the stress of worries and anxiety that you have every day, refresh your mind and body, change your mind and body, and gain vitality.

[Overview of the Program]
◆Reservation Period From August 1, 2024 (Thursday)
◆Experience period October Tuesday, October 1, 2024 to be held at any time
◆Please contact us for details.
◆Time: 10:30 ~ About 2.5 hours to 3 hours
◆Venue: Soto sect Rin Iwasan 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 prior to the application date
◆Content included in the experience
・Matcha hospitality
・Zazen, Shakyo, or 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: Head 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 locals for a long time. Mr. Kudo, who was born and raised in Asahiji, has trained since childhood, has deep knowledge and views on Zen, and always sought what he could do. In a world where there is no room, we open temples and plan events with the local community to spread Zen in order to have time for people to relax even a little. I have come into contact with people with sincerity, if they can get as many ways as possible to save themselves through their activities, if they can feel calm. Since 2010, he has been working at the Soto sect Oita Prefectural Office and has been conducting indoctrination activities. Currently, he is 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 rural scenery spreads in front of you, while being wrapped in nature, concentrate on zazen (shakyo or Buddha), lose your heart, and experience the time spent at Asahiji using your five senses. By doing so, you will improve your mind and body.

According to Asahiji, incense is believed to have been 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 that mixes perfume, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, in your favorite amount and mixes the fragrance yourself. You can also learn about the origin of smell bags, incense culture, and 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 using local vegetables received from Danya. (Menus vary depending on the season)

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