Soto Sorin Iwayama Asahi-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 through a Zen experience, enjoy the scent by making cabos smell bags, and adjust your body with vegetarian cuisine. This is a program where you can exchange words while listening to Zen's knowledge and tales from Kudo priests, relieve yourself from the stress of worries and anxiety that you have every day, refresh your mind and body, and get a change in mind and vitality.

[Program Overview]
◆Reservation period Thursday, August 1, 2024
◆Experience period Tuesday, October 1, 2024 - Held as needed
◆Please contact us for details.
◆From 10:30 to 2.5 hours to 3 hours
◆Location Soto Sorin Iwayama Asahiji Temple
◆Exclusion day Obon (8/1 to 8/16), equinoctial week (September), New Year's holiday (12/28 to 1/5)
◆7,700 yen / 1 person (tax included)
◆Limited to 1 to 5 people
◆Age: 12 years or older
◆Up to 7 days prior to the application date
◆Contents included in the experience
・Matcha hospitality
・Either zazen, sutra, or Buddha (one type can be selected per set.)
・Making Cabos' original smell bag
・The hospitality of vegetarian dishes
・Daruma's Goshuin

"Knotting Vit" profile
Takumoto Kudo Sorin Iwayama Asahiji priest: Born in Hiji-machi, Oita
Asahiji is a temple that has been loved by the locals for a long time since the Edo period, supporting local people since the grandfather of the priest Kudo priest. The priest Kudo, 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 temples, plan events with the community, and strive to spread Zen if we can have time to relax as much as possible. I have been in contact with people with sincerity that if my own activities can get as many people as possible to save themselves, I can feel calm. Since 2010, he has been working at the Oita Prefectural Soto sect of Oita Prefecture and has been conducting educational activities, and is currently actively engaged in sanzen guidance and tales, 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 wrapped in nature, concentrate in zazen (shokyo or shabutsu), lose your heart, and experience your stay time at Asahi-ji Temple using your five senses. By doing so, you will prepare your mind and body.

According to Asahi-ji Temple, incense was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism. Smell bag is one of the ways to enjoy incense, and with the scent of the fragrance, you can feel calm and calm. In this program, you can experience making original smell bags that mix the flavors by yourself, adding caboss flavors, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, as you like. You can also learn about the origin of the smell bag, the culture of incense and the characteristics of the fragrance used. After serving the finished smell bag in front of the Buddha, please take it home.

Based on brown rice porridge 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 the Danya. (Menus vary depending on the season.)

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