Zazen Meditation in Japan

During zazen, participants sit in a stable posture — either full lotus (kekkafuza), half lotus (hankafuza), or kneeling on a bench (seiza) — on a zafu cushion placed on a zabuton mat. The eyes are kept half-open, cast downward at a 45-degree angle, and the hands rest in the cosmic mudra (left hand in right, thumbs lightly touching). The fundamental instruction is to focus awareness on the breath — specifically on each out-breath — while allowing thoughts to arise and pass without grasping. In Rinzai Zen, practitioners may also work on a koan (a paradoxical question such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"). Sitting periods (typically 25 to 45 minutes) are interspersed with kinhin (slow walking meditation) to restore circulation. A Zen monk supervises the session and may use a flat wooden staff (kyosaku) to strike practitioners on the shoulders on request to dispel sleepiness.

Yes. The vast majority of public zazen programs at Kyoto temples explicitly welcome non-Buddhists and international visitors. Zazen is presented as a contemplative practice rather than a religious conversion experience — the same way yoga classes are not considered Hindu rituals. Shunkoin Temple in Myoshin-ji, Ryosoku-in in Kenninji, and the Kyoto International Zen Center all conduct sessions in English with no prerequisite of Buddhist belief. Even at Japanese-language sessions at Tofuku-ji, Daitoku-ji, and Nanzen-ji, the physical instructions are brief and easily followed. Reservations are usually required for all programs; walk-ins are only permitted at a small number of temples (check each temple's website). The single etiquette requirement that surprises many visitors is to turn off mobile phones and maintain silence from the moment of entering the meditation hall.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to sit cross-legged without restriction — the same attire as for yoga is appropriate. Avoid very short skirts or shorts (the meditation posture requires covering the legs), jeans (too stiff for sitting 45 minutes without moving), and clothing with bold logos or images that would be out of place in a temple. Socks are required as footwear is removed at the entrance. Some temples provide a plain kimono-style wrap (samue or juban) that can be worn over regular clothes, which is both comfortable and traditional. Women should bring a hair tie if they have long hair, as hair falling forward distracts both concentration and the instructor. Bring no valuables to the meditation hall — bags are left in the entrance area.

For English-speaking beginners, Shunkoin Temple (within the Myoshin-ji complex) is the most recommended starting point: the resident minister Rev. Takafumi Kawakami conducts bi-monthly sessions in English at 9:30 and 11:00 on weekends (¥1,800, reservation required at shunkoin.com). Ryosoku-in at Kenninji offers English zazen workshops (¥3,000, reserve in advance). For a free Japanese-language session with the atmosphere of an active monastery, Tofuku-ji holds zazen at 5:30 am on Sunday mornings and the first and third Saturday of each month. Daitoku-ji's Zuiho-in subtemple holds monthly zazen open to the public (about ¥1,000). For a multi-day immersive experience, Eiheiji Monastery in Fukui Prefecture (2 hours from Kyoto) offers 1–2 night zazen training stays (¥7,000–¥10,000 per night including meals) that provide the most authentic Soto Zen practice. Book Eiheiji 3–6 months in advance as capacity is limited.