• Tofuku-ji Temple - Tofuku-ji stands as one of Kyoto’s most significant Zen temples, established in the 13th century. Renowned for its impressive scale and profound cultural importance, it is one of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto. Although visitors cannot pass through its enormous Sanmon Gate, standing before this majestic wooden structure is awe-inspiring—it is the oldest existing Zen gate in Japan, symbolizing the transition from the secular world to spiritual enlightenment. The temple grounds embody centuries of Zen dedication, offering a journey filled with grandeur, history, and serene reverence.
• Tofuku-ji Hojo (Abbot’s Quarters) - The Hojo gardens encircling the abbot’s quarters at Tofuku-ji are a contemporary interpretation of the Zen dry landscape, crafted in 1939 by the renowned garden artist Mirei Shigemori. These gardens capture the essence of nature through abstraction rather than imitation: bold checkerboard moss patterns, raked gravel fields, and asymmetrical stone arrangements surround the building in perfectly balanced asymmetry. Each side offers a unique meditation on space, stillness, and symbolism, inviting viewers to experience nature through imagination and emotion rather than mere representation. It is a modern masterpiece of Japanese aesthetics deeply rooted in timeless Zen philosophy.
• Tofuku-ji Tsutenkyo Bridge - Tsutenkyo Bridge is one of Kyoto’s most iconic viewpoints, a covered wooden corridor elegantly spanning a tree-filled ravine known as Sengyokukan. Walking along the bridge feels like stepping into a living scroll painting—lush green in spring, fiery red in autumn, and misty in the early morning light. The architecture is designed to frame nature rather than dominate it, allowing visitors to experience the passage through space as a seasonal journey. It offers more than just a photo opportunity; it is a moment of harmony between human architecture and the rhythm of the natural world.
• Komyo-in Temple - Hidden away from the crowds, Komyo-in is a small subtemple of Tofuku-ji celebrated for its tranquil atmosphere and one of Kyoto’s most intimate dry landscape gardens. Designed by Mirei Shigemori, the Hashin-tei Garden (“Garden of the Heart’s Reflection”) combines white gravel, moss, and asymmetrically placed stones in a composition that encourages deep contemplation. Unlike more formal or grand temple gardens, Komyo-in provides a personal, almost private experience of Zen beauty—one where visitors can sit, breathe, and let the garden’s stillness gently guide their thoughts. It is a quiet treasure that speaks to the soul through simplicity.

• Guided walking tour
• Expert insights into Zen philosophy and garden design

This tour distinguishes itself with its profound tranquility and emphasis on meaning—a leisurely journey into Kyoto’s Zen essence via two extraordinary temples. Accompanied by an expert guide, participants will explore Tofuku-ji’s striking contemporary gardens, traverse the renowned Tsutenkyo Bridge, and then enter the secluded peace of Komyo-in, a lesser-known subtemple featuring a meditative moss-and-stone garden. Throughout the tour, participants will discover how Zen design conveys stillness, impermanence, and harmony—not merely through beauty, but through space, silence, and intention. This experience transcends typical sightseeing; it offers a mindful encounter with Kyoto at its most reflective.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.