Kyoto Zen Temple Yoga Fall Foliage Moss Garden Buddhist Meal Kyoto Zen Temple Yoga Fall Foliage Moss Garden Buddhist Meal

Morning/afternoon retreat in a 1600s Kyoto temple closed to the public: gentle yoga facing a garden famed for maples and moss. Temple meal or seasonal Japanese sweets. Small group. No overnight stay.
**Discover the Kyoto you have yet to experience**

Escape the crowds for a tranquil, restorative experience in a hidden Kyoto temple dating back to the 1600s. Closed to the public, this is a living temple and the abbot’s family home, not a tourist attraction. With limited spots per session, it is a side of Kyoto that most locals never get to see, let alone visitors.


***Autumn 2026: 11 sessions in total.***


**Where moss stays green and maples change**

The garden is exquisite in every season: lush moss stays green while the maple trees change with the calendar. In May and June they glow with fresh green leaves, a sight as treasured in Japan as the autumn reds. From November into December, the leaves deepen from gold to orange to crimson against the soft green moss, a scene of unforgettable beauty. Return as often as you like, and it never looks the same twice. As the Japanese say, ichigo ichie: every meeting is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.


**A serene setting for gentle yoga**

On a traditional wooden walkway open to the garden of moss and maples, ease into the session with a moment of meditation. Then let gentle yoga unfold. Here, you feel held by nature, each breath softened by the stillness around you.

A professional instructor guides the session in English. All levels, including beginners, are welcome.

After yoga, settle in with a cup of warm Japanese tea. In the morning, nourish your body with with shojin ryori (traditional Japanese temple cuisine) of seasonal ingredients; in the afternoon, savor freshly made seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) from a renowned, long-established Kyoto confectioner.


**We take the photos, you enjoy the moment**

The moss garden, maple trees and wooden walkway are photogenic, with photo areas following temple rules. A staff member who speaks English, French, Chinese and Japanese is by your side, guiding you through temple etiquette and taking photos without disturbing you, so you can relax. At the end, we take a souvenir photo. All digital photos are included.


**What to expect**

Morning: Yoga + Tea + Temple Lunch
Arrive by 9:20 AM. Ends around 11:50 AM.

Afternoon: Yoga + Tea + Japanese Sweets
Arrive by 2:20 PM. Ends around 4:20 PM.

- Check in, then learn about the history of this renowned temple complex
- Arrive at the hidden sub-temple and change into comfortable clothing
- Meditate, then flow through gentle yoga facing the garden
- Morning: Enjoy tea, then a shojin ryori lunch
- Afternoon: Enjoy tea with freshly made wagashi


**Getting there**

The sub-temple is in the quiet northwest of Kyoto, within the grounds of Myoshinji. We meet at the South Gate.

By train: JR Hanazono Station, 6-minute walk
By bus: Myoshinji-mae stop, 4-minute walk


**Good to know**

- Please let us know about allergies when booking
- Please bring clothing suitable for yoga
- Suitable for most people; no experience needed. If you have an injury or health concern, please consult your doctor and let us know when booking

Om de beschikbaarheid te garanderen, dient u zo snel mogelijk te reserveren. Vroegboekkorting is het overwegen waard, vooral als u de reis plant tijdens het hoogseizoen, zoals op feestdagen of in het weekend.

Deze excursie kunt u kosteloos annuleren tot: annuleringstijd voor aanvang van de reis. Bij annulering na: annulering na: annuleringstijd of niet aanwezig zijn op de excursie wordt de volledige prijs van de activiteit alsnog in rekening gebracht. Te laat komen bij het ophalen of vertrekken wordt beschouwd als niet komen opdagen.