for solo travelers
Which temple —
suits you?
All five temples below welcome solo visitors. Here's what each one actually looks like in practice — pricing, scheduling, and who each temple is best for.
Can I do zazen alone or with a small group — without joining a tour?
Yes. All of the temples below welcome solo visitors. Most accept bookings any day of the week — morning to evening — as long as their schedule allows. If your dates are flexible, it's usually straightforward to arrange.
The main variable is pricing. Some temples charge a minimum fee equivalent to 5 persons regardless of group size. Others offer fixed individual rates. Here's what each temple actually looks like for a solo traveler:
Jushoin — ¥5,000. Flexible scheduling any day, 8AM–5PM. Minimum fee applies for fewer than 5 persons (equivalent to ¥25,000 solo). If you're a solo traveler who'd prefer a fully private session at your own pace, a solo direct booking is a beautiful choice. If you'd rather join a small group — up to 9 participants, with a guide, interpreter, matcha and wagashi included — the Denei tour is worth considering, at around ¥16,000 per person.
Korin-in — ¥16,000. Scheduled program via activity booking site. A sub-temple of Kodaiji, located in the Higashiyama area near Kiyomizudera — a good option if you're already exploring that part of the city.
Enkoji — ¥2,000. Sunday mornings at 7:00 AM only. Affordable and unhurried — the closest thing to how a monk begins the week. Japanese-language session with written guidance. Reservation by phone required by Saturday 5 PM.
Ryosoku-in — ¥4,000. Self-guided: begins with sutra copying (shakyo), then silent zazen in the main hall following a written pamphlet. No monk instruction. Morning sessions 8:30–9:15 AM. Book via Asoview.
Kosho-ji (Uji) — Led by a French Zen monk, fully in English. Pricing varies by program (4 hrs or 7 hrs). Located in Uji — about 45 min from central Kyoto.
Shunkoin — Scheduled dates only; not available on demand. Tea ceremony combined session around ¥16,000. Overnight retreats available at separate pricing with a limited schedule.
all six temples above welcome solo visitorsI don't speak Japanese. Will I understand anything?
For the practice itself — sitting quietly, following posture cues — language matters very little. Zazen is largely non-verbal.
For instruction and Q&A, it varies. Kosho-ji (Uji) offers a full program entirely in English, led by a French Zen monk. Shunkoin also runs English-language retreats. Jushoin gives zazen instruction in English but recommends an interpreter for the Q&A portion. Enkoji conducts sessions in Japanese only, but provides written guidance.
None of these require you to speak Japanese to have a meaningful experience.
Will I get hit with that stick? Is it painful?
The keisaku (warning stick) is part of traditional Rinzai Zen training. In most visitor sessions, it is offered, not imposed — you can decline, and most temples will not use it unless you actively request it.
If this is a concern, simply mention it when you book. No temple on this list will strike a visitor without consent.
the keisaku is ritual, not punishment — it's a tap on the shoulder muscles to relieve tensionHow far in advance do I need to book?
It varies significantly by temple. Enkoji requires a phone reservation by Saturday 5PM for the following Sunday. Taizo-in asks for 2 weeks to 2 months notice for groups. Ryosoku-in's individual sessions can often be booked same-day via Asoview.
Jushoin recommends booking 3 days to 3 months in advance — but last-minute requests are considered when there is availability. If you're already in Kyoto, it's worth asking.
In general: the more flexible your timing, the easier it is to arrange on short notice.
Which temple is right for me?
It depends what you're looking for:
If you want to go deep in English — Kosho-ji (Uji) or Shunkoin offer the most intellectually and linguistically immersive options.
If you want flexible timing, any day of the week — Jushoin is available morning to evening on request. Solo travelers may find the Denei guided tour the most practical option.
If you're near Kiyomizudera — Korin-in is conveniently located in that area. Scheduled program, around ¥16,000.
If you want an affordable early-morning practice — Enkoji offers Sunday 7AM sessions from ¥2,000, close to how a monk begins the week.
If you're in Gion and want something self-paced — Ryosoku-in at Kenninji offers individual morning sessions you can book online.
If you want full English immersion — Kosho-ji (Uji) is led by a French Zen monk entirely in English, though it's about 45 min from central Kyoto.
If you want an overnight retreat — Shunkoin offers multi-day programs in English, on fixed scheduled dates.
I've never meditated before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Every temple on this list explicitly welcomes beginners. Zazen instruction begins from the very basics — posture, breathing, how to hold your hands. You don't need prior experience, a special cushion, or any particular belief.
The only thing asked of you is willingness to sit still and pay attention. That's something anyone can do.
for solo travelers
Which temple —
suits you?
All five temples below welcome solo visitors. Here's what each one actually looks like in practice — pricing, scheduling, and who each temple is best for.
Can I do zazen alone or with a small group — without joining a tour?
Yes. All of the temples below welcome solo visitors. Most accept bookings any day of the week — morning to evening — as long as their schedule allows. If your dates are flexible, it's usually straightforward to arrange.
The main variable is pricing. Some temples charge a minimum fee equivalent to 5 persons regardless of group size. Others offer fixed individual rates. Here's what each temple actually looks like for a solo traveler:
Jushoin — ¥5,000. Flexible scheduling any day, 8AM–5PM. Minimum fee applies for fewer than 5 persons (equivalent to ¥25,000 solo). If you're a solo traveler who'd prefer a fully private session at your own pace, a solo direct booking is a beautiful choice. If you'd rather join a small group — up to 9 participants, with a guide, interpreter, matcha and wagashi included — the Denei tour is worth considering, at around ¥16,000 per person.
Korin-in — ¥16,000. Scheduled program via activity booking site. A sub-temple of Kodaiji, located in the Higashiyama area near Kiyomizudera — a good option if you're already exploring that part of the city.
Enkoji — ¥2,000. Sunday mornings at 7:00 AM only. Affordable and unhurried — the closest thing to how a monk begins the week. Japanese-language session with written guidance. Reservation by phone required by Saturday 5 PM.
Ryosoku-in — ¥4,000. Self-guided: begins with sutra copying (shakyo), then silent zazen in the main hall following a written pamphlet. No monk instruction. Morning sessions 8:30–9:15 AM. Book via Asoview.
Kosho-ji (Uji) — Led by a French Zen monk, fully in English. Pricing varies by program (4 hrs or 7 hrs). Located in Uji — about 45 min from central Kyoto.
Shunkoin — Scheduled dates only; not available on demand. Tea ceremony combined session around ¥16,000. Overnight retreats available at separate pricing with a limited schedule.
all six temples above welcome solo visitorsI don't speak Japanese. Will I understand anything?
For the practice itself — sitting quietly, following posture cues — language matters very little. Zazen is largely non-verbal.
For instruction and Q&A, it varies. Kosho-ji (Uji) offers a full program entirely in English, led by a French Zen monk. Shunkoin also runs English-language retreats. Jushoin gives zazen instruction in English but recommends an interpreter for the Q&A portion. Enkoji conducts sessions in Japanese only, but provides written guidance.
None of these require you to speak Japanese to have a meaningful experience.
Will I get hit with that stick? Is it painful?
The keisaku (warning stick) is part of traditional Rinzai Zen training. In most visitor sessions, it is offered, not imposed — you can decline, and most temples will not use it unless you actively request it.
If this is a concern, simply mention it when you book. No temple on this list will strike a visitor without consent.
the keisaku is ritual, not punishment — it's a tap on the shoulder muscles to relieve tensionHow far in advance do I need to book?
It varies significantly by temple. Enkoji requires a phone reservation by Saturday 5PM for the following Sunday. Taizo-in asks for 2 weeks to 2 months notice for groups. Ryosoku-in's individual sessions can often be booked same-day via Asoview.
Jushoin recommends booking 3 days to 3 months in advance — but last-minute requests are considered when there is availability. If you're already in Kyoto, it's worth asking.
In general: the more flexible your timing, the easier it is to arrange on short notice.
Which temple is right for me?
It depends what you're looking for:
If you want to go deep in English — Kosho-ji (Uji) or Shunkoin offer the most intellectually and linguistically immersive options.
If you want flexible timing, any day of the week — Jushoin is available morning to evening on request. Solo travelers may find the Denei guided tour the most practical option.
If you're near Kiyomizudera — Korin-in is conveniently located in that area. Scheduled program, around ¥16,000.
If you want an affordable early-morning practice — Enkoji offers Sunday 7AM sessions from ¥2,000, close to how a monk begins the week.
If you're in Gion and want something self-paced — Ryosoku-in at Kenninji offers individual morning sessions you can book online.
If you want full English immersion — Kosho-ji (Uji) is led by a French Zen monk entirely in English, though it's about 45 min from central Kyoto.
If you want an overnight retreat — Shunkoin offers multi-day programs in English, on fixed scheduled dates.
I've never meditated before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Every temple on this list explicitly welcomes beginners. Zazen instruction begins from the very basics — posture, breathing, how to hold your hands. You don't need prior experience, a special cushion, or any particular belief.
The only thing asked of you is willingness to sit still and pay attention. That's something anyone can do.