OVERVIEW

Reset your mind and body in the hidden gems of Nara, with an amazing spiritual experience at a historical temple followed by an eye-opening healthy gastronomic encounter by a renowned “food mediciner.”

Each day at the temple begins with sacred rites, sutra chanting, and offerings to Kannon. The temple welcomes visitors from all over the world to experience these morning rituals regardless of their faith or beliefs.

As the sun rises over Hasedera’s serene, mountain-enclosed temple precincts,you are invited to join the monk in the Main Hall.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting tones of the priests reciting their sutras,and observe them conducting their sacred morning rites. Afterward,a monk will guide you into the back of the hall to see the Juichimen Kannon, an eleven-faced statue of Kannon.

Following the experience at the temple, pay a special visit to enjoy a unique breakfast.

After 30+ years in Europe, expert Kyoko Oonishi has now continued teaching yaku-zen medicinal cooking in Japan for a decade as “Yamato Yakuzen.”

DAY1

An amazing spiritual experience at a historical temple followed by an eye-opening healthy gastronomic encounter by a renowned “food mediciner.”

🕒　Approx. 6hours
👭　2-6 person

What makes this tour unique
✓　Visit main hall escorted by monk.
✓　Enjoy special Yakuzen meal

When the morning service starts, immerse yourself in the synchronized chants of the monks and sit through the surreal yet captivating tones reciting the sutras. Try to let go of all emotions and just let your mind loose and free; then you are sure to feel something powerful, sublime, or a sense of awe, regardless of your background or beliefs.

Once the service is done, follow a priest to guide you into the ‘back’ of the hall to the inner center where the Kannon statue stands. Get a close-up look and touch its feet to bring even better fortune, and also walk around to observe all the wonderful art & craft work on all sides of the walls of this chamber normally off-limits to the general public.

After you get back down to the entrance of the temple, a short walk through the rustic neighborhood of the temple town shops along the path straight out of Hase-dera brings you to one of many old traditional Japanese-style houses, with the sign Genji-Monogatari. Here, Ms. Kyoko Oonishi runs her operation Yamato-Yakuzen where she is usually the sensei [teacher] of medicinal cooking classes.

Usually starting with a special tea, you will be served a variety of miniature dishes or servings of fresh, natural, and (in most cases if not all) locally sourced ingredients prepared with a caring heart, keeping balance and your body in mind. The carefully crafted yet abundant variation is an eye-opener to a new level of well-being.