Happily, the retreat is unlike a typical (and typically austere) Japanese temple stay. Morning and evening zazen (seated meditation) at Dairyuji are by no means compulsory, nor the point.

Wondering where to stay in Kyoto, Japan? There are different types of ... stroll from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and the beautiful and famous streets ...

Tsubosakadera temple in Takatori ... The lords promoted their medicines to the lords of various domains during their stay in Edo, now Tokyo, since feudal lords of that time had to travel regularly ...

Every day, hundreds of people visit Ryoanji Temple to see its Zen rock garden – which is probably the most famous of its kind in Japan. Located in Kyoto's northern outskirts, the temple was ...