Overview
PRIVATE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
A moment to center your mind at an ancient temple where 1,300 years of prayer lives on.
A cultural experience at Mii-dera (Onjo-ji), the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, featuring a training experience led by a monk and a walk around the grounds with a local guide.
Choose one experience from “Zazen (shikan),” “Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing,” or “Rosary Bracelet-Making,” and spend time with a monk as you encounter the prayers and teachings of Mii-dera. Afterward, you’ll explore the historic grounds with a local guide, including the National Treasure Kondo (Main Hall).
PRIVATE TEMPLE EXPERIENCE
A special time at Mii-dera, experienced together with a monk
THE EXPERIENCE
Choose the training experience that suits you.
Quietly center your breath and mind with “Zazen (shikan),” face Buddhist teachings one character at a time with “Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing,” or create a rosary with your own hands with “Rosary Bracelet-Making.” Choose one from three experiences to match your preference. Even first-timers will be guided carefully by a monk.
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
01 | Zazen (shikan)
Center your posture and breathing, and reflect on yourself in a quiet moment.
02 | Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing
Spend a calming moment as you copy sutra text or the form of the Buddha, stroke by stroke.
03 | Rosary Bracelet-Making
Choose beads and create a rosary bracelet with your own hands. You can take the finished rosary home with you.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Experience with a monk | Spend time encountering the prayers and teachings of Mii-dera
Choose from three | Select one from zazen (shikan), sutra copying / Buddhist image tracing, or rosary bracelet-making
Discover the grounds in depth | After the experience, explore the National Treasure Kondo (Main Hall) and more with a local guide
Small group, unhurried | In a calm setting, experience the history and culture of Mii-dera
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
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Every week: Monday–Sunday (excluding year-end/New Year holidays and specific dates such as memorial services and events)
*This tour is by request. After you apply, we will contact you within 3 business days to confirm whether it can be arranged. Please note we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. - Time
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Morning Plan 9:30–12:10
Afternoon Plan 13:30–16:10
[Duration: approx. 2 hr 40 min] - Capacity
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10 people (minimum 2)
- Price
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Zazen (shikan) experience: Adults ¥5,100 (adults only), not available for under 15
Sutra copying / Buddhist image tracing: Adults ¥6,600, Children ¥4,400
Making a Buddhist rosary bracelet: Adults ¥6,600, Children ¥4,400 (*children receive a kids’ rosary)
Included: admission fee, experience fee, guide expenses, etc.
*English guide option available: ¥20,000 per tour (1 guide)
Itinerary
Meet at in front of the Niomon Gate, Mii-dera
→
Training experience / Choose one, approx. 60 min (zazen (shikan) / sutra copying & Buddhist image tracing / making a rosary bracelet)
→
Kondo (Main Hall) / National Treasure
→
Toin
→
Kannon-do Hall / Commentary by a local guide
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In front of Mii-dera / Sweets and tea
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Tour ends on site
Additional Details
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Choose one from three training experiences.
ZEN MEDITATION
01 | Zazen (shikan)
A zazen experience to quietly align your posture and breathing while learning the traditions passed down at Mii-dera. Guided by a monk, you’ll step away from everyday bustle and spend time reflecting on yourself.
COPYING SUTRA / BUDDHIST IMAGE
02 | Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing
Carefully trace each stroke of the “Heart Sutra” characters or the form of the Buddha. The goal is not to write beautifully, but to spend quiet time focusing your mind on each stroke in front of you.
MAKING BUDDHIST ROSARY
03 | Rosary Bracelet-Making
Choose your preferred beads and create your own one-of-a-kind rosary bracelet. A monk will offer prayers for the finished rosary. A recommended experience—and a great travel keepsake—you can take home along with your time at Mii-dera.
ROSARY UPGRADE
Special option for the rosary bracelet-making experience
+¥3,000 / +¥8,000
If you choose the “Rosary Bracelet-Making Experience,” you can select higher-quality beads for an additional fee. With careful attention to materials, you can create a truly special piece just for you.
PRIVATE REQUEST
Select your preferred training experience and apply
This tour is by request. When applying, please choose one of the following: “Zazen (shikan),” “Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing,” or “Rosary Bracelet-Making.” After confirming availability with the temple, guide, etc., we will contact you to let you know whether it can be arranged.
INFORMATION
Please check before booking and joining
About booking
This tour is by request. After you apply, we will confirm availability with the temple, guide, etc., and contact you to let you know whether it can be arranged. Please note we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date.
About the training experience
When applying, please choose one from “Zazen (shikan),” “Sutra Copying / Buddhist Image Tracing,” or “Rosary Bracelet-Making.” Changes to the selected experience cannot be made on the day.
About the experience time
The training experience is scheduled for approximately 60 minutes. Timing may vary slightly depending on the experience and the day’s flow.
Clothing and walking
There are slopes and steps within the temple grounds. Please join in comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking.
About the itinerary
Due to temple events, the places visited, itinerary, and parts of the experience may change.
In case of rain
The tour runs rain or shine. However, it may be canceled if we determine it is difficult to operate safely due to severe weather, etc.
Information for the day
We do not mail travel documents or the final itinerary for this tour. Please check the day-of information (final itinerary) under “Reservation Details” in your booking confirmation email.
Tour Operator
Registered Travel Agency with the Governor of Shiga Prefecture: No. 2-243
Full Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA)
Biwako Otsu Tourism Association
Civic Cultural Center 2F, 2-3 Goryo-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
