Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 2-Day Eiheiji Zen Stay Customizable Tour
Sleep one night inside Eiheiji, a Zen training monastery founded in 1244. Join zazen, the early morning service and vegetarian temple meals with the monks.
Private · your group only◆2 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Eiheiji in Fukui is the head temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. It was founded in 1244 and young monks still train here today. This is not a temple hotel. It is a working monastery, and guests follow a simple version of the monks' day.
Your night at Eiheiji is called a sanro stay. It includes two sessions of zazen sitting meditation, the morning service in the great hall before dawn, and vegetarian shojin meals of dinner and breakfast eaten in silence. A monk leads you through the rules. The night stay, dinner and breakfast are all included in your price.
On the way to Eiheiji we stop at the Echizen Washi no Sato paper village, where washi paper has been made for about 1,500 years. After the stay, on Day 2, we drive to the Tojinbo cliffs on the Sea of Japan, a long line of tall basalt columns above the waves.
Eiheiji has strict rules. Arrival is in the afternoon. Alcohol is not allowed. Please wear modest clothes. The temple meals are vegetarian. Eiheiji does not offer halal certification.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One family or group of 1 to 6 people per van, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If Eiheiji's overnight stay is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Eiheiji in the daytime and stay in a temple lodging nearby.
DAY 1 Early hotel pickup in Tokyo and drive to Fukui (about 6 hours). Stop at Echizen Washi no Sato, then check in at Eiheiji for zazen, dinner and the night.
DAY 2 Early morning service and breakfast at Eiheiji, then the Tojinbo cliffs and the drive back to your Tokyo hotel.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Sleep one night inside a working Zen monastery founded in 1244
- Join two zazen sessions led by Eiheiji monks
- Attend the morning service in the great hall before dawn
- Eat vegetarian shojin meals in silence, the monks' way
- Visit Echizen washi village and the Tojinbo basalt cliffs
Said plainly
Eiheiji stays must be applied for about one month ahead, so please book at least five weeks before your date. Arrival at Eiheiji is in the afternoon. Wake-up is before dawn. Alcohol is not allowed. Please bring modest clothes and socks. Rooms are simple Japanese rooms with futons. If Eiheiji's overnight stay is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Eiheiji in the daytime and stay in a temple lodging nearby. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Sleep one night inside a working Zen monastery founded in 1244
Join two zazen sessions led by Eiheiji monks
Attend the morning service in the great hall before dawn
Eat vegetarian shojin meals in silence, the monks' way
Visit Echizen washi village and the Tojinbo basalt cliffs
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- One-night sanro stay at Eiheiji with dinner and breakfast (temple lodging)
- Zazen sessions and morning service at Eiheiji
- Entry to Echizen Washi no Sato
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional paper-making experience at Echizen Washi no Sato
- Optional souvenirs
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
Ready to reserve?
Choose a live date and complete secure payment in a few minutes.
From¥277,000
Check dates