Exclusive Zen & Japanese Cultural Experience at Ichibata Yakushi Buddhist Temple, overlooking the Mythical Land of Izumo
— Guided by Ven. Daiko Iizuka, the English-speaking head priest —
Welcome to our peaceful mountain temple, where you can experience a brief but meaningful introduction to Zen and Japanese culture. I’ve dedicated myself to studying and sharing the profound teachings of Zen and the beauty of Japanese traditions. Depending on your interests, I would like to guide you through the temple grounds and offer you a special experience.
【Main Experience】
- 90–120 min (The date and time can be arranged upon reservation)
- ¥6,000 per person
> Temple Visit & History (15 min)
Learn about the history of Ichibata Yakushi and the fundamental teachings of Buddhism in the main hall, where the temple’s sacred deity is enshrined.
> Temple Grounds Tour (15 min)
Explore the highlights of the serene temple grounds, including scenic viewpoints and culturally significant spots.
> Zen Meditation Experience (30–45 min)
Receive guidance on Zen meditation and try it in a way that suits you—on a zabuton (cushion), chair, or as a more traditional seated practice. The meditation length can be adjusted based on your preference.
> Tea & Conversation in a Historic Study Room (30 min)
Visit a traditional study room overlooking a Japanese garden. Enjoy a bowl of matcha (Japanese powdered green tea) along with a special bancha (roasted tea) grown within the temple grounds. This is also an opportunity for free conversation with the head priest, where you can ask about Zen, Japanese culture, or anything that interests you.
【Optional Add-ons】
①Special Fortune & Well-being Prayer (+10 min) ¥5,000
A formal blessing ceremony in the main hall, where your name will be read aloud in prayer for good fortune and health.
Includes a protective amulet and blessing plaque as a keepsake.
Hands-on Cultural Experiences
②Calligraphy Sutra Copying (Shakyo) (+30–90 min) ¥2,000
Experience Buddhist Mindfulness through sutra copying. Learn about the spiritual meaning behind sutra copying before you begin. You can also do Buddhist image tracing.
Choose from three styles:
(A)A short Buddhist scripture, Medicine Sutra (beginner-friendly)
(B)A longer, traditional Heart Sutra (for a deeper experience)
(C)Shabutsu (Buddhist image tracing) for a meditative art experience
③Tea Ceremony Experience (+15 min) ¥2,000
Step into a serene, traditional tea room, embodying the spirit of wabi-sabi.
Witness an authentic tea ceremony performed before your eyes and savor freshly prepared matcha in the tranquil setting.
④Handwritten Calligraphy Seal (Goshuin) – Small ¥1,000
A handwritten temple seal on traditional Japanese paper (postcard size), with an English explanation.
⑤Handwritten Calligraphy Seal (Goshuin) – Large ¥4,000+
A calligraphy seal written directly into your Goshuincho (stamp book), if you have one.
Price may vary depending on the type of stamp book you choose.
⑥Illustrated Storybook: The Legend of Ichibata Yakushi ¥1,000
A bilingual picture book (Japanese & English) telling the legend of "Yakushi, the Buddha of Eyesight," a sacred story passed down for centuries.
【Reservation】
If you are interested, please send us an email and we will reply to you with more details.
一畑薬師 本堂 / Main hall of Ichibata Yakushi
境内からの眺め / View from the temple
本堂の内陣 / Inside of the main hall
坐禅 / Zen meditation
坐禅 / Zen meditation
書院庭園 / Shoin Garden
抹茶 / Traditional Tea ceremony
写経体験 / Calligraphy Sutra Copying
写経体験 / Calligraphy Sutra Copying
'Heart Sutra'
写経体験 / Calligraphy Sutra Copying
'Buddha image tracing'
ご朱印 / Handwritten Calligraphy Seal (Goshuin)
'Yakushi nyorai (Medicine Buddha)'
ご朱印 / Handwritten Calligraphy Seal (Goshuin)
'Iouzan (Mountain of Healing Kings)'
神話の国 出雲国を一望する「一畑薬師」での特別体験
「禅と日本文化を体験するひととき」
～英語が話せる住職が直接ご案内をします～
【基本の内容】
- 本堂参拝・境内案内・坐禅体験・書院拝観と抹茶（90～120分）
- 料金：6,000円（ひとり）
> 本堂でお寺の歴史と仏教の教えについて説明を聞きます。（15分）
> 境内の見どころを案内つきで散策します。（15分）
> 坐禅のお話をして、座布団、椅子、のいずれかで体験します。坐禅の長さはご希望に合わせることができます。（30分～45分）
> 庭園を望む書院を拝観し、お抹茶（呈茶）とお寺の境内で栽培された特別なお番茶をいただきます。住職と自由な会話をお楽しみください。（30分）
【体験のオプション】
①特別な開運開眼のご祈祷（＋10分）5,000円
> ご祈祷とは、正式に本堂の秘仏にお参りをして開運開眼と健康を祈ることです。
> 住職が本堂でお名前を読み上げてお経を唱えます（お守りとお札を授与します）
②写経体験（＋30分～個人差あり～＋90分）2,000円
> 短いお経、長いお経、写仏、3種類から選ぶことができます。
> 写経についての説明を受けて体験をします。
③茶席体験（＋15分）2,000円
> 「わび・さび」の静寂な茶室に入ります。
> 目の前で本格的なお点前を行い、点てたお抹茶をいただきます。
【記念品のオプション】
④住職直筆のご朱印（記念品）1,000円
> 参拝の証となる直筆の朱印（はがきサイズの和紙）です。英語の説明入り
⑤住職直筆のご朱印（記念品）4,000円～
> または、お求めいただいたお気に入りの「朱印帳」にご朱印を書きます。
> ご朱印帳の種類により値段は多少前後します。
⑥一畑薬師の縁起物語 絵本（記念品）1,000円
> 「目のやくし」一畑薬師の縁起の物語を、日本語と英語で説明した絵本です。