Kyoto · KYOTO GARDENS & ZEN RETREATS
17 reviewed
There are 17 kyoto gardens & zen retreats in Kyoto on this site. These 15 keep earning their spot, with the numbers laid out so you can book and move on.
Small-group Arashiyama walk through bamboo, shrines, Tenryuji gardens, and the monkey park. Tickets, guide, and a guided route included.
“Nice way to spend a day with nature. Bamboo forest was peaceful, interesting shrine and temple and the monkeys were lots of fun to watch. Our guide Maricel was excellent and very knowledgeable”
Small-group Kyoto Zen temple tour with guided zazen, a dry rock-and-rake garden walk, temple sights, and a traditional Buddhist lunch for $110.10.
“Yutaka was a wonderfully knowledgeable guide and a great person. His enthusiasm for Zen Buddhism and for Kyoto comes through in every site we visited. We enjoyed thoroughly his company, and we very much appreciate his inner kindness. The Zen meditation experience with a monk was priceless. 🙏”
Practice zazen with abbot Eitetsu Nishida at Jusho-in, then enjoy matcha and seasonal sweets in a 400-year garden.
“This was by far our favorite part of our Kyoto trip! Eitetsu was very thorough and informative. We felt very welcomed. We had a lost phone situation before our experience and Joondae as long with the rest of the team were very helpful and reassuring. Joondae went above and beyond to help us out. The experience itself helped us keep our mind off of it and we enjoyed every minute of it. The setting itself was serene and beautiful, tucked away from the busy city. The garden was especially peaceful and added to the calming atmosphere. This experience was a refreshing break from the crowds and gave us a chance…”
Small-group Arashiyama walk with bamboo, temple gardens, and included Kyoto-style lunch plus entry fees and photo stops, near Togetsukyo.
“This was a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Japanese religion and history. She took us to off-the-beaten-path locations, including a temple with the most beautiful, serene garden, and a garden with amazing views of the city and mountains. We also visited a famous shrine. And of course, the bamboo forest, which is really something to see. We went early enough that it wasn't too crowded. The tour included a delicious vegetarian kaiseki lunch, and our guide explained what everything was and how to eat it. The pace of the tour was perfect for the very hot weather,…”
Make matcha in a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse with an English Omotesenke tea master, a small group, and handcrafted tools.
“We really enjoyed learning about the tea ceremony. The best part was we were a small group which really made it special. Also we had children (8 and 10 year old ) and this was just the right mix of learning and hands on experience for them.”
Private Zazen meditation at a Kyoto temple with an English-speaking guide and monk. Tea, quiet gardens, photos, 90 minutes for $91.
“Wonderful opportunity to get insight into meditation and the experience of a Buddhist monk in a temple not open to the public. Great option regardless of your experience. Includes matcha tea and a stroll in the garden.”
Private Kyoto Zen garden walk through Nanzen-ji’s sub-temples, led by Andrew with design insights and Zen meaning in 3.5 hours.
“Through the lens of the Zen garden Andrew brought to life the religion, society, history and culture of Kyoto. He brought our focus to the meaning of the rock gardens so prevalent in Kyoto and the shrines and garden choices. He answered thRead more”
Pedal Kyoto’s Zen highlights by bike: Kennin-ji UNESCO garden, Nanzen-ji, a teahouse lunch, and a relaxing Kamogawa River ride.
“I had a great day biking around Kyoto with Yusuke! I wasn’t expecting it to be a private tour but that was a nice surprise because I could go at my own pace. Yusuke was a super friendly and knowledgeable guide - he made sure I was comfoRead more”
Watch matcha made from scratch in a Kyoto teahouse with garden views. Small group, 2 cups, wagashi, photo.
“Very welcoming and kind hosts. Knowledgeable and Informative especially when answering our questions about all things.”
A small-group Zen garden walk and one-hour zazen at Tofukuji, finished with Shojin Ryori lunch in quiet Kyoto calm.
“We really enjoy the experience and our guide Yutaka was really funny and made us have good fun. thank you!”
Private Kyoto tea ceremony with garden views, seasonal sweets, and hands-on matcha making in a 100-year-old house near Ryoan-ji.
“It was a beautiful and calm experience. The given Informations about Matcha and Tea ceremony were totally interesting and the ceremony self was wonderful. We highly appreciate it and the possibility to made a bowl of matcha ourself at the end. Thank you so much.”
A small-group Arashiyama walking tour featuring bamboo groves, Tenryu-ji gardens, Okochi Sanso views, and a Monkey Park hike.
“Mari was our tour guard! She was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, helpful and made our tour an excellent experience! My husband and I highly recommend her, you will be very happy!!!”
Private Kyoto matcha tea ceremony at Camellia Garden Teahouse: garden views, tea history, and making your own bowl in 1 hour.
“Simply amazing! This was such an incredible experience! Our tea practitioner was so knowledgeable! Definitely recommend!”
3-hour Arashiyama tour with bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji gardens, Togetsukyo Bridge photo stop, and Iwatayama monkeys above Kyoto.
“Our tour guide was a great resource in learning about the history about the bamboo forest and the temple. She was very knowledgeable and a wonderful hostess!”
A private Kyoto temple and garden walk with special garden access, cherry blossoms, Zen and Shingon context, plus transit help.
“Naomi was well-informed and professional. The experience was well worth the time & money. I got to learn a lot about a geisha’s life.”
