Tanuki Transformation
Gentle movement, meditation, mindful nutrition and Japanese culture
Tanuki Magic
In Japanese folklore, the Tanuki, Racoon Dog (nyctereutes procyonoides), is one of 2 animals naturally endowed with magical powers. The power to transform into any object or person, they are considered mischievous tricksters.
Let’s harness this power of transformation for ourselves as we step into another world to experience an amazing, off-the-beaten-track temple space in a quiet forest location.
Practice a gentle stretch with yoga suitable for everyone, meditation in the main hall of the temple, and a chance to experience mindful temple work as a monk would.
We finish our experience with a delicious gluten-free, vegan Japanese lunch with savoury dishes and sweets created by one of Kyoto’s foremost GF/vegan chefs.
October 23rd, 2024
Small group 5-10 participants
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Transformation
The ability to transform
To change your form. To change your heart and mind.
The space and time to focus on you, within your daily life, or your travel experience, within the traditions of Japan.
Be guided through this 300 year old sacred site, learning how it has transformed over the years.
Breathe the fresh mountain air to support your gentle mindful movement on the stage overlooking the forest.
Meditate in the main hall of the temple under the fearsome yet protective gaze of Fudō Myō'ō - the fire Buddha that protects us from evil.
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Mindful Movement
Breathe in the fresh mountain air - comfortably cool after the heat of central Kyoto. Take in that energy of another world, seemingly miles from central Kyoto, in this sacred gully, away from the crowds.
Focus inward. Move gently. Feel how the breath moves the body, and how the mountain brings the breath to you, clean clear, with a hint of the earth, the trees, across the gully.
And you can wear regular clothes - as long as they are comfortable for you, and you can bring your knee to your chest, they'll be fine.
Thirty minutes of gentle, mindful movement to stretch out the muscles from daily life, from traveling, to get ready to sit in stillness in the temple's most sacred hall.
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Meditation
We have the privilege of using the main hall at the temple for our meditation.
In the back of the hall is the original cave where the statue and original altar was built 300 years ago. The statue still in place in the cave, dominating the main hall.
Spend 20-25 minutes in mindful meditation focusing on the space we're in, and the space within.
Allowing full awareness of our senses in preparation for our temple work and lunch.
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Otsutome - Temple work
Gain some experience of a monk's daily life taking care of the temple, and help the temple at the same time.
We will spend 30 minutes helping the monks care for the 250 stairs that lead to this beautiful temple.
Like the monks, we will practice being in the moment and focusing on the finer points of the construction and maintenance of the staircase.
In many traditional Japanese arts, apprentices start their training by sweeping. In carpentry they say it so they become aware of how different finishes come together and are used. Stone work would be similar..
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Mindful Eating
With our attention drawn to the senses, we bring ourselves to the nourishment, for the day.
Lunch will be a lunch box with a mix of savoury dishes and sweets created my Yukiko Uno and her team at Mushiyashinai and Gion Soy Milk Ramen.
Shojinryori with Shojin Sweets. Shojinryori is traditional temple fare made to nourish the monks through their arduous training regimen. 'Shojin' means 'asceticism', but these meals are a surprisingly indulgent probably due to the severity of traditional training.
Shojin Sweets are a new addition to the shojin world - seasonal flavours, naturally vegan, prepared gluten free, with a blend of Japanese and western takes on much loved sweets in Japan.
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Temple memories
Receive an amulet/good luck charm from the temple as well as goshuin - the temple stamp for your books.
The mikawari amulet acts as substitute for you - taking the full brunt of any negative, or evil activity coming your way. If it breaks, then it's time to get a new one as it's done its job protecting you.
These reminders of your experience will stay with you until you next have a chance to visit.
Schedule:
9:30am: meet at Station
10am: 2pm Tour and mindful activities
2:30pm: return to station
Inclusions:
taxi to/from station
tour of temple by head monk
mindful movement
meditation
mindful temple care session
lunch (with time for questions for the temple)
temple souvenirs - amulet and temple stamp
Japanese - English translation
Reserve your spot here
Full meet up details provided once booking is complete.
About us
Our temple is one of Kyoto’s younger temples. A cave was initially found by a monk undertaking a strict training. He established a statue of Fudō Myō’ō in the cave in the early 1700s.
The temple was built around the cave in 1944, making it easier for people to visit the cave and its statue. The temple maintains its appreciation of the natural beauty it enjoyed when just a cave, still surrounded by trees and cool breezes.
Like Kiyomizu temple, the stage has no nails, and is built with only traditional carpentry techniques that lock the pillars and beams together. An amazing architectural feat even now.
The monks will guide us on a brief tour from the entrance up to the main hall before beginning the the movement, meditation, Otsutome and meal.
Yukiko Uno is a talented pastry chef who created the world’s first soy milk ramen, and what is called a miracle cake for a young boy with 23 allergies. She is now able to cater to most dietary needs.
Through the process of creating the cake and ‘cream’ she learnt to grow her own soy beans, make cakes that look and feel like ‘real’ cake even without flour, eggs and cream, and to help all of us with different dietary requirements to be able to enjoy delicious cakes and ramen.
“I started creating the allergen-free, soy-based sweet and plant-based recipes so that anyone in the World could have a smile on their face and a bit of delight from the dishes and the desserts that I create.”
Find Yukiko’s creations at Gion Soy Milk Ramen and Mushiyashinai
Sam is a yoga & meditation instructor from Brisbane, Australia. With a background in Sports Science she has been teaching personalised yoga to groups & individuals since 2014. Having lived in Japan for 15 years, she can provide access to places you cannot access as tourists, translation for any questions you may have, and insight into local customs and culture.
Discover the real Japan as you step away from the crowds and over-produced tourist experiences into these quiet spaces still available in some parts of Kyoto.
Her focus is teaching you how to keep yourself safe and comfortable whichever yoga class you go to, by helping you improve your body awareness and find ‘your own yoga’ that works best for your body on any given day.
"My goal in yoga is help you find ‘your yoga’ and your voice, to keep yourself moving safely, and able to voice your concerns, both on the mat and in daily life. In Japan I hope to share some of the more out-of-the-crowds, more authentic parts of Japan, allowing a deeper connection with this amazing culture."
Cancellation Terms and Conditions
In the case of refunds being provided, any fees involved in payments and refunding payments will be paid by the client.
From Payment until 30days before the retreat, cancellation fees are 0%
Until 21 days beforehand , cancellation fees are 30%
Until 10 days beforehand, cancellation fees are 50%
4-9 days beforehand cancellation fees are 80%
Cancellation from 53 days before or on the day of the event, during the retreat, or no shows will incur a 100% cancellation charge
In the case of typhoon, or other natural disaster, that leads to a national or local area stay at home order and therefore cancellation of the retreat, all funds will be returned minus any fees incurred to return those funds.
