Tokyo Asakusa: Zen Meditation, Sutra Copying & Matcha with a Monk

Step off the tourist trail into a 400-year-old Zen temple in Tokyo's Taito City, a short walk from Asakusa. The resident monk teaches you the posture, hand position and breathing that zazen is built on, then guides you through two short sittings with a break in between. It is beginner-friendly, and your licensed English-speaking guide is with you the whole time.

Next, copy a sutra by hand, tracing Buddhist scripture stroke by stroke, and offer incense in the main hall, joining your hands in the rising smoke to make a wish. Close with a bowl of Uji matcha and Japanese sweets while you ask the monk anything about Zen and life at the temple.

Small group, no experience needed, and shoes come off inside the temple, so bring socks. Just under 2 hours.