Beppu Zen Retreat and GyaTeiJi Temple: Your all-Inclusive Zen temple homestay experience!

•Meditation practice suitable for beginners.
•Just the right balance of activity and personal time.
•A gentle immersion into Japanese culture and Zen temple life.
•3 Delicious Meals, snacks, drinks, and extras included.
•A relaxing and nourishing homestay experience.

Find your Zen. :)

The morning schedule features Zen meditation (Zazen) in the temple, breakfast, short temple work such as cleaning or gardening, or special activities at the temple.

Afternoons are free and unscheduled, with optional participation in regular activities such as calligraphy, tea ceremony, hot springs visits, hiking, traditional kimono dressing, regional sightseeing, and more. Nearby Beppu features excellent shopping, restaurants, and the highest concentration of onsen or natural hot spting bathing in all of Japan.

There are also a variety of regular events with the local community and you are welcome to participate.
Occasionally you might have the opportunity to participate in Buddhist ceremonies or special Buddhist calendar events.

Delicious Japanese Food! All on-site meals and snacks, tea, coffee, etc. are included in the cost of your stay. We serve 3 meals per day. The food here is a highlight for most of our guests! Learn Japanese cooking with your hosts. Meals are mostly Japanese cuisine, but you do have some choice and we welcome requests and contributions toward meal planning. Meals are communal and we invite you to participate in food preparation and cleanup. Vegetarian options are available and most special food requirements can be met. WEEKDAYS - Japanese Cooking with your hosts. WEEKENDS - Self-catering days on Saturday and Sunday. Cook whatever you like, organize and plan with other guests, or go out for some meals nearby. Some food will be provided. Weekends also provide good timing for regional excursions.

Onsen - Hot Springs Bathing: We regularly visit a number of different onsen (hot spring bathing) in the area. We also know which onsen are tattoo-friendly, so no worries for guests with tattoos. (Whats the problem with tattoos and onsen access?)

Self-guided activities on your own or with other guests… There are almost unlimited possibilities in this region with so many options within close proximity for an easy afternoon outing or full day trip. The town of Hiji, where Beppu Zen Retreat is located, and the surrounding area, is a fantastic location for hiking or cycling at any skill level, and is well connected by public transport. Easy half-day or full-day trips to nearby towns of special interest include Beppu, Yufuin, Usuki, Saganoseki, and others. Learn more about the area here.

See what people are saying about Beppu Zen Retreat - check out our guest REVIEWS here!

DAILY SCHEDULE - Quick Reference

• 6:50 meet in the kitchen and proceed together to temple for meditation.
• 7:00 Zen meditation '“zazen” at the temple, 40 minutes, followed by tea. (Normally every day)
• 8:00 BREAKFAST - a simple monastic breakfast of rice porridge, or alternatives on request. Normally there is free discussion, questions answered, etc. after breakfast.
• 9:30 Variable program:
- various in-house activities or outings.
- “samu”- light temple work such as gardening or cleaning.

LUNCH
• 11:15 Prepare Lunch Together, Eat Lunch, Clean Up

• 13:00 (after lunch) Variable Activities / Free Time
- afternoon is flexible time to organize your own activities
- optional activities sometimes available with retreat staff
- free time alone or plan something with other guests
- additional self-guided meditation time

DINNER
• 18:30 Prepare Dinner Together, Eat Dinner, Clean Up.
• Monday Only 17:30 Prepare Dinner Together, Eat Dinner, Clean Up.

• 21:00 Quiet Time - Low lights and quiet activities please. Others may be sleeping. You are welcome to make use of any shared areas of the house such as the kitchen, for reading or internet time.

••TEA CEREMONY, is held once a week on a day best suited to interested guests. (¥3000 minimum donation)

••CALLIGRAPHY CLASS is held every THURSDAY morning.(¥4000 minimum donation)

••KIMONO / TRADITIONAL JAPANESE COSTUME is scheduled based on interest from guests and availability. (¥4000 minimum donation)

WEEKENDS ONLY, SELF-CATERING, Food is Provided. Prepare your own meals with other guests or go out and explore: Saturday and Sunday you and other guests will be responsible for your own meal preparation. Meals are generally prepared at the same time, however you will organize yourself with the other guests and put your meals together. You are free to cook whatever you like; Japanese or non-Japanese cuisine. It’s up to you! Some groceries and ingredients will be provided, but you may wish to add your own elements to the meal. You are free to use any of the available food and ingredients in the guesthouse. Make your favorite dish from home, or practice your new Japanese cooking skills! You are free to decide. Alternatively, you may decide to try some of the incredible restaurants in the area, on your own, or with other guests. The weekend is also the best time to take day trips and explore more of the surrounding region.

Weekend meditation schedules may also vary. In some cases, normal supervised morning meditation may be replaced with unsupervised meditation opportunities or with supervised evening meditation. Details will be provided the day before.

See a more detailed explanation of the schedule at the bottom of the page. (Occasionally there may be minor changes to the schedule. These are generally announced the day before.)

Morning meditation is strongly encouraged for all guests. This is the main purpose of Beppu Zen Retreat and also fosters a sense of community and shared experience among guests. Beginners and experienced meditators are all welcome, and while traditional Zen sitting-meditation form is encouraged, it is not required. Meditation is truly for everyone, and we follow a “just try it” philosophy here at Beppu Zen Retreat. The following links will help you understand how to practice Zazen (Zen meditation). Keep in mind that we are definitely NOT as strict here, but these videos will show you traditional Zazen practice. Just do your best. A superb, detailed guide to Zazen can be found here in english, and here in Japanese.

ADDITIONAL COSTS or DONATIONS for selected activities:

• CALLIGRAPHY, FORMAL TEA CEREMONY, or KIMONO DRESSING in the temple…
These activities involve substantial additional cost and effort for us. Participation is optional. However, the suggested minimum donation for these activities are as follows:
•TEA CEREMONY (on request) ¥3000 minimum donation
•CALLIGRAPHY CLASS (every Thursday morning) ¥4000 minimum donation
•KIMONO/Traditional Japanese Costume ¥4000 minimum donation.

• OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES BY CAR such as ONSEN (hot spring bathing), SIGHTSEEING, or RESTAURANT MEALS, are not included in your stay. Please pay your share at the time of the activity, and consider making a small contribution toward gasoline and other minor expenses.

• LOCAL OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES such as HIKING or SIGHTSEEING in the immediate vicinity of the retreat, are fully included! We really enjoy spending time with our guests!