AUTHENTIC ZEN EXPERIENCE
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. :)
Use one of our free bikes to see the area!
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!
Morning meditation at GyaTeiJi temple, next door to the guesthouse.
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 based on demand. If you are interested in tea ceremony, let us know at the beginning of your stay so it can be scheduled.. (¥3000 minimum donation)
••CALLIGRAPHY CLASS is held based on demand. If you are interested in calligraphy class, let us know at the beginning of your stay so it can be scheduled. (¥4000 minimum donation)
••KIMONO / TRADITIONAL JAPANESE COSTUME is held based on demand. If you are interested in a traditional costume experience, let us know at the beginning of your stay so it can be scheduled. (¥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.)
Guests can traditional Japanese old style Kimono wearing and photo opportunity with the help of an experienced teacher.
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 (on request) ¥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!
DAILY SCHEDULE - Detailed Explanation
(occasionally there may be minor changes to the schedule)
before 6:50 Prepare for meditation as needed.
It is suggested that you go to the toilet, have some water or tea, and be prepared for meditation.
We suggest that you avoid excessive caffeine and food before meditation.
6:50 Meet in the kitchen of the guesthouse and proceed to temple for meditation.
Please be on time.
7:00 Zen meditation at the temple.
40 minutes of Zen meditation.
8:00 Breakfast
Typical monastery breakfast of rice porridge and umeboshi.
Alternatives are available on request. (also see WEEKEND variation explained below.)
Typically after breakfast is a free discussion time when you can ask questions and chat freely with the Monk and other guests.
This might be cut short or canceled completely on “Samu” days when guest participate in care of the main Temple.
9:30 possible options include:
- "Samu" - temple work (not every day) Light work or cleaning around the temple or garden, usually lasting about an hour.
- In-house activities such as tea ceremony or calligraphy.
- A variety activities or outings. Anything is possible. Suggestions or requests are welcome.
- Free Time, alone or with other guests.
11:15 Prepare Lunch together, Eat Lunch Together, Clean Up
your help is appreciated ! (see WEEKEND variation explained below.)
13:00 Variable Activities / Free Time
A variety of activities are available. Feel free to make requests. These might include:
- formal retreat activities such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, or kimono dressing. (donation suggested)
- additional self-guided meditation time in the Buddha house (ask for directions) or in your own guest house.
- off site activities with hosts such as onsen or hiking.
- self-directed activities on your own or with other guests.
DINNER
• 18:30 Prepare Dinner Together, Eat Dinner, Clean Up. - your help is appreciated (see WEEKEND variation explained below.)
• MONDAY ONLY 17:30 Prepare Dinner Together, Eat Dinner, Clean Up. - your help is appreciated (see WEEKEND variation explained below.)
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 scheduled based on interest from guests and availability. . (¥3000 minimum donation)
••CALLIGRAPHY CLASS is scheduled based on interest from guests and availability. .(¥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.
MINIMUM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS - Detailed Explanation
It's very important that you understand the minimum requirements for participation at the retreat.
Morning meditation is required and is the core practice at the retreat.
"Samu" or Temple work and maintenance is also required and generally happens after meditation and breakfast. However this is normally only 60 to 90 minutes and not every day. (usually every other day)
Meal time participation is another important activity, but you can opt out if you wish. If you're planning to be away for a meal, please inform the staff in advance so they're not wondering where you are. It's very common that guests skip lunch and or dinner at the retreat while they are out exploring the region which has so much to offer. However, if you are present at the retreat during mealtime, you must participate in preparation and clean up.
In practice hat means:
Morning Meditation: If you consistently skip morning meditation practice, you might be asked to leave the retreat, unless for example you were seriously ill.
Samu: you might be able to get away with skipping one of these, once in a while, if, for example you're planning to go on a day trip and you will be away for the whole day. DO NOT simply skip out on Samu and then come back for lunch. This would be considered quite rude. You must inform the staff of your plan to skip Samu, and this would most likely mean that your activity precludes returning for lunch as well.
We think that this retreat schedule is very light and reasonable leaving you lots of time to explore the region and take day trips. The morning practice is not flexible and represents the core practice common to all guests at the retreat. After Meditation and Samu, you are basically free to do as you wish for the rest of the day. Please keep the staff informed of your plans so we are not worried about you.
Overnight absences and early morning day trip departures are allowed occcasionally, even when they might prevent your attendance of Morning Meditation and Samu. But these should be the occasional exception and not the rule. Generally participate in the core program, keep us informed, and everything will be fine.
