Recommended Experiences We offer a curated selection of experiences
to make your Kyoto stay truly memorable

At SOWAKA, we understand WELLNESS as the journey that leads to WELLBEING.
We are dedicated to assisting you in leading a more fulfilling life.
Please note that all wellness plans and activities introduced here are accompanied by members of our dedicated staff.
Furthermore, should you have any other inquiries or requests not listed,
please do not hesitate to consult with us.

SOWAKA's
Wellness Journey

Private Zen Experience

Learn the philosophy and practice of Zazen directly from a Zen monk.
This experience is more than just meditation—sitting quietly and clearing your mind. Instead, you will explore the essential meaning of Zazen and discover why the simple act of sitting holds profound significance.

Life inevitably brings challenges, uncertainties, and emotional fluctuations. How do we embrace and live with them ?

This Zazen session may offer you invaluable insights toward achieving exactly that. Beyond religious boundaries, Zen offers a pure way of perceiving and thinking, cherished since ancient times. You may find that the heart of Zazen is fundamentally quite simple and accessible.

We invite you to carry what you gain from this session into your everyday life, practicing mindful sitting in diverse settings and moments.

ScheduleEarly Morning
TimeApproximately 60 min
Price70,000 JPY for up to 4 people.
Additional 10,000 JPY per person (for 5+)
PlaceGuests staying in Room 104: Tea ceremony Room

Guests staying in other rooms: Roof top
*Rainy day: An alternative location
Suggested Application Deadline1 month before
*Please call us directly for last-minute applications.
Important InformationUpon confirmation of your booking, a 100% cancellation fee for the Zazen experience will be incurred, regardless of your guest room cancellation status.

Please note that even after the schedule is finalized, the date or the experience itself may be changed or cancelled due to the monk's circumstances.

If the cancellation is due to the monk's circumstances, no cancellation fee will be charged to you.

Kyoto Trekking

Around Kyoto, an expansive network of well-maintained trekking courses stretches for over 150 km. From this extensive network, we will suggest a route tailored specifically to your preferences.

While Kyoto is renowned worldwide for its historical attractions, but just beyond the familiar sights lie lush mountains and vibrant natural landscapes waiting to be explored. We invite you to leave the city's hustle and bustle behind and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the forest.
Pause to listen to the gentle melodies of birdsong and feel the warmth of sunlight filtering softly through the leaves. As you walk deliberately and mindfully through the forest, let your senses reconnect with nature's simple yet profound pleasures. We sincerely hope that this experience will inspire you to bring a sense of mindful connection back into your everyday life after your visit to Kyoto.

Please note that a hotel staff member will accompany you throughout this experience to guide and assist you along your chosen course.

ScheduleDaytime
TimeVaries depending on the course.
Please feel free to consult with our staff.
Price10,000 JPY per hour.
PlaceDepends on course
Suggested Application Deadline1 week in advance.
*Subject to the guide's schedule, booking the day before may be possible.
Important InformationWe do not provide rental wear or shoes for this plan.

In case of rain or other conditions where ensuring safety is difficult, the activity will be cancelled.

Guests are responsible for ensuring their own safety.
Guests are required to arrange any necessary insurance, such as mountain insurance, by themselves in advance.

The hotel assumes no responsibility for any accidents, incidents, or injuries sustained during the trek.

Goma Ceremony

Gomagyō has been performed by people with strong wishes and resolves, dating back to ancient times when Buddhism was deeply connected to people's lives, and continuing to modern athletes, professionals, and the general public today. This experience at SOWAKA is characterized by performing Gomagyō as an authentic practice of Esoteric Buddhism, not merely as a cultural experience. As it is part of the practice, participants will be asked to practice the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyo) and the Fudo Myoo mantra. Furthermore, since the sutra and mantra will be chanted in Japanese, we will send materials with pronunciation instructions in advance to guests who are not Japanese speakers.

Sitting in front of the fire kindled before your eyes, single-mindedly continue strongly wishing for your resolves and wishes to be fulfilled. You should be able to understand why people in ancient times held such deep reverence for fire.

In front of the pure flame, face your inner self and feel a connection with a larger presence. Please experience this special time of becoming one with the Buddha.

ScheduleDaytime
TimeExperience: Approx. 2 hours
Travel: 2 hours (round trip)
Price45,000 JPY per person
PlaceSmall temple at northern pert of Kyoto
Suggested Application Deadline Two weeks in advance
*Please note that last-minute bookings cannot be accepted.
Important InformationIf your religion has restrictions on participating in the religious practices of other faiths, please refrain from participating.
Please understand this is performed as an ascetic practice, not merely an experience.

On the day of the ceremony, you will wear monk's robes provided by the temple.
As smoke odor will cling to your clothes, please wear something you don't mind getting dirty.

Please refrain from participating if you are sensitive to smoke.

Private Yoga Lesson

The Gion area where SOWAKA is located is filled with a tranquil atmosphere, different from the hustle and bustle of daytime.
As your yoga session on the rooftop, performed while listening to the birds singing from Higashiyama, is completely private, you can participate without worrying about being watched.

Experience the joy of starting a new day by practicing yoga bathed in sunlight. Feel the energy overflowing from within your body.

In this yoga lesson, we will adjust the content to match your level, from beginner to advanced practitioners.

ScheduleEarly Morning
Time60 min
Price30,000 JPY up to 2 people.
Additional ¥15,000 per person
PlaceRoof top
*Rainy day: Lobby Lounge
Suggested Application Deadline1 week in advance
*Please note that last-minute bookings may be difficult to accommodate.

SOWAKA's activitys
enjoy your stay in Kyoto.

Morning Walk

An early morning walk guided by SOWAKA staff. Walk through the tranquil town of Gion in the pre-dawn light, and we will guide you to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Chion-in Temple.

In the serene hours untouched by the daytime crowds, feel the pulse of the ancient city and see the faces of the people living here, allowing you to experience Kyoto beyond its tourist attractions.

Schedule5:45 am
Time90 min
Price10,000 JPY per room
PlaceKiyomizudera OR Chion-in temple
Suggested Application DeadlineBooking accepted until the day before.
*Subject to guide availability, the walk may not be possible.

Tadasu no Mori and Antiques

Take a walk in Tadasu no Mori at Shimogamo Shrine and visit the gallery of MASA, who supervised SOWAKA's antiques.
The wonderful things he has found go beyond the realm of mere appreciation; they bring new value to our lives. Why not add more color and richness to your daily life?

ScheduleDaytime
Time10:30
Price15,000 JPY per room
PlaceShimogamo Shrine
Suggested Application DeadlineOne week in advance
*Consultation is required for booking the day before.

Tailored Experiences at SOWAKA

Beyond the curated plans introduced above, we are delighted to craft bespoke experiences to match your personal wishes.

Whether you seek to feel the living spirit of Kyoto, or witness the delicate artistry of its master craftsmen, we invite you to share your thoughts with us.
As your guide and bridge to this storied land, we are here to help you uncover the beauty that Kyoto quietly holds.
Please do not hesitate to let us know how we may be of service.