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ID: wangyue8904
Cycle into northern Kyoto, where Zen and tea have never been separate worlds. This isn't Arashiyama, and it isn't a checklist ride. We move from the Zen world of Daitoku-ji into Kyoto's historic tea quarter, then put the bikes down for real zazen meditation to close the day.
Daitoku-ji is one of Kyoto's great Zen centers, closely tied to tea master Sen no Rikyū. We'll sit before a dry rock garden in one of its sub-temples — not for a photo, but to actually look at stone, gravel, and empty space.
We cycle to nearby Imamiya Shrine, then sit at a shop just outside its gate — open for over a thousand years, among the oldest continuously running businesses in the world. Grilled mochi, a dab of white miso: Kyoto's simplest snack, carrying dozens of generations behind it.
We ride into one of Kyoto's most important tea neighborhoods — home to the Omotesenke and Urasenke schools. None of the usual sightseeing noise here, just quiet backstreets where centuries of tea tradition are still genuinely alive.
We finish in Nishijin at Zen Coffee, near Kōshō-ji — a temple linked to tea master Furuta Oribe, and Zen Coffee's past collaborator on Zen-and-coffee events. Guided by an experienced teacher, we'll try zazen: posture, breath, bringing attention back to the present. No religious background needed, no need to empty your mind — just stop moving, and sit. Then close the day slowly, over coffee.
Quiet corners of northern Kyoto along the way. Pace adjusts naturally to weather, temple hours, and how fast everyone's riding.
If you don't ride, or would simply prefer an easier pace, ask us in advance about the private vehicle version (2–6 guests).
Pricing for the private vehicle version available on request.
Timing may shift slightly with weather, temple hours, and the zazen booking.
Details here are for reference — every booking is confirmed personally. Message us with your preferred date, we reply within 24 hours, and you pay securely via a PayPal link.
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