Private Tour
[Private] Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha & Calligraphy
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the ultimate private cultural immersion in Shizuoka. Designed exclusively for cruise travelers, this premium tour offers an intimate journey at a dynamic, efficient pace.
**Highlights**
- 100% Private: No waiting for groups. Enjoy a personalized pace.
- Samurai Heritage: Explore Seiganyo-ji Temple, connected to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- Authentic Zen & Tea: Experience meditation (chairs available) and premium Matcha with sweets.
- Premium Keepsake: Create your own calligraphy on a traditional scroll (Kakejiku).
- Full Support: Your English-speaking private guide meets you at the pier and stays with you throughout the entire tour.
**Time-Efficient Itinerary (2.5 - 3 Hours)**
We maximize your limited shore time. By utilizing taxi transport and a focused 30-minute temple walk, we provide a rich experience without the wasted time of large bus tours. You’ll be back at the pier or local lunch spots with plenty of time to spare.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Seiken-ji Temple
Visit Seiken-ji Temple, a historic Zen Buddhist temple with over 1,000 years of history. The temple is famously associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, who studied here as a child. Guests will explore the serene temple grounds, admire its traditional wooden architecture, and gain insight into the role this temple played in shaping Japanese history and culture.
Zuiunin
At Zuiun-in Temple, you'll enjoy a peaceful introduction to Japanese Zen culture. Start with a zazen (seated meditation) session guided by a Zen monk. Focus on your breath and posture to experience a calm moment of mindfulness. After meditation, enjoy matcha green tea and seasonal Japanese sweets in a traditional tatami room. Learn the basics of Japanese tea culture and hospitality. Next is a unique calligraphy experience. Based on the sound of your name, you’ll be offered several beautiful kanji characters, each with a positive meaning such as “love,” “peace,” or “smile.” Choose your favorite, and learn to write it with brush and ink. You’ll take home your own handmade art as a special souvenir. For those interested, we can also explain the traditional concept of stroke count balance, used in Japan to select kanji characters with good fortune and harmony. This experience is a perfect way to relax, learn, and connect with Japanese culture in an authentic and personal way.
What‘s Included
Premium matcha green tea and high-quality seasonal Japanese sweets.
Private Zen meditation at a serene temple. Chairs are available for your comfort.
Create your own masterpiece on a traditional hanging scroll (Kakejiku) to take home.
All admission fees for the temple are included in the tour price.
Taxi fares (approx. 2,000 JPY per vehicle each way) are not included and should be paid directly to the driver. Your guide provides full navigation and escort.
Meals are not included other than the matcha tea and Japanese sweet provided during the experience.
Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, extra food or drinks)
Options
Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha & Calligraphy Shimizu Port
Reviews
14 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A hands on opportunity to experience local culture
G8792GAcarolk,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The selected sites provided great settings for learning about local history and culture . Our guide was extremely personable, knowledgeable, and responsive. The hands on activities were well organized and offered interesting and enjoyable opportunities to experience the local culture.
Unique Cultural Experience
Douglas C,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a delightful day with this tour. The guides provided so much background detail. The meditation experience was very moving and impactful. The calligraphy was a very special unique challenge. Highly recommend this intimate and rewarding experience.
Loved it!
alyssaedelman,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can't say enough great things about our experience - it was a fantastic way to spend the day in Shimizu. Our tour guide was knowledgable and friendly, the temple and monastery were gorgeous, and we got a taste of the local culture without any stress. And we went home with our calligraphy souvenirs!
From Zen to Calligraphy — A Memorable Day
richardbT9712EN,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I truly enjoyed the balance of the experience — history, meditation, and hands-on culture. Seikenji Temple was impressive, and the Zen session helped me slow down after busy travel days. The matcha was slightly bitter, but authentic, and writing kanji was a highlight. Everything was well explained in English and perfectly timed for cruise passengers.
Peaceful time at Seikenji Temple
X9973FHkevinj,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful stop in Shimizu. Visiting Seikenji Temple was peaceful and the Zen meditation was a new experience for us, even calming for our teenagers. Afterward we enjoyed tea and sweets and some other cultural activities. The guide was friendly and spoke excellent English, which made everything very easy and enjoyable.
Authentic Japanese Tea & Culture Experience
katrinabH3487KZ,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I joined this tour while our cruise was in port and it was one of the best things we did in Japan. The tea ceremony was fascinating – graceful, beautiful, and very different from anything back home. We also visited a historic temple and enjoyed a short meditation and calligraphy activity, which made the whole experience feel rich and authentic. The small group size and friendly guide made it feel very personal. Highly recommended!
Great Family Activity Close to the Port
jasonwX9058MJ,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was perfect for our family with young kids. Even the short bus ride to the temple was exciting for our children (7 and 9) – they loved watching the scenery and felt like real adventurers. At the temple, they absolutely enjoyed trying calligraphy with brush and ink, and were so proud to take home their own kanji characters. We also had a taste of matcha with sweets and a peaceful temple visit. Everything was well organized, close to the port, and easy with kids. Highly recommended for families!
Peaceful Moments at Seikenji Temple
jsonm2025,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time in Shimizu. Visiting Seikenji Temple was a highlight – the atmosphere was calm and the Zen meditation was unforgettable, even for our teenagers who usually find it hard to sit still. Afterwards we enjoyed matcha with sweets and some other cultural activities. The guide was kind, knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English. Truly a memorable experience during our cruise stop!
Great authentic experience to dive into Japanese culture
nicon2022,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a wonderful experience to enter into Japanese culture with authentic zen meditation, matcha tea ceremony and calligraphy lesson. Sherry (hope I spelled your name correct) and her assistant guide did a wonderful job to make this a memoriable day for us. Thank you both so much for your kindness and warmhearted tour guidance.
Relaxing and cultural
T2799AGjenniferw,Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00t was a short tour but very complete — temple, meditation, tea, calligraphy. The guide explained everything clearly, and even our teenagers stayed interested (which is saying a lot!). I liked how personal it felt compared to the big-city tours. Definitely a good choice for families.
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