Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha & Calligraphy Shimizu Port

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Shizuoka Shore Excursion from Shimizu Port — Meet at Shimizu Station. No long walking. 4-in-1: temple, Zen, matcha, calligraphy.

Cruise-friendly small-group tour with an English-speaking local guide. Visit Seikenji Temple linked to Tokugawa Ieyasu, practice Zen meditation, enjoy matcha with seasonal sweets, and learn calligraphy—take home your name on a washi scroll.

Highlights:

- For cruise travelers at Shimizu Port

- 4-in-1 cultural experience: temple, Zen, matcha & calligraphy

- English-speaking local guide; cruise-friendly timing

- Small-group (Max 10), ~3.5h; minimal walking

Note:

- Duration: ~3.5 hours

- Meeting: Shimizu Station – East Exit (arrive 10–15 min early). Meet 10:20 → take the 10:40 local bus together.

- Clothing: Comfortable attire for meditation (chairs available)

- After booking, you’ll receive a pinned map and Shimizu Station meeting photo, plus step-by-step directions for an easy meet-up.

Additional Info

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‘s Included

Seiken-ji Temple entrance fee The admission fee to Seiken-ji Temple is included in the tour price.

Calligraphy experience: Write your kanji name with brush and ink

Round-trip local bus fare between Shimizu Station and the temple is included in the tour price.

Guided zazen (Zen meditation) experience at Zuiun-in Temple is included.

Matcha green tea and a seasonal Japanese sweet are included as part of the cultural experience.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Guests are responsible for arriving at the meeting point on their own.

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)

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.

30 minutes • Admission Included

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.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable