Traditional Japanese Temple Calligraphy Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour

Mobile ticket

Find Peace of Mind and Spirit at Saisho-ji Temple

Begin your experience by offering a coin and practicing seated meditation to quiet your thoughts. Then, express your gratitude to the Buddha through a traditional burning of incense.

The highlight of the experience is shakyo—the meditative practice of hand-copying Buddhist scripture. Refresh yourself with a cup of Japanese green tea as you slowly and mindfully trace each character with a brush, embracing a moment of inner tranquility.

To complete the ritual, gently pass your calligraphy sheet through incense smoke— purifying the writing and symbolizing a step closer to the world of Buddha.

Finally, capture the memory of the experience with a polaroid photo (cheki) and a traditional temple stamp (goshuin) to take with you as a spiritual souvenir of your journey!

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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

Enjoy a peaceful and spiritual moment at Saisho-ji Temple. Calm your mind with a coin offering and seated Zen meditation, followed by offering　a burning of incense to express gratitude to the Buddha. In the main activity, you'll experience traditional shakyo (writing of Buddhist scripture). Take your time writing each character with mindfulness, enjoying the quiet and meditative atmosphere. To finish, gently pass your calligraphy sheet through the aroma of incense— purifying the writing and symbolizing a deeper step into the world of Buddhism. Before you leave, capture the memory with a polaroid photo (cheki) and receive a traditional temple stamp (goshuin) to commemorate your journey!

What‘s Included

Calligraphy tools and incense

Private transportation

Options

Traditional Japanese Temple Calligraphy Experience

Reviews

5.00

36 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Happy
Dreamer64739587252,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The calligraphy experience at the temple in Horie was a wonderful experience! It was nice to be able to clear my mind and concentrate for the first time in a while. The staff were kind and polite, and it was a place I would definitely like to visit again. I found it by chance in a hotel brochure, and I am very happy with the wonderful experience.
Calligraphy experience
昌幸山,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I attended alone, but thanks to the careful guidance of the staff, I was able to enjoy the calligraphy experience with peace of mind. I have always been familiar with calligraphy, but it was a really good memory to be able to spend time at Saishoji again, a wonderful time that I had almost forgotten in my daily busy life. KOKORO SHINSAIBASHI TEMPLE Japanese culture experience has made me very happy to experience a special sightseeing experience where I can experience Japanese culture. We hope others will experience it.
It was so much fun.
いつ子福,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a calligraphy experience at Saishoji with a friend. The staff and guides were very kind to us and we had a good time in the quiet atmosphere of the temple. The calligraphy experience was a precious thing that you can't usually experience, and I was able to feel the depth of Japanese culture. I found out about it on GetYourGuide and visited it, but after experiencing it for myself, I realized the importance of experiencing history and tradition in a Japanese temple. Recommended for those who are trying calligraphy for the first time.
It was fun.
955hideakin,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I learned about this calligraphy experience on TripAdvisor and visited it alone this time. First of all, the staff were very helpful and courteous, so I could focus on the experience with peace of mind for the first time. The calligraphy experience in the solemn atmosphere of Saishoji Temple was a precious time to let go of our daily busyness. By concentrating on the scent of ink and the feel of the brush, I was able to calm down and feel very calm. It was such a wonderful time and I am truly happy to have had it.
GOOD
Sightseer64063643403,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The staff were very polite and I was able to experience the experience with peace of mind. It was my first time trying calligraphy, but thanks to the easy-to-understand instructions, I was able to enjoy it. Through my time at the KOKORO SHINSAIBASHI TEMPLE Japanese culture experience, I gained a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture. The temple experience in particular allowed me to concentrate in a quiet space, which calmed my mind. I found the experience on Google Maps and participated alone, but it was still enjoyable even on my own. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone interested in Japanese
Thank you very much.
Tourist749460,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The staff taught me very carefully, so I was able to experience Japanese culture with peace of mind for the first time. I have experience in copying sutras before, but I am happy to have a very good time again. Through this experience, I was able to discover new things and learn things that I wouldn’t normally be able to do, which enriched my feelings. I was interested in it after seeing it on social media, but I feel I had a really good experience when I actually went there. It is also recommended for those who are interested in Japanese culture as they can enjoy it without hesitation even if they participate alone.
Happy life!!
Road01476306937,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a truly wonderful time at the calligraphy experience. The experience at Saishoji Temple was calming, and it was very refreshing to experience the state of "nothingness." The time to move the brush slowly and concentrate was truly luxurious, and I'm grateful to have been able to experience it in Shinsaibashi, away from the hustle and bustle. I participated alone, but it was a time of quiet self-reflection, and it's a wonderful memory. I found this service on Viator and highly recommend it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a spiritually cleansing experience.
good
丸井恵,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I was guided by friendly and fun staff and had a wonderful time. The calligraphy experience at Saishoji Temple was authentic, and the stamps were intricate and wonderful. As I held the brush and wrote the characters, I was able to once again realize the depth and beauty of Japanese culture. I participated alone, but the staff were very kind and accommodating, allowing me to relax and enjoy the experience from start to finish. I found this through a Google search and participated, and it was a truly wonderful experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience traditional
I want to experience it again
Roving63224840091,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I experienced something like this for the first time! It was so much fun. I’ve come to really enjoy calligraphy.
enjoy
Tourist26937513117,,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The calligraphy experience at the temple was a lot of fun. The staff were very kind, and I felt at ease in the warm atmosphere from start to finish. I was able to have a moment of calm that is hard to find in everyday life, and I feel it was a valuable experience that allowed me to face myself. I found out about the experience through Viator, but after actually visiting, I was really glad I did. You can participate alone without any hesitation, so I recommend it for those who want to spend some quiet time.