Zen Meditation and Sutra Copying Experience in Hakodate | A Quiet Moment to Center Your Mind

As more people seek relief from the stress of modern society, zen meditation and sutra copying experiences at temples in Hakodate are gaining attention. This city, which opened as Japan's first international trading port in the late Edo period and developed a unique blend of Japanese and Western cultures, is home to many historic temples. Being able to experience authentic Zen practice at places known as tourist attractions such as Hakodate Mountain and Goryokaku Tower is truly a luxury. In the quiet precincts surrounded by the Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Mountain, the time spent facing yourself has an irreplaceable value. The appeal is that anyone can participate regardless of denomination or faith.

Start Your Day Refreshed with Early Morning Zen Meditation

Zen temples in Hakodate regularly hold meditation sessions starting at 6 am. Participation fees are affordable at no charge to 1,000 yen, with a duration of approximately one hour. Meditating in the main hall where you can feel the region's history is a precious moment to immerse yourself in extraordinary silence. Sessions begin with instruction on proper sitting posture from the head priest, so beginners can participate with confidence. Sitting cushions are provided to minimize leg numbness, and those uncomfortable with seiza can also participate using a chair. After meditation, tea and Japanese sweets are served, and there is also time for a dharma talk with the head priest. Prior reservation is recommended, though some temples also accept same-day participants.

Write with Peaceful Concentration: Sutra Copying Experience

Sutra copying is a practice of carefully writing all 262 characters of the Heart Sutra one character at a time, and multiple temples around Hakodate Mountain offer this experience. The experience fee is 1,500 to 3,000 yen, and all brushes, ink, and sutra copying paper are provided by the temple. The session takes approximately one to one and a half hours, and the completed sutra can either be donated to the temple or taken home. The appeal of sutra copying at quiet country temples is the ability to concentrate fully in an environment with few tourists. Recently, programs with English explanations have become more common, making them popular with international visitors.

Sharpen Your Five Senses with Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine)

Popular alongside zen meditation and sutra copying experiences is the shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) served at temples. Temple lodges in Hakodate offer authentic shojin ryori lunches (3,000 to 5,000 yen) and multi-course meals (6,000 to 10,000 yen) made with seasonal ingredients. Shojin ryori utilizing Hokkaido's finest seasonal ingredients has a simple yet profound flavor. No meat or fish is used, and traditional cooking methods use dashi made from kombu kelp and shiitake mushrooms, allowing you to enjoy meals that are gentle on the body. During meals, the "Five Contemplations" verse is chanted to renew gratitude for food. Most temples require complete reservations for shojin ryori up to three days in advance.

A Two-Day Zen Retreat: Overnight Stay at a Temple Lodging

For those seeking a deeper experience, a two-day, one-night plan at a temple lodging is recommended. At 8,000 to 15,000 yen per night including two meals, the plan includes evening meditation, a vegetarian dinner, early morning meditation, morning service (sutra recitation), sutra copying, and a complete Zen practice experience. At the temple lodging near Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, the morning service in the clear winter air is particularly memorable as a solemn spiritual experience. Rooms are Japanese-style, and spending time in a quiet space without television or Wi-Fi offers the added benefit of digital detoxification. Check-in is typically at 3 pm and check-out at 10 am.

Mental Preparation and What to Bring

When participating in zen meditation and sutra copying experiences, comfortable, loosely-fitting clothing is recommended. Stretchy pants are better than jeans, and wide-leg pants are better than skirts for meditation. Wear clean socks. Since the main hall can be cold in winter, bringing thick socks or hand warmers is comfortable. Turn off your smartphone or set it to silent mode. You can participate in sutra copying empty-handed, though you may also bring your own brush. A popular course is to travel from Hakodate Airport to the city center in about 20 minutes by car, or about 20 minutes from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station by Shinkansen, have lunch of shojin ryori in the Bay Area, and then participate in the experience.