Ancient Beauty, Ancient Wisdom Tour with Dr Petra & Rev Michael

NOTE: This tour is sold out. If you’d like to be placed on the waiting list, please email: karen@spirit.tours.

Join the Dynamic Duo, Dr Petra Weldes and Rev Michael Gott, on a spiritual journey of Japan’s natural beauty, sacred sites, tradition, creativity, and culture. Discover your own Buddha nature, samurai warrior spirit, and return home with a renewed vision for beauty, creativity, compassion, and peace in your life and in the world.

This spiritual pilgrimage takes you into the heart of the Japanese culture, faith, beauty, food, and the wisdom to be gained by their history, traditions, and way of life. Through this journey you’ll have ample opportunities to “be in the present moment,” “soak up all that Life has to offer,” and embrace “wabi-sabi” (the impermanence of all things). We have sacred experiences in Kyoto, Mt. Koya, Osaka, and Awaji Island.

With Spirit Tours, you get to travel in an open and relaxed state, knowing that all the details are taken care of! Enjoy daily spiritual practice and be surrounded by loving, like-minded travelers as you experience all that Japan has to offer.

WATCH RECORDING OF TOUR DESCRIBED

Day 1: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
YOKOSO! (Welcome!)

Welcome to Japan! Immediately, you’ll be immersed in a whole new world – beauty, spirituality, language, food, culture, and creativity. The road transfer from Kansai Airport to our hotel in Kyoto is about 90 minutes away, but your ride shall be smooth and comfortable.

The hotel we have chosen is the 4-star Kyoto Century Hotel. This is an historic and traditional Japanese owned hotel with everything we will need for our stay as well as being centrally located to excellent restaurants, shopping, and other beautiful experiences that are within easy walking distance.

Day 2:  Wednesday, October 23, 2024
We officially begin our journey in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan with an opening circle after breakfast. We begin our spiritual pilgrimage with an exploration of the “Way of the Warrior” – the samurai – their lives, ethos, rigid structures of bushido, and the unbending loyalty that it required.

The Hagakure, an ancient text on Samurai philosophy, writes, “The Way of the Samurai is found in Death”. And while this sounds grim, there is a context for it. The book also clarifies with: “If by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his/her body were already dead, he/she gains freedom in the Way.”

Afterwards, we start to explore Kyoto at the Nijo-jo Castle – its magnificent gates greet you as you enter the complex. The 400-year-old buildings of the Ninomaru-goten Palace, the Kara-mon Gate, and the Ninomaru Garden, are unique survivals from one of the golden ages of Japanese architecture and design, the early Edo period, known for its ornate architecture and magnificent interiors.

After lunch, we have some time at the Samarai Museum to discover the way of the warrior up close.

We then visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first is Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Adorned in gold-foil it is the emblem of Kyoto, and dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.

Ryoanji (Peaceful Dragon Temple) is the second – the famous Zen rock garden of Kyoto. What is the meaning of this rock garden? People have been contemplating this since the 15^th century. It is here where you may contemplate on the “nothingness” laid out before you and be a peaceful dragon.

We head back towards our hotel and have our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Today we take a deeper step into the history and majesty of the ancient capital of Kyoto. Experience the ultimate torii gate experience by walking through the thousands of vermillion torii gates that climb through the hills near the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Here, at this shrine, we encounter the Japanese “Inari”, the fox-guardian spirit (the Shinto god of rice). Found in fable, legend, and the spirit world, the fox is a messenger and guardian. This walk is part of our spiritual practice today.

After our walking time, we visit two very important temples today. The first is the Kiyomizu-dera Temple built over 1250 years ago. Halfway up Mt. Otowa, one of the peaks in Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range, this temple has welcomed large numbers of visitors who come to pay their respects to Kannon, a deity of great mercy and compassion. For this reason, the temple is known as a “Kannon Reijo.” “Reijo” is a Japanese word meaning a “holy place” and it’s here that Kannon’s compassion is abundant.

This is our other spiritual practice opportunity – stand before Kannon with a thankful heart – feelings of gratitude for coming into this world, your daily life, and your loved ones, friends, and acquaintances who are always there beside you.

We then go to Ginkaku-ji Temple, “The Silver Pavilion”. Yesterday we saw the “Golden Pavilion” in its glory and opulence, but the “Silver Pavilion” is no less significant, and in a different way. This is an elegant temple set in beautiful grounds at the foot of Kyoto’s eastern mountains. Its grounds are an outstanding example of Japanese landscape architecture. Whether you’re sitting on the landing beside the unique sand garden with its 2-metre silver cone or walking the trail and catching glimpses of the Pavilion from different vantage points, you’ll constantly aware of the lovely details which move the heart. It’s also here where we encounter the very heart of the Japanese aesthetic of “wabi-sabi”, a deep artistic and philosophical concept of the “impermanence of all things”. Like a fleeting natural sound, the wind in the trees, or a garden of raked lines in stone and sand, they are beautiful, butnot meant to last.

From here we walk the Philosophers Path (“the Path of Philosophy”). The walk is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees and is gorgeous in the fall.

We have a dinner together and then the evening is open for you to stroll around and walk in the ancient city to discover and venture where you like. We provide information for local shops, cafes, bars, and other local attractions.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Friday, October 25, 2024
Thus far, we have experienced Shintoism, Buddhism, Japanese Aesthetics and Philosophy. Today we continue connecting with Buddhism. We visit the Sanjusangendo Temple that within its temple hall, holds Japan’s longest wooden structure. In the center sits a large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon) that is flanked on each side by 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows. Together they make for an awesome sight.

Today’s spiritual practice is a private, guided Zazen meditation experience at the Shorinji Temple.  Shorinji means “The Wood of Awakening”. Zazen = ‘Za’ is the harmony of the body, breath, and mind. Zen is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit, dhyana, or meditation. Zazen is the gradual unification of your body, breath, and mind through seated meditation.

Following this morning of deep discovery, we transfer to Nara, where we find another ancient capital where Shinto and Buddhism have flourished side-by-side for many years. This sacred capital is sure to become very “deer” to you as we visit three key places here. Many sacred deer of region will be all around us as we experience the Nara Deer Park, Kasuga Taisha, and Todaiji Temple. While enjoying the park, we visit the Shinto shrine of Kasuga Taisha. The deity, Futsunushi, is worshipped at Kasuga Taisha, and is the god that came from the first two deities that created Japan from the island of Awajishima (we go there later in the tour). Futsunushi, is considered one of the original gods to subjugate evil and to bring order to the original chaos of the land. As a war god, Futsunushi is one of the deities of Japan’s martial arts. Futsunushi has been said to appear in dreams to teach swordsmanship.

Adjacent to the park is the Buddhist temple of Todaiji. Todaiji is home to an astonishing massive bronze seated Buddha representing Bairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas. Vairocana is the primary deity, the Buddha of the Cosmos, and the embodiment of the universe, time, space, and “the void”.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Today we leave the energy of the city and move into tranquility and calm. We begin our day at the astonishing Kurama-dera Temple north of Kyoto. This gorgeous mountainside temple is known for its spirituality and breathtaking natural beauty. It has a cable car that helps us get to the top to experience it all. Somehow, through the centuries, it has managed to survive. And within this temple is Sonten – made up of three deities: Bishamonten (represents the Sun); Kannon (represents Love); and the Defender Lord (represent Power) that make a Buddhist “trinity”. The temple is also considered by many to be the source of Reiki energy.

The next step of this day’s remarkable spiritual exploration is a hike to the Kifune Shrine. This shrine is particularly significant to the Japanese as home to the God of Water and is recognized as the head of over 2,000 such water shrines all over Japan. This entire area is calm, healing, and deeply spiritual for the Japanese people. Legend has it that a goddess traveled to this location from Osaka. It is here where her spirit, as well as her boat, is kept. There is a boat stone, under which, is said to be buried the goddesses’ boat. People who own businesses, particularly those in the food industry, come here to seek blessings.

Next, we visit Sanzen-in Temple, which is a very significant temple for the branch of Buddhism called “Pure Land Buddhism”. The method of worship is in the form of chanting sutras. This kind of Buddhism is also called “Jodo Buddhism” – the belief that one can be reborn into a new “Buddha-field” and make steps in the next life to improve and come closer to enlightenment. This branch of Buddhism is widely spread throughout Asia and is popular because it grants the possibility for people to improve and find “the Buddha” even if they are not particularly virtuous in this life.

Take some time to wander and explore this marvelous and sacred space. The Otonashi no Taki Waterfall is found on the Sanzen-in Temple grounds and its name, “Oto-nashi” means, “soundless”. The various gardens reflect the seasons and are particularly famous in autumn for the fall colors. On the grounds, the path meanders around small halls with ancient histories and through moss gardens dotted with smiling little jizō statues, making for a beautiful and relaxing time.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Sunday, October 27, 2024
Today we depart Kyoto and transfer to one of the holy of holies of Japan, Koyasan (Mt. Koya). Koyasan is a holy site that is a series of temples, but also a gravesite that is the final resting place for about half a million people. Among those who are interned here are several very significant historical figures, famous monks, as well as the legendary figure of Oda Nobunaga.

In the most central part of Koyasan is the Okunoin Temple (ancient graveyard), where Kukai (posthumously named “Kobo Daishi”) is resting. Legend has it that Kukai is not, in fact, deceased yet meditates day and night until he is ready to come back to this world. Monks carry meals to his mausoleum every morning and evening.

Koyasan is also the endpoint for those finishing their holy pilgrimage. You may see “ohenro pilgrims” in their white clothing and sedge hats. It is considered a sacred duty of many Japanese Bhuddhist to make a pilgrimage here, one time in their life. They come here to pay homage to Kukai and to thank him for his steadfast companionship on the path they have just completed. In their hands they may carry a staff which is said to be the embodiment of Kukai, and they keep it/him with them as they travel. On the staff reads in Japanese, “Dogyo-Ninin”, which means, “two travel together”.

Before we get to the center of Koyasan we visit the Kongobuji Temple, which is a massive structure and the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, the sect that Kukai established. Shingon Buddhism is the Buddhism of mantra, and at its center is “The Heart Sutra”, a testament to our place in the universe, the absolving of the human ego, and the recognition that all is both nothing and that all matter is inherently connected. The temple is very beautiful and lovely and a testament to Kukai and his roots in Shikoku (we go there later in tour). On the grounds is the Banryutei Rock Garden, the largest rock garden in Japan. Built in 1984, its large rocks from Shikoku, the birthplace of Kobo Daishi, represent a pair of dragons emerging from a sea of clouds.

We visit Danjo Garan, which is a structure possessing a mystical, if not magical, story. Kukai, when studying in China threw his “Sankosho” (a three-pronged Buddhist ceremonial tool) towards Japan and when he returned, he found it in a pine tree near this location. That tree still grows today, and it is here that the Danjo Garan building was constructed. You’ll find the Yakushi Nyorai deity, the Buddha of Medicine here.

We spend the night in a Japanese Buddhist temple for a genuine, sacred ryokan experience. Enjoy the stillness, beauty, simplicity, meditation, meals, and the monks praying.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Monday, October 28, 2024
Today we awaken in the peaceful setting of the monastery, participate in morning prayer, have breakfast, and then make our way to Osaka.

For our spiritual deepening experience today, we visit the Sumiyoshi Taisha for a special Shinto ceremony – a unique experience to receive blessings and prayers from an authentic Shinto shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the three gods of the sea (the Watatsumi, a creature in three manifestations), god of war, and god of poetry.

Afterwards, we visit the famous Osaka Castle and its surrounding Nishiomaru Garden. Take some time to explore this magnificent structure and “slip backwards in time”. We check-in to Hotel Respire Osaka for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Eight: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Today is a very special day as we travel out to the island of Awajishima (Awaji Island). It is here that the very first gods met and from this place that all other islands of Japan were born. This is the very epicenter of Japanese legend and Shinto tradition.

We enjoy some marvelous time at Zenbo Seinei (a Japanese Zen Retreat) for a Zen Wellness Experience overlooking the panoramic views of the valleys all around.

Later we will take a trip to visit the famous Naruto Whirlpools. Our visit in autumn is perfect as they will be at their most active during the year.

We check-in to Grand Mercure Awajiisland Resort and Spa for two nights where the sky meets the sea in perfect harmony. Enjoy the spectacular water view, hot springs (spa), and beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Nine: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
On our final full day in Japan, spend it however you’d like! Relax, enjoy the water, beach, spa, whatever you’d like. You’ll have an option to choose to try your hands at indigo dyeing, using a specific kind of blue that is found no place else in the world (Tokushima Blue). You can even choose to ride a bicycle through the temples for a special experience. Tonight, we have our Farewell Dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day Ten: Thursday, October 31, 2024
After breakfast we have our closing circle.  And then we leave for the Kansai Osaka Airport and our flights home or to Tokyo if you plan to enjoy the Tokyo add-on.

Meal Included: Breakfast

TOKYO ADD-ON DETAILS

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

There is a $889 nonrefundable deposit required to reserve your spot.
First payment of $1,500 due by January 1, 2024
Additional $1,500 due by April 1, 2024
Final payment (Full balance) tour is due by July 1, 2024

If cancelled outside of 90 days of tour date – full refund minus $889 nonrefundable deposit
If cancelled between 89 and 61 days – 50% is refundable minus $889 nonrefundable deposit
If cancelled within 60 days – No Refund

Itinerary is subject to change if necessary without notice.

Trip Insurance (Cancellation/Interruption/Medical) highly recommended and medical insurance required for all international tours. Assistance with insurance and airfare are available through Spirit Tours.

Note: Each traveler is responsible to adhere to local Pandemic Protocols, ie: wearing masks and social distancing where advised. It is the Traveler’s responsibility to have all the necessary documents, tests, and vaccinations completed prior to departure. Improper required travel documentation is typically not covered by travel insurance. Spirit Tours/Agency/Agent not liable for errors and omissions of approved/paid itinerary and held harmless for unforeseen travel complications as of result of Pandemics and Quarantines.