Japan Zen & Wellness

Cross Hotel Kyoto is adjacent to Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi streets in the heart of shopping and gourmet district, yet guests will find a variety of must see heritage sites within walking distance.
Nearest train stations of Keihan Line, Subway Tozai Line and Hankyu Line are no more than ten-minute walk away from the hotel.
This property is a great travel hub to explore the beauty of this ancient capital of Japan.

This morning experience the quintessential Japanese enlightenment experience - Zazen (Zen meditation). Your guide will meet you at your hotel this morning and take you to a Zen temple, where you can learn the basics of the same-seated meditation style that led the Buddha to Enlightenment! After Zazen, head to Chion-in Temple, the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Japanese Buddhism, which has millions of followers and is one the most popular Buddhist sects in Japan. The Sanmon Gate, Chion-in's main entrance gate is the largest wooden gate in Japan and dates back to the early 1600s. From Chion-in walk through Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto's most popular Shinto Shrines. Your spiritual day finishes with a Tea Ceremony in a Gion teahouse. Your Tea Master will give you a full explanation of Japanese tea as well as the tea ceremony itself, its long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism. The Master will also tell you the meaning behind each movement involved in the making and serving of the tea, as well as the equipment involved.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Mt. Koya (Koyasan) and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to over 100 temples, it has been the center of Buddhism Shingon, an important Buddhist sect for over 1200 years.
In the morning, meet your guide and travel together to Mt. Koya by public transportation. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours from Kyoto or 2 hours from Osaka. On arrival in Mt. Koya take a half day tour to visit some of the highlights. Visit Kongobunji Temple, the head monastery of Shingon Buddhism, and home to Japan's largest rock garden, as well as the Danjo Garan temple complex. Then walk to Okunoin cemetery to see some significant historical sites including the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi and tombstones belonging to feudal lords, prominent monks and well-known Japanese companies. After the tour, your guide will leave you anywhere you wish to further explore Koyasan. Tonight, stay at a shukubo - a Buddhist temple lodge. The rooms are comfortable, but simple and not luxurious. This is the best way to immerse yourself in the authentic, spiritual atmosphere of Mt. Koya.
Dinner is shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist cuisine. This vegetarian meal is not only healthy but delicious!

It will be an early start today to watch the monks chant their morning prayers, followed by a shojin ryori breakfast. The rest of the day is free to further explore Mt. Koya before departure.
Your train back to the Nankai line station in central Osaka is included and you can make the journey at any time you wish, before proceeding to your next destination.

All the guest rooms have an open-air bath on the terrace and dinner is served in the dining room of each guest room so that guests can leisurely enjoy the stay with the breathtaking view of Hayakawa ravine. The guests can also enjoy three other types of open-air baths in communal baths with the view of Hakone Mountains.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

The Keio Plaza Hotel is the ideal location to explore the delights of the city of Tokyo. Only minutes away from the most popular shopping and entertainment spots, the luxury hotel provides stunning views over central Tokyo. The Keio Plaza Hotel offers a wide variety of home-away-from-home hospitality, with 1,435 guest rooms to choose from to accommodate your every need. Located in Shinjuku, in the very heart of the Tokyo metropolis, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo extends top rated services and facilities, features that guests come to expect of a world class hotel.

The world's largest fish market, Tsukiji Market, handled about 2,888 tons of marine products a day worth about 2.8 billion yen (US$20million) before half of it moved to its new location in Toyosu. Some 450 kinds of fish were received from penny-per-piece sardines to golden brown dried sea slug caviar, a bargain at US$473 a pound. Some of the giant tuna sold for well over 1,000,000JPY each (US$8000). While the inner market has moved to its new location, the outer market remains standing and you can take time to wander through, exploring both the vegetable and fruit areas plus the impressive seafood section. You will stroll around the market with a guide and will be able to try some tasty samples as you explore.
You will then hop on a local bus to visit a nearby Japanese chef. He will answer all your questions about sushi and Japanese food culture and will help you to make a selection of delicious fresh sushi. You will then get to enjoy your home-made sushi for lunch.

On this exclusive experience you will meet a priest from a real practicing Shinto shrine and receive their blessing! At Shitaya Shrine, which lies halfway between the popular sightseeing districts of Ueno and Asakusa, you can enjoy a short blessing for safe travels, good fortune or any matter where you feel you may need a nudge from a higher power. A guide will join you for interpretation, so this gives you the chance to ask the priest any burning questions you may have about Shintoism.