🏯 Japan Day 7: Takayama & Kyoto

📍 Places:

• Takayama

• Miyagawa River

• Kyoto – Ryokan Hostel Gion

🙏 Morning Prayer & Meditation at Zenkoji Temple

I woke up at Zenkoji Temple and got ready for morning prayer and meditation with the monks. The prayer started at 07:00, a fascinating and unique Buddhist ceremony.

Prayer was free to attend, but meditation cost 3,000 yen (~224 NOK) as a donation to the temple.

About Meditation:
Meditation is a mental practice where attention is consciously directed toward a specific object or phenomenon. The word comes from Latin and means "to think upon." Its goal can be physical and mental relaxation, well-being, increased mental capacity, spiritual insight, or even the quieting of thoughts and emotions. Meditation originated in India and is practiced in many religions and cultures.

At the temple, the monk led both the prayer and meditation. Many people attended, although some were still asleep. He began by talking about their beliefs, energy, life, being one with the cosmos, and more. Afterward, he instructed us to sit cross-legged, straighten our backs, and place our hands in a specific position in front of our stomachs. We were to become one with the universe and sense the invisible energies around us. Normally, you're supposed to keep your eyes half-closed, but since most of us were beginners, he allowed us to close our eyes.

We stayed in that position for 15 minutes, which honestly hurt after a while. I realized I'm easily distracted, the noise of cars and ambulances outside made it harder to focus. When the meditation ended, the monk told us to stretch and massage our legs before standing, warning that people have collapsed before when standing too quickly after sitting so long. This was my first meditation experience, interesting and educational, but 15 minutes felt too long for me.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Bring a small cushion or scarf to sit on, temple floors can be hard on your legs and back.

• If you're new to meditation, don't worry if your mind wanders, that's normal. Even 5 minutes can be meaningful.

• If you have circulation or knee issues, let the monk know, some temples allow chairs for meditation.

🛍 Morning Market by Miyagawa River

After meditation, we explored Takayama's old town and visited the morning market by the Miyagawa River. The market was small but charming, with lots of handmade crafts and food. I bought chopsticks for my dad and one of my sisters, engraved with their names in both Norwegian and Japanese. The engraving took 30 minutes because of the long line. I wanted to buy more, but we only had about an hour before we had to leave.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Arrive early at the market if you want custom items, engraving can take time.

• Carry cash, many vendors don't accept cards.

• Handmade souvenirs like chopsticks or pottery are unique gifts you won't find elsewhere.

🚄 Travel to Kyoto & Ryokan Hostel Gion

We took the train onward to Kyoto, where we checked into Ryokan Hostel Gion, a capsule-style hostel. The beds were bunks enclosed in their own little pods. All of us stayed in the same area, men on one side, women on the other, but everyone had a separate capsule. The capsules were surprisingly spacious, with curtains for privacy. Suitcases were scattered near the beds wherever there was room. Showers and toilets were in the hallway, requiring a keycard for access. The showers were private.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Capsule hostels are affordable and surprisingly comfortable, pack light to make managing luggage easier in shared spaces.

• Use packing cubes to keep your things organized, as suitcase storage can be limited.

• Always keep your valuables in a small bag or locker provided by the hostel.

🌸 Guided Tour Through Gion – Kyoto's Geisha District

In the evening, we joined a guided tour of Kyoto's Gion district, famous for its geisha. The local guide shared fascinating details about geisha history, their homes, and their work. We even spotted a couple of geisha!

Geisha are traditional Japanese artists who dress in elaborate makeup and kimono to entertain guests. A geisha's typical workday starts around 4:00 PM and lasts late into the night. Their duties include hosting tea ceremonies, performing theater, singing, dancing, and conversing with guests.
👉 Learn more about geisha here

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Be respectful: avoid blocking geisha paths or taking intrusive photos.

• Book a guided tour, local guides provide valuable context you won't get just by wandering.

• Wear comfortable shoes, Kyoto's cobblestone streets can be uneven.

🌟 Day Summary

This was an exciting and educational day, learning how monks pray, experiencing Buddhist meditation, discovering Takayama's markets, and walking through Gion to learn about geisha culture. A day full of history, tradition, and unique insights.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Donate when attending temple activities, it supports the upkeep of these historic places.

• Plan train transfers ahead of time, Japan's schedules are precise, and bullet trains won't wait.

• Kyoto can get crowded, travel during off-peak hours for a calmer experience.

• Take time to reflect on experiences like meditation or cultural tours, they can be emotionally and spiritually enriching.

Sources:

• Meditation – SNL

• Geisha – Japanguiden

• My own experiences