No matter where you live or what you do, a pace of your life is fast nowadays. It is essential to find moments to escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Zenbo Seinei on Awaji Island offers just what you need. A secluded Zen retreat in the heart of nature, Zenbo Seinei is where you can rejuvenate your mind and body through Japanese Zen and learn about Japanese culture. A four-hour retreat program includes meditation, yoga, zen tea ceremony, healthy vegan lunch, and zen incense making, suitable for both novice and regulars of zen retreat.
Awaji Island located in the Seto Inland Sea in Hyogo Prefecture is just one hour from Osaka, 1.5 hours from Kyoto or 30 minutes from Kobe/Sannomiya by public transportation. It is a perfect destination for a day trip to add to your Japan trip itinerary. Awaji Island is filled with beautiful nature, local gourmet food, interesting culture like Awaji Puppet Theater (Bunraku), a breathtaking sunset chosen as one of the “Top 100 Sunsets in Japan,” and fascinating historical sites as the birthplace of Japan based on Japanese mythology. Each season, Awaji Island offers its beauty in different colors. However, Spring is perfect in terms of temperature and a good time to enjoy amazing cherry blossoms and greeneries.
Table of Contents
Morning: Unveiling Tranquility and Peace at Zenbo Seinei on Awaji Island (1)
Meditation, Yoga, and Tea Ceremony to Find Who You Are
Zenbo Seinei is a serene sanctuary on Awaji Island, created by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. It embodies his innovative, sustainable design philosophy, featuring natural materials such as Japanese cedarwood. At its heart lies a breathtaking 100‑meter deck, offering an immersive 360° panorama of Awaji Island’s stunning natural landscape.
Join our day trip program and immerse yourself in carefully curated experiences that nurture inner peace. A guided meditation session and yoga invite you to practice mindfulness and discover stillness within, while the Zen tea ceremony with matcha offers a contemplative moment to savor the grace and refined beauty of Japanese culture.
Lunch at Zenbo Seinei
Healthy to Your Body and Beautiful to Your Eyes
The Zenbo Cuisine, a fully vegan Shojin Ryori under the supervision of Japan’s “Prince of Fermentation,” chef Nobuaki Fushiki, a trailblazer in the movement of “Hakkou-ryori” (fermented cuisine) allows guests to appreciate the flavors of Awaji Island’s natural ingredients while promoting well-being for the body and spirit. The Zenbo cuisine does not use animal products, flour, oil, or white sugar. Furthermore, ingredients fermented from scratch produce flavors found nowhere else, a feast for the senses and a blessing for human health.
| Name | Zenbo Seinei |
|---|---|
| Address | 2594-5 Aza-Banaka, Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9087 |
| Website | https://www.zenbo-seinei.com/en/ |
| Program Reservations | https://zenbo-seinei.urkt.in/direct/offices/587/courses |
| Hotel Reservation | https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/shan-fang-jing-zhu-dan-lu-shi2.html |
| Operation Hours | Mon: 9:00 am～5:00 pm / Tues～Sun: 11:00 am～6:30 pm Closed: Varies depending on a month. Please inquire. |
Click here for details of ZEN Wellness SEINEI
Afternoon: Incense Making Experience and Stunning Sunset Views
Hands-on Work Shop at Kunjudo, 133-Year Old Incense Factory/Store (2)
Awaji Island stands as a hub of incense production. Renowned for its significant role in Japanese incense manufacturing, Awaji Island claims to be the nation’s highest incense producer. The origins of Awaji Island as a center of incense production are recorded in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), one of Japan’s earliest official histories. In 595 A.D., a large piece of driftwood over two meters long washed ashore on the island’s west coast. Believing it to be ordinary wood, the islanders burned it on the fire—only to discover that the rising smoke carried an exquisite fragrance. The wood was presented to the Imperial Court, where its allure quickly spread. This very piece of driftwood, later identified as fragrant agarwood, is said to remain enshrined today at Kareki Shrine on Awaji Island
You can experience the captivating art of incense making on Awaji Island, the very birthplace of incense.
At Kunjudo founded in 1893, you can experience making your own incense in about 40 minutes and its activity can be easily participated in by anyone from small children to adults.
There are three different colors and seven different scents to choose from. You can mix colors and customize the scents to broaden the range of enjoyment.
Upon introducing water to your selected powder, guests can witness a gradual transformation of color. As guests vigorously blend the powder, a mild force triggers its solidification.
Once the powder has hardened, use a stick to roll it out to a uniform thickness. Repetitive stretching and folding cycles work to eliminate inconsistencies in both color and aroma.
The next step is shaping and refining the materials to achieve the desired shapes. This resembles the process of crafting cookies, efforts particularly delightful for children.
Lay them gently onto the cardboard surface. After allowing them to dry in a shaded location, away from direct sunlight, for a span of 3 to 4 days, the product is complete.
One of the “Top 100 Sunsets in Japan” on Awaji Island (3)
Awaji Island’s west coast is renowned for its spectacular sunsets, where the sun slowly sinks into the ocean, leaving the sky awash with vivid color. It is a breathtaking setting for unforgettable sunset photos—without the need to journey to a far‑flung destination. There are multiple beaches along the west coast where you can see the whole spectrum of colors and witness the sun descending into the ocean.
Keino-Matsubara Beach (3) is celebrated for its scenic beauty, praised in the Man’yōshū, Japan’s oldest surviving poetry anthology. From its pristine sandy shoreline to the centuries-old pine trees that flourish along the coast, the area offers a timeless, picturesque landscape. The view of the sun setting over the Harima-nada Sea, framed by graceful pine silhouettes, is especially captivating. Recognized among “Japan’s Top 100 Beaches,” the “Top 88 Beaches for Seaside Activities in Japan,” and “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets, Keino-Matsubara continues to attract visitors throughout the year.
Looking to rest and reset your mind and body? Contact us now to book your Awaji Island trip today!
Closing
Awaji Island offers a chance to reconnect with yourself as you find inner peace and immerse in Japanese culture through tea ceremony, incense making, and vegan, fermentation-based cuisine. Your day trip concludes with a breathtaking sunset over the sea, a beautiful finale to your journey. Closer than you might imagine, Awaji Island is a must‑visit destination on any trip to Japan. Don’t hesitate to reach out to plan an Awaji Island trip that fits your exact interests and needs today.
