A new online consultation service by the name of “Soudan no Madoguchi” (Consultation Window) has been launched in Japan as a measure against rising stress levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Stress levels are soaring in Japan because of the sudden societal changes people have had to adapt to, such as having to work from home. The novel coronavirus has had enormous impact the world over. Those in Japan who are suffering from heightened stress can now make use of the Soudan no Madoguchi one-to-one online consultation service where they can talk to a Buddhist temple priest.
The priests will listen to peoples’ worries, whether it be about the worry of working from home, difficulties faced with raising kids, and so on. Consultations can take place without any references to Buddhism, but they are available in Japanese only. Slots are booked via the service’s official website. The standard fee is ¥2,000, but this is not compulsory: those who have had a consultation can decide their own price at the end of the session.
Aoe Kakuhō – Chief Priest at Ryokusen-ji Temple
Mitsuaki Tooshima – Assistant Priest at Kyogan-ji Temple
Priests that people can talk to are all active priests from the contemporary world of Buddhism and include priests with MBA’s, those with experience holding seminars on mental health, and more. Sessions offer the chance for people to look inward and relieve their worries. The service is a great way for those who want to talk to someone but are unable to.
Information
Application Form (Japanese): https://oteranavi.com/kibou_touroku_form/
*Please note that applications may close if the number of applicants exceeds a certain number
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Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project from November 23 until December 8 at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto.
On the first day of the event, the venue, decorated with autumn leaves, was crowded with visitors including foreign tourists, who marveled at the fantastic space filled harmoniously with gold and blue. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy. After the exhibition, the main art piece by Yoshitaka himself will be converted to 3DCG, and a Virtual Golden World will be developed in collaboration with the Yoshitaka Amano VR Museum. By integrating traditional and modern art methods, guests will be able to engage more deeply in the art by enjoying digital works, the metaverse, and NFTs. Don't miss this curious exhibition! Information
Golden World: Infinite Light by Yoshitaka Amano
～GOLDEN VIEW OF THE WORLD～
Running: November 23 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Myoshin-ji
Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:00
Tickets on sale until 15:30 each day.
Official Site: https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
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Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project in Kyoto. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Stepping into the temple, guests will be met with colorful autumn leaves and a sea of gold and blue art pieces. “I want people to enter this world of light and experience being part of it,” Amano said. “Rather than art being something flat on a wall, I want to present something new and unique.” This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy. The main art piece, newly painted by Amano himself, will be on display in the Dharma Hall, which was decorated by one of Kano Tan’yu’s masterpieces. Tan’yu was an Edo-period painter.
The three meter tall column features Amano’s own interpretation of Hiten, part of Mount Meru, a part of Buddhism cosmology considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Four smaller pieces will be displayed on all four sides to create a three-dimensional mandala. Information
Golden World: Infinite Light by Yoshitaka Amano
～GOLDEN VIEW OF THE WORLD～
Running: November 23 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Myoshin-ji (1 Hanazonomyoshinjicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto)
Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:00 *Tickets sold until 15:30
Admission: Adults ¥700 / Children ¥400
Details: https://goldenworld.jp/
Official Site: https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
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THE THOUSAND KYOTO hotel will begin selling a special afternoon tea set in conjunction with the Buddhist Temple Shoujuin on May 9, 2022. These scrumptious treats can be enjoyed at the hotel’s second-floor cafe and bar TEA AND BAR until July 15.
This offering was made with the thought of escaping the summer heat in mind. Customers can enjoy eight kinds of sweet and savory dishes, from quiche and salmon sandwiches to scones with honey and sweet bean paste. Souvenirs
Kanouhimo
Sange
The entrance to the cafe will also be transformed to reflect the majesty of Shoujuin Temple. The early summer scenery will be captured with majestic hydrangeas, which will surround guests and prove the perfect background for photos. Guests can also go home with two traditional souvenirs. Both the kanouhimo and sange are lucky charms typically available at Shoujuin on holidays.Information
Shoujuin x TEA AND BAR Afternoon Tea ~Refreshing Green Tea Ceremony~
Running: May 9 – July 15, 2022 *Reservations required at least 2 days in advance.
Where: Cafe & Bar TEA AND BAR (THE THOUSAND KYOTO 2F)
Hours: First Seating 11:30~14:30 / Second Seating 15:30~18:30
Details: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/the-thousand-kyoto/
Reservations: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/the-thousand-kyoto-teaandbar/reserve?menu_lists[]=623ecb27bf993d000fa9a382 -
Constructed in 1175, the Kurodani Temple is one of the head temples of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism. Though typically closed to the public, the grounds will open for a short period to allow guests to experience some beautiful autumn scenery beginning November 12, 2021. This temple is associated with the Shinsengumi and served as the headquarters of the Aizu Clan at the end of the Edo period, so those interested in history won’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity.
[Night] Shiun Garden
[Day] Autumn Leaves at the Main Gate
[Day] Shiun Garden
[Night] Autumn Leaves at the Main Gate
Temple Grounds at Sunset
The Tiger's Room
Ohoujou Garden
Founders Hall
Live Koto Performance
Gokoushiyuiamidabutsu, ‘Afro Buddha’
Guests will be able to enjoy the gorgeous autumn temple scenery during both daytime and nighttime, with the night viewing also offering some traditional Japanese live music. Visitors can also see various temple treasures and historical items, as well as the Tiger Room, known for its painted doors. The unique and aptly named Afro Buddha will also be on display. After training for an extremely long period of time, the Buddha’s hair piled up, giving him this strangely modern appearance. On a clear day, guests will be able to see clear to the Abeno Harukas building in Osaka. Vividly painted ceilings and other statues will completely surround visitors in spiritual history. At night, traditional Japanese music will be played at three different times in the front gardens. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the temple will offer a Premium Plan, allowing interested guests to enter the grounds 30 minutes before general admission starts. (This will require reservations made on the official website.) This will also include a guided tour! How would you like to experience this piece of Japanese history while surrounded by unforgettable autumn foliage?Information
Special Autumn Viewing
Kudodani Temple, Kyoto – The Head Temple of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism
Address: 121 Kurodanicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Night Viewing Details: https://www.kurodani.jp/lightup/
Day Viewing Details: https://www.kurodani.jp/sp_daytime/
Daytime Viewing
Running: November 12 – December 5, 2021
Hours: 10:00-16:30 (Final Admission at 16:00)
Special Viewing Areas: Mikado, Daihojo, the Gardens, two locations at the main gate
Night Viewing
Running: November 12 – December 5, 2021
Hours: 17:30-20:30 (Final Admission at 20:00)
Live traditional Japanese music will be performed in the garden located in front of the Main Hall at 17:45, 18:30, and 19:15
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Last year, the Pola Museum Annex in Tokyo hosted a charity auction to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic breaking out across the globe. As the world continues to feel the effects of the virus, the charity event is returning for a second year, and is set to be held from November 12 until December 5, 2021. The title for this year’s art exhibition is ‘Find Your Travel.’
Lemon Tree - Yuka Kashihara. Acrylic and oil on canvas. 2020.
POLA Dot or snowball ~Based on Tosa Mitsuyoshi’s Colored Painting of Yugiri from The Tale of Genji~ - Tetsuya Noguchi. Acrylic. 2020.
our whereabouts - Moe Nakamura. Camphor, bronze, oil. 2021.
Philanthropy - Yuko Higuchi. Hemp paper, pen, watercolor. 2020.
Baby Heel-less Shoes - Noritaka Tatehama. Cowhide, pigskin, dye, metal zipper, coated crystal glass. 2020.
Last year’s charity auction raised over ¥9,145,000 (about $83,000) for the Japanese Red Cross. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, and as Japan remains locked down, this year’s event hopes to raise even more useful funds to help medical professionals on the front lines. 20 artists are participating in the exhibition, with each creating one work based on the theme of ‘travel.’ In addition to simply viewing these pieces at the exhibition, a silent auction will also be held online. With travel being severely restricted, these works of art seek to inspire and encourage visitors to imagine a better future, when the world is open once again. All proceeds will once again be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.Information
Find Your Travel Charity Auction
Running: November 12 – December 5, 2021
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (Last entry 18:30) / Admission Free
Address: Pola Museum Annex 3F (1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Official Site: http://www.po-holdings.co.jp/m-annex/
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Takayama Hotel Zenko-ji isn’t your typical hotel: this Buddhist temple invites anyone, regardless of faith or nationality, to stay in one of its five rooms. The property has now opened the ‘Activity Cafe Zenko-ji,’ a place to rest and relax while learning more about various cultures and, of course, traditional Buddhism.
The well-ventilated and airy temple. All drinks, including coffee and tea, are free of charge. The Takayama Zenko-ji Lounge AreaEnjoy free Wi-Fi, ample power supplies, and clean restrooms. Feel free to work remotely and have meetings in the main hall. Being in a new space will open up your mind and expand your creativity. The cafe was first opened for a limited time beginning in April 2021, inviting locals and tourists alike to come and find stress relief while praying for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, given the location’s immediate popularity, it will now be open for good. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of people have lost their physical and mental balance. For both the locals and visiting tourists, the temple is meant to be a place where anyone can find a sense of calm and peace of mind. Deep in the city of Takayama, this is where people are meant to relax, feel energized, and regain who they used to be before this stress became the new normal. Hiroshi Yamamoto, a Buddhist priest who works as the manager at Temple Hotel Zenko-ji, is the founder of the Activity Cafe. Hoping to help bring back the bustling tourist atmosphere of Takayama, he intends the space to be a meeting ground for locals and visitors from around the world to interact naturally. After graduating from an American university and working as an English teacher, Yamamoto became ordained as a Buddhist monk. Now a certified meditation instructor, he specializes in teaching meditation and Buddhist programs in English. Those utilizing the cafe can experience asceticism by walking through a dark tunnel to help find their inner peace, and can also try their hand at sutra-writing! How would you like to spend some time at the Activity Cafe in Takayama? Information
Activity Cafe Takayama Zenko-ji
Address: 4-3 Tenma-cho, Takayama, Gifu
Phone: 0577-32-8470
Reservations not needed
Official Site: https://oterastay.com/zenkoji/cafe/