Zazen Map Japan · Tokyo
Zazen in Tokyo
Tokyo has more public zazen than anywhere else in Japan, and almost none of it is
advertised to visitors. It happens in ordinary neighbourhood temples, down side streets,
at six or seven in the morning before people go to work, and it is very often free.
You will not find these on a tour booking site. They are the sittings Tokyo residents go
to, held in Japanese, and you are welcome at them. This page lists every one we have on
record inside the 23 wards: 70 temples, 13 of which take you without a
booking and 17 of which ask no fixed fee.
- 70temples listed
- 13take you without booking
- 17free or by donation
- 2mention English
Open the map on Tokyo
One temple in Tokyo runs a sitting in English once a month, and a second offers an
English session for visitors. Both are marked below. Everywhere else is in Japanese,
which matters less than you would think — zazen is mostly silent.
Things that are specific to Tokyo
-
The weekday morning sittings are the hidden ones. Several Tokyo temples sit
every weekday at 7:00 am and stop by 8:00, so people can go on to work. If you are
jet-lagged and awake at five, this is the easiest zazen to reach anywhere in Japan.
-
Look for the temple, not a sign. Most of these are working parish temples with
a graveyard behind them and no notice in English. The gate will be open and someone
will be inside. Walk in; that is what the open gate means.
-
The 23 wards are one thing, the Tama area is another. Temples in Ōme, Akiruno,
Fussa and Machida are inside Tokyo but an hour or more from the centre. They are
listed separately further down so you do not plan a 6:00 am start that needs a
4:30 train.
-
Evening sittings suit a sightseeing day better. A number run from 18:00 or
19:00, which leaves the daylight hours free. They are mixed in with the morning ones
below — check the time on each entry.
-
The big names are not here. Sensō-ji and Meiji Jingū do not hold public zazen;
the first is a different school of Buddhism and the second is a shrine, not a temple.
What Tokyo has instead is quantity and convenience.
Sittings you can just turn up to
No booking, no phone call. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time — many halls close the door once sitting has begun.
冝雲寺
Just turn upFreeChair seatingBeginners welcome
- When
- The 1st and 15th of each month, 6:00–7:00 am
毎月1日、15日6:00am-7:00am
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒135-0021 東京都江東区白河2-7-10
- Phone
- 03-3643-2183
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
座禅40分
お経
法話
椅子座禅も可能です。
初心者歓迎。
Show on the map Temple website
宋雲院
Just turn upFree
- When
- 2nd Saturday of the month, 7:00–9:00 pm
2nd Sunday of the month, 7:00–9:00 pm
2nd Monday of the month, 7:00–9:00 pm
毎月第2日曜前後3日間（土・日・月） 19:00〜21:00
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要（初参加は18:20集合）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗大徳寺派
- Address
- 〒110-0015 東京都台東区東上野4-1-12
- Phone
- 03-3844-3711
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
上野駅徒歩8分、稲荷町駅徒歩5分。坐禅と茶礼。テラヨガも開催
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曹洞宗宗務庁 微笑庵
Just turn upFree
- When
- Confirmed dates: Thu 22 Oct 2026, from 18:10
Thu 12 Nov 2026, from 18:10
Thu 10 Dec 2026, from 18:10
Thu 21 Jan 2027, from 18:10
Thu 4 Feb 2027, from 18:10
Thu 4 Mar 2027, from 18:10
禅教室: 月1回木曜 18:10〜20:00（第2〜4木曜で変動）
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒105-8544 東京都港区芝2-5-2
- Phone
- 03-3454-5415
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
曹洞宗本部施設（東京グランドホテル5階）。芝公園駅徒歩2分。朝粥精進料理つき体験や禅講座など。4月・8月休み
Show on the map Temple website
東江寺
Just turn upFree
- When
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:00–8:00 am
Every Friday, 7:00–8:00 pm
月〜土曜 7:00〜8:00、金曜 19:00〜20:00
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗大徳寺派
- Address
- 〒150-0012 東京都渋谷区広尾5-1-21
- Phone
- 03-3407-4490
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
広尾駅徒歩4分。毎朝坐禅会と金曜夕方坐禅会。初心者は金曜夕方or土曜朝に30分前来山推奨。坐禅と読経（般若心経）
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Shōgaku-ji 正覚寺
Just turn upFreeEnglish available
- When
- 1st Sunday of the month, from 2:00 pm 「英語で坐禅会」
2nd Sunday of the month, from 2:00 pm
毎月第一日曜日午後２時から英語で坐禅会
毎月第二日曜日午後２時から坐禅会
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒116-0013 東京都荒川区西日暮里５丁目８−７
- Phone
- 080-7472-6363
Show on the map Temple website
Shōkoku-ji Tokyo Betsuin 相国寺東京別院
Just turn upDonation
- When
- 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:30 am–12:00 pm 「維摩会」
毎月第2土曜 10:30〜12:00（維摩会）
- Cost
- Donation — give what you think is right
志納100円〜
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗相国寺派
- Address
- 〒107-0062 東京都港区南青山6-13-12
- Phone
- 03-3400-5858
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
表参道駅徒歩15分。提唱（寒山詩）・坐禅・茶礼。初心者可
Show on the map Temple website
香林院
Just turn upFree
- When
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 7:00 am
Every Sunday, from 5:00 pm
月～金曜日7:00～、日曜日17:00～、※年末年始：FBで要確認
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗大徳寺派
- Address
- 〒150-0012 東京都渋谷区広尾5-1-21
- Phone
- 03-5467-2963
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
広尾駅徒歩3分。朝活坐禅として人気。25分×2回（1回で退室可）。初心者は住職が作法指導。写経会（火・金10:00〜）、法話会（毎月15日19:00〜）も開催
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Entsū-ji 圓通寺
Just turn upChair seating
- When
- Every Sunday, 7:00–8:00 am
1st Saturday of the month, 4:00–5:00 pm
毎週日曜 7:00〜8:00、毎月第1土曜 16:00〜17:00
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要（初参加は30分前集合）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒131-0033 東京都墨田区向島3-11-6
- Phone
- 03-3622-7045
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
東武スカイツリー駅徒歩5分。椅子坐禅可。写経会・寺ヨガも開催
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Jōgan-ji 成願寺
Just turn up
- When
- Every Friday, 6:30–8:00 pm 「定例坐禅会」
毎週金曜 18:30〜20:30（定例坐禅会）、毎月1回土曜（井上坐禅会）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要（初回は18:20までに来山）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒164-0012 東京都中野区本町2-26-6
- Phone
- 03-3372-2711
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
中野坂上駅徒歩5分。中野長者ゆかりの600年の古刹。金曜定例は坐禅後に写経・読経・講義あり。井上貫道老師による正法眼蔵提唱会（月1回）。団体研修・一泊坐禅会も
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Takuboku Zen Dōjō 擇木禅道場
Just turn up
- When
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 6:30–7:00 am
Every Monday and Wednesday, 7:00–8:00 pm
Every Friday, 8:00–9:00 pm
Every Saturday, 1:00–3:00 pm 「日本文化を茶室で味わう会」
Every Saturday and Sunday, 5:00–6:00 pm
Every Sunday, 7:00–8:30 am
月曜 朝 6：30～7：00
月曜 夜 19：00～20：00 座禅後に茶話会
火曜 朝 6：30～7：00
水曜 朝 6：30～7：00
水曜 夜 19：00～20：00 座禅後に茶話会
木曜 朝 6：30～7：00
微笑会 毎月一回木曜 19:00～20:00 女性のための座禅会 座禅の前に短い写経
金曜 朝 6：30～7：00
金曜 夜（東京で夜一番遅い座禅会）20:00～21:00 座禅後に茶話会
土曜 午後 日本文化を茶室で味わう会 －座禅と茶道－ 13:00～15:00
土曜 夕方 17:00～18:00
日曜 朝 7:00～8:30
夕方 17:00～18:00 座禅後に茶話会
坐 TEN to FIVE 月一回 10:00～17:00
2泊3日の座禅会 年3回程度
1週間の座禅会（摂心会） 年3回
- Cost
- ¥500–¥1,500
初回1,000円。2回目以降500円。土曜午後のみ一律1,500円。
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
通常座禅会は予約不要（初回参加時は30分前にお越しください） 2泊3日の座禅会・ 1週間の座禅会（摂心会）の食事ご希望の場合のみご予約下さい。
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗
- Address
- 〒110-0001 東京都台東区谷中7-10-10
Show on the map Temple website
白泉寺
Just turn up
- When
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6:00 am
1st Friday of the month, 6:00–8:00 pm
毎月第1金曜 18:00〜20:00、月〜土 朝6:00〜（朝のおつとめと坐禅）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒170-0002 東京都豊島区巣鴨5-32-5
- Phone
- 03-3917-2215
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
西巣鴨駅徒歩7分、新庚申塚駅徒歩3分。写経会（第1・3土曜 9:30〜）も開催
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Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin 豊川稲荷東京別院
Just turn up
- When
- 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:30–7:30 am (not in January, February, May, August and September)
毎月第2・第4水曜 6:30〜7:30頃（6:00受付開始）
- Cost
- ¥1,000
1,000円
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 東京都港区元赤坂1-4-7
- Phone
- 03-3408-3414
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
朝活坐禅会。2階法輪閣にて。8月休講、1・2月および5・9月大祭日も休講。赤坂見附駅徒歩5分
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Chōshū-ji 重秀寺
Just turn up
- When
- 1st Sunday of the month, from 6:00 am
毎月第1日曜 6:00〜（坐禅6:00、法話7:30、茶話会8:00）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒108-0072 東京都港区白金2-1-16
- Phone
- 03-3441-3856
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
白金高輪駅徒歩2分。2026年開創400年。団体・企業向け坐禅研修も対応。上田宗箇流茶道教室あり
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Sittings to book or check first
These ask for contact in advance, or do not say either way. A short email in Japanese works better than a phone call — there is a template you can copy on the main English page.
Sōfuku-ji 宗福寺
Free
- When
- Confirmed dates: Sun 27 Sep 2026, from 07:00
月1回 日曜 7:00〜（受付6:30〜6:55）
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒143-0021 東京都大田区北馬込2-5-5
- Phone
- 03-3771-1481
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
馬込駅徒歩4分。同日午後3時から写経会も開催
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是照院
Donation
- When
- Every Saturday, 3:30–6:00 pm
毎週土曜午後15時30分~18時 了って茶礼
- Cost
- Donation — give what you think is right
初回のみ500円2回目以降は志納
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒112-0001 東京都文京区白山2-20-1
- Phone
- 03-3811-1559
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
(1)地下鉄東京メトロ丸の内線南北線「後楽園」8番出口より徒歩10分 (2)地下鉄都営三田線大江戸線「春日」A5番出口より徒歩10分 (3)総武線「水道橋」より徒歩20分
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正覺寺
Free
- When
- Confirmed dates: Sun 27 Sep 2026, 14:00–17:00 「日曜坐禅会」
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒116-0013 東京都荒川区西日暮里5-8-7
- Phone
- 080-7472-5353
Show on the map Temple website
Sengaku-ji 泉岳寺
FreeChair seating
Open only to people who have already attended other sittings here — not a first visit.
- When
- Every day, from 4:30 am 「曉天坐禅」
4th Saturday of the month 「はじめての坐禅会」
2nd Sunday of the month, 8:30 am–5:00 pm 「参禅会」
曉天坐禅: 4・9のつく日以外毎日 4:30〜、はじめての坐禅会: 毎月第4土曜、参禅会（一日坐禅）: 毎月第2日曜 8:30〜17:00、月例坐禅（夜）: 月1回 18:00〜
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
はじめての坐禅会は電話予約要。曉天坐禅は参禅会3回以上参加が条件
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒108-0074 東京都港区高輪2-11-1
- Phone
- 03-3441-5560
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
赤穂浪士で有名な曹洞宗江戸三箇寺の一つ。泉岳寺駅徒歩2分。椅子坐禅対応。ほぼ毎日早朝坐禅あり
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法身寺
Free
- When
- 3rd Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm
毎月第3木曜午後6時半~
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗円覚寺派
- Address
- 〒162-0053 東京都新宿区原町3-82
- Phone
- 03-3202-4876
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
(1)地下鉄大江戸線「牛込柳町」下車、徒歩5分 (2)東西線「早稲田」下車、徒歩15分
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海禅寺
Donation
- When
- Every Saturday, 6:00–8:00 pm
毎週土曜午後6時~8時。毎月第一土曜日は提唱。その他土曜日は独参可能
- Cost
- Donation — give what you think is right
志納
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒111-0036 東京都台東区松が谷3-3-3
- Phone
- 03-3841-2742
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
営団地下鉄「田原町」または「稲荷前」徒歩10分。対象は僧侶・居士・大姉
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Rinshō-in 麟祥院
Free
- When
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 7:30–8:20 am
2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 2:00–3:30 pm
平日 午前7時30分~8時20分(25分2回) 第2第4土曜 午後2時~3時30分(25分3回)
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒113-0034 東京都文京区湯島4-1-8
- Phone
- 03-3811-7648
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
東京メトロ丸ノ内線「本郷三丁目駅」より徒歩7分、大江戸線「本郷三丁目駅」より徒歩6分、千代田線「湯島駅」より徒歩5分、JR「御茶ノ水駅」、JR「御徒町駅」より徒歩12分。申込不要。温かいお茶を御用意しております
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Ryūun-ji 龍雲寺
Free
- When
- Every Sunday, 7:00–8:30 am
2nd Saturday of the month, 6:00–7:00 pm
毎週日曜午前７時~8時半（6時半開場）
毎月第２土曜 18時~19時（17時半開場）
- Cost
- Free
会費不要
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒154-0003 東京都世田谷区野沢3-38-1
- Phone
- 03-3421-0238
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
東横線「学芸大学」、田園都市線「駒澤大学」徒歩20分
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Zenshō-an 全生庵
- When
- The 28th of each month, 6:00–8:00 pm
Every day, 5:00–7:00 am 「早朝坐禅会」
(1)毎月28日 午後6時~8時 (2)早朝坐禅会(除:日曜日)午前5時~7時 (3)日曜坐禅会 毎日曜日 午後6時~8時 指導者平井正修
- Cost
- ¥100–¥500
(1)500円 (3)100円
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗国泰寺派
- Address
- 〒110-0001 東京都台東区谷中5-4-7
- Phone
- 03-3821-4715
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
(2)早朝坐禅会 (3)日曜坐禅会 (1)JR・京成電鉄「日暮里駅」下車、徒歩10分 (2)地下鉄千代田線「千駄木駅」下車、徒歩5分
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大光寺
- When
- 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, 2:00–5:00 pm
毎月第2・第4日曜 14:00〜17:00
- Cost
- ¥500
500円
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒168-0064 東京都杉並区永福3-55-13
- Phone
- 03-3321-7096
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
不動道場。坐禅・提唱・茶礼。西永福駅徒歩3分
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Tōshō-ji 大雲山 東照寺
- When
- Every day, 5:00–7:00 am (not in July and August)
last Saturday of the month, from 5:00 am (July)
last Sunday of the month, from 5:00 am (July)
毎日5:00〜7:00（日・祝除く）、土曜18:00〜20:00、夏期集中修行（7月最終土日）
- Cost
- ¥5,000
夏期集中5,000円
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（5名以上のグループ）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒142-0042 東京都品川区豊町4-5-18
- Phone
- 03-3781-4235
Show on the map Temple website
Tenryū-in 天龍院
- When
- 2nd Wednesday of the month, 1:30–3:00 pm
4th Wednesday of the month, 7:00–8:30 pm
月2回水曜（第2水曜 13:30〜15:00、第4水曜 19:00〜20:30）
- Cost
- ¥1,000
1,000円
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（開催日25日前から受付）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒110-0001 東京都台東区谷中4-4-33
- Phone
- 03-3821-3857
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
東京禅センター主催の坐禅体験。千駄木駅徒歩5分、日暮里駅徒歩10分
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宝泉寺
- When
- Every day, 6:00–7:00 am 「早朝坐禅会」
毎朝 6:00〜7:00（早朝坐禅会）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒164-0002 東京都中野区上高田4-13-1
- Phone
- 03-3385-2106
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
早朝読経会（毎朝7:00〜20分間）も開催。東中野駅徒歩8分、落合駅徒歩7分
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Enen-ji 慧然寺
- When
- Every Saturday, 5:00–6:00 pm
毎週土曜午後5時~6時
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗円覚寺派
- Address
- 〒135-0033 東京都江東区深川2-22-11
- Phone
- 03-3641-6832
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
営団地下鉄東西線、大江戸線「門前仲町」・「清澄白河」より徒歩10分。職員の都合により休会有り。事前確認を
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智光院
- When
- 2nd Sunday of the month, 4:30–6:00 pm (not in July and August)
毎月第2日曜16時30分~18時(7・8月は休会)
- Cost
- ¥200
200円
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒166-0014 東京都杉並区松ノ木3-33-30
- Phone
- 03-3313-3754
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
(1)地下鉄丸ノ内線「新高円寺駅」下車、徒歩5分。経験者対象
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曹源寺
- When
- 2nd Sunday of the month, 4:00–6:00 pm (not in July)
毎月第2日曜 16:00〜18:00
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒111-0036 東京都台東区松が谷3-7-2
- Phone
- 03-3841-2035
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
かっぱ寺として有名。つくばエクスプレス浅草駅徒歩9分。7月休会
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Tōchō-ji 東長寺
Chair seating
- When
- Every Saturday, 6:00–7:30 pm
毎週土曜 18:00〜19:30、月1回朝坐禅 6:30〜
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒160-0004 東京都新宿区四谷4-34
- Phone
- 03-3341-9746
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
新宿御苑前駅徒歩9分。椅子坐禅可。文由閣にて朝坐禅はお粥付き。写経会も開催
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Rinsen-ji 林泉寺
Beginners welcome
- When
- Every Monday, 6:00–8:00 am
Every Wednesday, 7:00–9:00 pm
毎週月曜 6:00～8:00、毎週水曜 19:00～21:00
- Cost
- ¥500
500円（任意）
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（初回は水曜18:30～、前日までに電話）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒112-0006 東京都文京区小日向4-7-2
- Phone
- 03-3943-0605
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
初心者歓迎。団体坐禅会も可（大人2000円、小中高生1000円）
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Tōrin-ji 桃林寺
- When
- 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month, 4:00–5:00 pm
月2回（日曜 16:00〜17:00）
- Cost
- Ask the temple — see the Japanese below
LINE予約
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（LINE）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒111-0042 東京都台東区寿1-19-1
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
Instagram: @asakusa_torinji
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Taisō-ji 泰宗寺
Beginners welcome
- When
- Every Saturday, 8:00–9:00 am
毎週土曜 8:00〜9:00
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
初回は事前連絡要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒170-0003 東京都豊島区駒込7-1-1
- Phone
- 03-3917-4477
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
JR巣鴨駅・駒込駅 徒歩10分。集合は20分前。初心者歓迎。月1回読経会もあり。慶長年間創建の九鬼家菩提寺
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Saishō-ji 濟松寺
- When
- 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 2:00–4:00 pm
毎月第1・3土曜日の午後2時~4時(変更あり)
- Cost
- ¥500
500円(事前に申し込み:詳しくはHP)
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（境内非公開）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒162-0806 東京都新宿区榎町77
- Phone
- 03-3268-7908
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
【最寄り駅】 〔東京メトロ 東西線〕「早稲田駅」または、「神楽坂駅」下車 徒歩10分 〔都営バス〕「牛込保健センター前」下車 徒歩3分／三代将軍家光ゆかりの寺。坐禅堂にて坐禅後茶礼。神楽坂駅徒歩8分
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Kōun-ji 耕雲寺
- When
- Every Saturday, from 7:00 pm 「経験者」
1st Sunday of the month, from 6:00 am 「早朝坐禅会」
土曜19時（経験者）、毎月第1日曜早朝坐禅会
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒157-0073 東京都世田谷区砧7-12-22
- Phone
- 03-3416-1735
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萬昌院功運寺
- When
- 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 6:00 pm
毎月第1・第3火曜 18:00〜
- Cost
- Ask the temple — see the Japanese below
要確認
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要確認
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 東京都中野区上高田4-14-1
- Phone
- 03-3387-6321
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
吉良義央（忠臣蔵）の墓所。東中野駅徒歩12分、落合駅徒歩8分
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起雲山 大龍寺
Chair seating
- When
- 1st Saturday of the month, 5:00–6:20 pm
1st Saturday of the month, 5:30–7:20 pm
月1回（主に第1土曜）17:00～ 初心者17:00-18:20/経験者17:30-19:20
- Cost
- Free, with a charge in some cases
500円程度（任意、檀信徒無料）
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
予約必要
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒162-0053 東京都新宿区原町２丁目62
- Phone
- 03-3203-8394
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
椅子坐禅可。個別坐禅・オンライン坐禅（Zoom）も対応
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Yōgaku-ji 陽岳寺
English available
- When
- 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 7:30–9:30 pm 「オンライン坐禅会」
毎月第2・第4金曜 19:30〜21:30（オンライン坐禅会）、不定期で対面坐禅会
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要確認（公式サイト・LINE）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒135-0033 東京都江東区深川2-16-27
- Phone
- 03-3641-1580
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
門前仲町駅徒歩5分。「不二の会」として坐禅・ヨガ・茶の会を開催。外国人向け英語禅体験あり。企業研修対応。ボードゲームや薬膳粥イベントなど独自企画も
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Seishō-ji 青松寺
- When
- 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00–8:30 pm
毎月第3木曜 19:00〜20:30（初心者説明18:30〜）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要申込（公式サイトの坐禅ページから）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒105-0002 東京都港区愛宕2-4-7
- Phone
- 03-3431-3733
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
御成門駅徒歩5分・神谷町駅徒歩8分。初心者指導枠先着15名。個別参禅も応相談。写経会（第2木曜）・仏教講座（第3土曜）あり。江戸三箇寺の一つ
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静勝寺
- When
- Every Sunday, 6:00–6:45 am
1st Saturday of the month, 2:30–4:30 pm
毎月第1土曜 14:30〜16:30、毎週日曜 6:00〜6:45（完全予約制）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
日曜朝坐禅は完全予約制（電話）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒115-0055 東京都北区赤羽西1-21-17
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
JR赤羽駅南口 徒歩3分。太田道灌公ゆかりの寺。日曜朝は坐禅後に読経・法話の朝の会あり。写経会（第2土曜）もあり
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高歩院（鉄舟会禅道場）
- When
- Every Saturday, 7:55–11:15 am
Every Friday, 6:45–8:30 pm 「夜坐禅」
4th Saturday of the month, 7:30–9:30 am 「禅話会」
毎週土曜 7:55〜11:15、毎週金曜 18:45〜20:30、第4土曜 7:30〜9:30（禅話会）
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
初回はメール連絡要（teshukai@gmail.com）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗天龍寺派
- Address
- 〒164-0011 東京都中野区中央1-17-3
- Phone
- 03-5338-9220
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
山岡鉄舟邸跡に建つ禅道場。JR東中野駅徒歩10分・中野坂上駅徒歩9分。土曜は坐禅・提唱・書道・茶礼。金曜は夜坐禅。月例接心・夏季大接心あり
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Ryōkō-ji 龍光寺
- When
- Every Sunday, 8:00–9:00 am
毎週日曜 8:00〜9:00
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
事前に電話で確認推奨（行事で休会の場合あり）
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗東福寺派
- Address
- 〒113-0021 東京都文京区本駒込1-5-2
- Phone
- 03-3811-4724
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
本駒込駅徒歩数分。『早春賦』作詞者・吉丸一昌の菩提寺。写経会・書道教室・茶道教室もあり
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Ryūgen-ji 龍源寺
- When
- 1st Saturday of the month, 10:00 am–12:00 pm (not in January)
1st Saturday of the month, 1:30–3:30 pm (not in January)
毎月第1土曜 午前10時~12時 午後1時半~3時半 (1月は中止)
- Cost
- ¥200
200円
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Rinzai Zen 臨済宗妙心寺派
- Address
- 〒108-0073 東京都港区三田5-9-23
- Phone
- 03-3451-1853
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
JR山手線「田町駅」下車、徒歩5分 東京メトロ「白金高輪駅」下車、徒歩5分
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Denchū-ji 龍谷山 田中寺
- When
- Every Saturday, 7:00–8:30 pm
毎週土曜 19:00～20:30
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒162-0802 東京都新宿区改代町11
- Phone
- 03-3268-7624
Show on the map Temple website
Temples that hold zazen but publish no fixed schedule
These run sittings by arrangement, or on dates announced only on their own site. Contact them directly if one is near where you are staying.
Not running at the moment
These temples have suspended their public sitting. We keep them listed because they may start again, but do not plan around them.
永平寺別院長谷寺
Currently suspended
- When
- Not running at the moment. The temple has suspended this sitting.
毎週月曜 18:30〜20:30（月曜参禅会）※現在休止中、再開時期未定
- Cost
- ¥100
100円
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要確認（再開後は公式サイト参照）
- School
- Sōtō Zen 曹洞宗
- Address
- 〒106-0031 東京都港区西麻布2-21-34
- Phone
- 03-3400-5232
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
曹洞宗大本山永平寺の東京別院。表参道駅徒歩10分。初心者・中級・参禅とコース分け。麻布大観音。月曜参禅会はコロナ以降休止中のため再開を要確認
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Not zazen — other temple meditation in Tokyo
These temples belong to other schools of Japanese Buddhism and what they teach is not zazen. Several run ajikan (阿字観), a Shingon practice built around visualising a single written character. It is sitting meditation, but it is a different tradition with a different method. They are listed here because people looking for one often want to know about the other.
一心寺
Beginners welcome
- When
- The 28th of each month, from 7:30 am
朝7:30〜（坐禅と仏具の御磨き体験）
- Cost
- Ask the temple — see the Japanese below
要確認（アソビュー等で予約可）
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約
- School
- Shingon — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 真言宗智山派
- Address
- 〒140-0001 東京都品川区北品川2-4-18
- Phone
- 03-3471-3911
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
京急新馬場駅徒歩5分。品川宿場町のお寺。初心者歓迎。毎月28日縁日でほうろく灸体験あり。東海七福神・寿老人
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円融寺
FreeBeginners welcome
- When
- last Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 am
毎月最終水曜 朝の部8:00〜／夜の部20:00〜
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
予約制（公式サイト申込フォームより）
- School
- Tendai — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 天台宗
- Address
- 〒152-0003 東京都目黒区碑文谷1-22-22
- Phone
- 03-3712-2098
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
都区内最古の木造建築（釈迦堂・重要文化財）。平安時代創建の古刹。写経会・法華経講座もあり。西小山駅徒歩15分／「ちょっと坐ろう会」。重要文化財の釈迦堂で開催。初心者歓迎
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本寿院
- When
- No fixed schedule published.
事前予約制
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約
- School
- Tendai — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 天台宗系単立
- Address
- 〒143-0025 東京都大田区南馬込1-16-2
- Phone
- 03-3772-8889
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
馬込駅A1出口徒歩7分。座禅・法話・寺ヨガ・つちぼとけ体験など。お骨仏のお寺
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正福寺
Beginners welcome
- When
- No fixed schedule published.
不定期（aini体験サイト経由で開催）
- Cost
- Ask the temple — see the Japanese below
要確認（資料代・指導代・お茶菓子代込み）
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（aini経由）
- School
- Shingon — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 真言宗智山派
- Address
- 東京都墨田区墨田2-6-20
- Phone
- 03-3611-6655
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
阿字観瞑想体験。初心者向け丁寧な指導あり。鐘ヶ淵駅徒歩5〜10分
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深川不動堂
- When
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month, from 12:00 am 「阿字観」
阿字観 月4回（定員16名）
- Cost
- ¥1,000
1,000円
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約
- School
- Shingon — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 真言宗智山派
- Address
- 〒135-0047 東京都江東区富岡1-17-13
- Phone
- 03-3641-8287
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
成田山東京別院。門前仲町駅徒歩2分。阿字観（真言密教の瞑想法）。宝蔵大日堂にて開催
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真福寺（智積院東京別院）
- When
- The 8th of each month, from 2:00 pm
阿字観会 月1回
- Cost
- Not stated — ask when you contact them
- Booking
- Not stated — best to ask
要電話連絡
- School
- Shingon — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 真言宗智山派
- Address
- 〒105-0002 東京都港区愛宕1-3-8
- Phone
- 03-3431-1081
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
総本山智積院東京別院。虎ノ門駅徒歩8分。阿字観（真言密教の瞑想法）。写経会（毎月8日14:00〜）も開催
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養願寺
- When
- No fixed schedule published.
不定期（公式サイトで日程告知）
- Cost
- ¥3,000
3,000円以上
- Booking
- Book or contact them first
要予約（各回先着5名）
- School
- Tendai — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 天台宗
- Address
- 〒140-0001 東京都品川区北品川2-3-12
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
新馬場駅北口徒歩3分。坐禅指導・坐禅・呈茶で約60分。東海七福神・布袋様
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高野山東京別院
Just turn upFree
- When
- 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, from 10:00 am 「阿字観実修会」
阿字観実修会 月2回土曜 10:00〜
- Cost
- Free
無料
- Booking
- Not required — just turn up
不要（初参加は9:30集合）
- School
- Shingon — not a Zen school; what is practised here is not zazen 高野山真言宗
- Address
- 〒108-0074 東京都港区高輪3-15-18
- Phone
- 03-3441-3338
The temple’s own notes (Japanese)
阿字観（真言密教の瞑想法）。高輪台駅徒歩10分。写経会も同日開催
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Beyond the 23 wards
Outside the city itself, still within reach on a local train.
Before you go
- Wear something you can fold your legs in. Loose trousers. You will be in socks or bare feet.
- Bring cash. Temples rarely take cards, and a donation box takes nothing else.
- Say it is your first time. 初めてです
(hajimete desu) is the single most useful thing you can say on arrival.
- You may sit on a chair. Accepted at most temples and still zazen.
椅子で参加できますか (isu de sanka dekimasu ka).
The main English page has the rest — what happens during a sitting,
what the keisaku stick is, the Japanese words you will see on the map, and an email template
for booking when you have no Japanese.
Questions people ask
Where can I do zazen in Tokyo without booking?
13 temples inside the 23 wards take you without any booking — you turn up ten to fifteen minutes before the start. They are listed first below, with the wards and addresses. Several sit every weekday morning, so there is usually something on within a day of whenever you are reading this.
Is there zazen in English in Tokyo?
Yes, though not much. Shōgaku-ji in Arakawa holds a sitting in English on the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm, free, with no booking — the clearest option in the city. Yōgaku-ji in Kōtō lists an English Zen experience among its activities, though its regular sitting is held online. Sōji-ji, one of the two head temples of Sōtō Zen, is just over the boundary in Yokohama and runs an English sitting once a month. Everything else is in Japanese.
How much does zazen cost in Tokyo?
17 of the sittings here ask no fixed fee — either free outright or shinō (志納), a donation of whatever you think right, usually ¥500 to ¥1,000. Where a temple sets a price it is almost always between ¥300 and ¥1,000. Bring cash.
What time do Tokyo zazen sessions start?
Early morning and evening, with little in between. Mornings are typically 6:00 to 7:30, evenings 18:00 to 20:00. Both are shown with exact times above.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Instructions at a zazen sitting are physical — how to fold your legs, where to put your hands, where to look — and are usually demonstrated rather than explained. Say 初めてです (hajimete desu), "this is my first time", when you arrive and someone will show you.
Temples cancel for funerals and memorial services at no notice. For an early start
you are travelling across the city for, send a short message the day before —
there is a Japanese template on the main English page you can copy.
Listings on this page were generated from our database on 23 September 2026. They are compiled from public sources and from corrections sent in by temples and visitors. The temple always has the last word.
Zazen Map Japan