Whether seeker or skeptic, come rest in the present – no epiphanies needed, just your simple presence.
CONCEPT
Discover Zenvacation: A Unique Wellness Retreat in Gero City, JapanExperience the ultimate wellness retreat at Zenvacation, nestled in the serene Temple of the Jewel Dragon (玉龍寺) in Gero City, Japan. Our unique concept blends Zen-inspired tranquility with modern relaxation techniques, offering a perfect escape for those seeking stress relief and rejuvenation. Surrounded by vibrant maple trees and featuring intricate dragon motifs, our ancient temple provides a breathtaking backdrop for your journey to inner peace.
At Zenvacation, we emphasize freedom and personal growth, allowing you to craft your own wellness experience without imposing rigid spiritual practices. Our on-site accommodations range from short-term retreats to extended spiritual sojourns, all set within the temple grounds. Immerse yourself in the local culture with exclusive access to Nakasa, a Michelin-recognized soba restaurant, and savor the award-winning "Dragon Rice" (Ryu no Hitomi), a premium local variety 1.5 times larger than standard rice.Whether you choose to engage in mindfulness activities, explore nearby hot springs, indulge in culinary delights, or simply bask in the quiet atmosphere, our retreat offers a tailored approach to wellness tourism. Led by a progressive abbot open to global cultures, Zenvacation invites you to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with your essential self in a truly transformative setting that harmoniously blends spiritual growth with sensory pleasures.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Joseph Campbell, the renowned professor and researcher of world mythology, once recounted a tale of a Western philosopher at a conference on religion in Japan. Perplexed, the Westerner asked a Shinto priest, "I don't get your ideology. I don't get your theology." The priest, after a moment's contemplation, replied simply, "I think we don't have ideology. We don't have theology. We dance." This exchange encapsulates the essence of Zen, a non-philosophy that defies definition and doctrine. Zenvacation, much like the practice itself, isn't about adhering to rigid beliefs or complex ideologies. It's about being. It's the space between breaths, the pause between thoughts, the moment when the mind stops chattering and the heart starts listening. At the Temple of the Jewel Dragon (玉龍寺), you're invited to dance to the rhythm of existence, free from the constraints of dogma.
On the temple grounds, nestled among vibrant maple trees, a small Shinto shrine houses Benzaiten (弁才天), a testament to the temple's openness to diverse beliefs. This serpentine deity, with roots that stretch across borders, illustrates the temple's embrace of all manners of thinking. It's a sanctuary for those seeking freedom from the world's incessant ideological chatter. Here, under the watchful eyes of jeweled dragons and autumn-hued maples, you're free to simply be. You can participate in temple chores, soak in nearby hot springs, or just exist in the sacred space. Zenvacation isn't about finding answers; it's about experiencing the question. It's the taste of Dragon rice, the sound of one hand clapping, the feel of wind on skin. It's everything and nothing, the fullness of emptiness, the dance of being alive.
| Available Beds | Per Person Price/Night | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Depending on package | Request details below |