The 3.11 earthquake and tsunami disaster and the ensuing radiation scare has taken a toll on all of our psyches. Perhaps we need to stop and make time for some meditation.

We here at Kamesei Ryokan would like to provide a relaxing stay at our onsen ryokan, where guests can enjoy our peaceful, traditional inn, the rejuvenating onsen baths, and our chef's tantalizing kaiseki-style dinner, followed by a trip to nearby Kaigen-ji Temple's zazen room for an early morning meditation session.

Kaigen-ji is a centuries-old temple with a modern all-wood zazen meditation hall in the forested hills above the Chikuma River here in the Nagano countryside. At 5am, the temple is silent and still, with only the sounds of birds chirping and the wind rustling in the nearby trees -- perfect for a quiet time of inner reflection.

Note:

Plan includes our chef's kaiseki-style dinner in the evening as well as full ryokan breakfast served back at our inn following the 5am zazen meditation. Our onsen baths are available 24 hours a day featuring 100% flow-through natural hot spring mineral water. Both the mens and womens baths have outdoor 'rotenburo' baths also.

Zazen meditation first-timers are welcome -- our proprietor will gladly explain the basics in English.

A amall donation for the temple would be appropriate