Shakyo Sutra Copying Experience at Buddhist Monk Bar in Tokyo

The bar where your experience takes place is a secret hideaway for those in the know, housed in an old building on a backstreet near pop culture center "Nakano Broadway". The inside of the door is filled with mysterious yet soothing atmosphere. Regulars frequent this unique bar to talk about their lives, seek advice from the priest, or just to have a fun conversation.

Are you looking for a truly unique experience in Tokyo? Join us and experience the long-standing Buddhist practice of shakyo at a "monk bar" in Nakano, the center of pop culture. Shakyo is a practice of hand-copying Buddhist sutras. It has long been part of religious training for Buddhist monks to purify their minds and accumulate merit, but now it's gaining a new-found appreciation among non-Buddhists as a way of meditation. Shakyo is often practiced at Buddhist temples or other formal settings, but in this 2-hour session, you can experience it at an intimate bar with the friendly guidance of a businessman-turned-priest. And don't worry about not having experience in calligraphy as the priest will walk you through every step of the way. If you want a casual introduction to the deep and rich world of Buddhism, you should look no further than this. Put your heart into every stroke of the brush to find peace of mind!

I'm a Buddhist priest, and an owner of a monk bar. After studying philosophy at University of Paris, I went through a number of jobs, from a tourist agency employee to a politician's personal assistant. In the aftermath of a major earthquake and the economic bubble burst, I lost my job twice, then suffered bankruptcy and divorce, which made me leave the corporate world and pursue the Buddhist way. After serving as a priest at Zuikoji Temple, I opened a "monk bar" in Tokyo in 2004 to reach out to people seeking help and advice.

・All children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
・Please make sure to always communicate through wasabijp. In order to protect your payment, never transfer money or communicate outside of the wasabijp website.
・If you feel unwell or are under the influence of alcohol at the time of arrival, you will not be able to join our experience.
・Please make sure to arrive on time. If you arrive late, you may not be able to join us, as the end time cannot be extended to make up for late arrivals.