A Journey Designed for You

[Experiential Stay] Stay at the Historic Matsuzakaya Honten and Clear Your Mind with Traditional Zazen and Suizen Meditation

Itinerary at a Glance

location_on Destinations	Hakone (2 Days)
account_balance_wallet Price	From ¥183,200 / 2 guests *The price shown is a sample rate based on two guests and includes private guided tours. Pricing Details
bucket_check Included	restaurantDining: Breakfast, Dinner cards_starExperiences: Zazen and suizen experience homeStay: Matsuzakaya Honten (recommended) *Itineraries can also be arranged without accommodation upon request. local_taxiTransport: Private car transfers and Shinkansen ticket arrangements are available for an extra fee. Please contact us for a quote. interpreter_modeGuide: English language support is provided during the experience only.
beenhere Itinerary	Day 1 – Zazen & Suizen Experience 2:00 PM Zazen and suizen experience at Tokoan (with Shakuhachi flute) → 3:40 PM Check-in at Matsuzakaya Honten → Onsen & relaxation → 7:30 PM Dinner (Shukuba Kaiseki at Restaurant En) Day 2 – Relaxation & Departure 8:00 AM Breakfast → Morning onsen & relaxing at the ryokan → 11:00 AM Checkout → Departure from Ashinoyu Itinerary Details

Why This Journey is Exclusive

Since ancient times, the Hakone pass has been considered the most arduous climb on the old Tokaido Road between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. Traditional ryokan inns were built to greet weary travelers with warm meals, soft beds, and the soothing waters of the local hot springs. In this exclusive Wabunka itinerary, you will stay at Matsuzakaya Honten, a historic ryokan established in 1662, and participate in a zazen and suizen meditation experience in the nearby Tokoan Hall of Kumano Shrine, accompanied by shakuhachi flute music played by a professional musician.

Journey Outline

This 2-day experience is fully customizable based on your interests and preferences. Please inquire for detailed pricing and options.

Day 1 − Ashinoyu & The Spirit of Zen

Step back into the Edo period at a historic ryokan founded in 1662, and clear your mind with a unique meditation experience accompanied by the haunting tones of the shakuhachi flute.

Afternoon ──Zazen and Suizen Meditation at Tokoan

Begin your journey at Tokoan, a historic thatched-roof building on the grounds of Kumano Shrine in Ashinoyu. In this serene setting, once a gathering place for Edo-period travelers, you will participate in a private meditation session. Practice zazen (seated meditation) followed by suizen (meditation through the sound of the shakuhachi flute), performed live by master musician Lenzan Kudo. Your spiritual experience concludes with a quiet cup of hojicha tea and traditional wagashi sweets.

Evening ──360 Years of Hospitality at Matsuzakaya Honten

Check in to Matsuzakaya Honten, a legendary inn that has welcomed poets and samurai for over three centuries. Relax in rooms that serve as a portal to Japan's bygone eras, and enjoy a refreshing soak in the rare gensen kakenagashi (continuously flowing) hot spring waters, famed for their mineral-rich benefits. For dinner, enjoy "Shukuba Kaiseki" at Restaurant En—a multi-course banquet inspired by Hakone’s history as a post town, featuring the finest seasonal ingredients.

restaurantDining	Dinner
cards_starExperiences	Zazen and suizen experience
homeStay	Matsuzakaya Honten
local_taxiTransport	Not included *Private car transfers and Shinkansen ticket arrangements are available for an extra fee. Please contact us for a quote.
interpreter_modeGuide	English language support is provided only during the experience

Day 2 − A Traveler’s Morning & Timeless Reflection

Savor the tranquility of Ashinoyu with a nourishing breakfast and a final soak before continuing your journey through Hakone.

Morning ──Hearty Traveler’s Breakfast

Wake up to a healthy "Traveler’s Breakfast," a tradition of replenishment spanning hundreds of years. Enjoy a balanced spread of grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and seasonal fruits designed to prepare you for the adventures ahead. Take a final stroll through the forested grounds or enjoy one last dip in the mineral-rich waters that have soothed weary travelers since the days of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Afternoon ──Departure from the Historic Highlands

After checkout (until 11:00 AM), depart from the peaceful highlands of Ashinoyu. Carry with you the mindfulness gained from your meditation and the warmth of Hakone's oldest traditions of hospitality. Reflect on the generations of travelers who found solace here as you make your way toward your next destination.

restaurantDining	Breakfast
cards_starExperiences	Not included *Additional experience available upon request
homeStay	Not included *Additional stay available upon request.
local_taxiTransport	Not included *Private car transfers and Shinkansen ticket arrangements are available for an extra fee. Please contact us for a quote.
interpreter_modeGuide	Not included