Experience the quiet beauty and deep meaning of Kyoto’s sacred Zen temple gardens alongside a Japanese garden expert. This journey will forever change the way you see this timeless art form.
Kyoto, · Cultural tours
Listing highlights
What you’ll do
Nature and Zen, An Intro
Discover how landscape, stillness, and simplicity come together to express timeless spiritual ideals.
The Deep Symbolism
Dragons, buddhas, turtles, cranes, mountains, oceans, and islands all come alive in the garden before us.
The Path to Enligtenment
Bringing all the pieces together, you leave the monastery with a profound new way of seeing the garden—and perhaps life itself.
I have lived in Kyoto for 15 years and lead walks through its many gardens. As the only foreign graduate of the Kyoto Japanese Garden Training Program, I bring a distinctive take on these special places. My lifelong self-studies in Eastern philosophy add depth to my tours. Join me for an unforgettable journey.
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.
4.98, · 730 reviews
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, · April 2025
Andrew and his storytelling, sense of humor and zen like presence was refreshing and grounding. We learned a lot, has time for introspection and were able to appreciate many zen gardens
Robert
Nashville, TN
, · April 2025
A transformational experience.
I recommend everyone reading this lightly to really consider how one experience can open your life to a world of adventures.
Andrew is hyper knowledgeable, has great energy and is the best guide possible to get introduced both to Japanese gardens but also Zen philosphy/practice as a whole.
Rayan
Morocco
, · April 2025
Wonderful tour of zen gardens and temples. Very insightful and inspiring for adults and older kids/teens alike. Andrew is a very knowledgeable and a great story-teller. We will book with Andrew again next time we are in Japan. Thank you.
Ilana
Sunnyvale, CA
, · March 2025
Very cool walk through Zen gardens with Andrew. We gained super interesting insights into old and current Japanese culture. It was both very entertaining and enlightening.
Pablo
Uster, Switzerland
, · January 2025
A truly magical experience! Transcendent! It is a masterclass in beauty, harmony, nature, and philosophy. Andrew is a gifted storyteller and sage. He peels back layer after layer and digs deeply to the very heart of what calls us to these spaces. I cannot recommend this experience enough. Take this tour!
Christopher
New York, NY
, · December 2024
We had a wonderful time exploring the gardens of Kyoto with Andrew. He is a lucid storyteller and a talented guide, and gave life and vivid clarity to their history and living practice. Seeing these gardens with the benefit of his knowledge and passion has really been a highlight of our trip.
Lui
Things to know
Guest requirements
Guests ages 2 and up can attend.
Activity level
The activity level for this experience is light and the skill level is beginner.
What to bring
Each guest is required to bring ¥1, 600 ($11 USD) in cash for admission tickets
Cancel at least 1 day before the start time for a full refund.
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From $365 / group
From $365 per group
Free cancellation
Zen Garden, Zen Mind
4.98 · 730 reviews
From $365 / group
From $365 per group
Free cancellation
What you’ll do
Nature and Zen, An Intro
Discover how landscape, stillness, and simplicity come together to express timeless spiritual ideals.
The Deep Symbolism
Dragons, buddhas, turtles, cranes, mountains, oceans, and islands all come alive in the garden before us.
The Path to Enligtenment
Bringing all the pieces together, you leave the monastery with a profound new way of seeing the garden—and perhaps life itself.
Hosted in English
Where we’ll meet
Keage Station (Tozai Line)
605-0044, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
About me
Garden designer/ builder.
I have lived in Kyoto for 15 years and lead walks through its many gardens. As the only foreign graduate of the Kyoto Japanese Garden Training Program, I bring a distinctive take on these special places. My lifelong self-studies in Eastern philosophy add depth to my tours. Join me for an unforgettable journey.
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.
Zen Garden, Zen Mind
Experience the quiet beauty and deep meaning of Kyoto’s sacred Zen temple gardens alongside a Japanese garden expert. This journey will forever change the way you see this timeless art form.
Andrew and his storytelling, sense of humor and zen like presence was refreshing and grounding. We learned a lot, has time for introspection and were able to appreciate many zen gardens
Robert
Nashville, TN
, · April 2025
A transformational experience.
I recommend everyone reading this lightly to really consider how one experience can open your life to a world of adventures.
Andrew is hyper knowledgeable, has great energy and is the best guide possible to get introduced both to Japanese gardens but also Zen philosphy/practice as a whole.
Rayan
Morocco
, · April 2025
Wonderful tour of zen gardens and temples. Very insightful and inspiring for adults and older kids/teens alike. Andrew is a very knowledgeable and a great story-teller. We will book with Andrew again next time we are in Japan. Thank you.
Ilana
Sunnyvale, CA
, · March 2025
Very cool walk through Zen gardens with Andrew. We gained super interesting insights into old and current Japanese culture. It was both very entertaining and enlightening.
Pablo
Uster, Switzerland
, · January 2025
A truly magical experience! Transcendent! It is a masterclass in beauty, harmony, nature, and philosophy. Andrew is a gifted storyteller and sage. He peels back layer after layer and digs deeply to the very heart of what calls us to these spaces. I cannot recommend this experience enough. Take this tour!
Christopher
New York, NY
, · December 2024
We had a wonderful time exploring the gardens of Kyoto with Andrew. He is a lucid storyteller and a talented guide, and gave life and vivid clarity to their history and living practice. Seeing these gardens with the benefit of his knowledge and passion has really been a highlight of our trip.
Lui
Things to know
Guest requirements
Guests ages 2 and up can attend.
Activity level
The activity level for this experience is light and the skill level is beginner.
What to bring
Each guest is required to bring ¥1, 600 ($11 USD) in cash for admission tickets