PORT OF JAPAN

Home / Shimizu / Guided days

2 hr 30 minneeds a 5h call5.0★ · 14 reviewsFree cancellation 24h aheadPrivate

Private Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha and Calligraphy

A private two-and-a-half hour culture session: Seiken-ji temple, zazen meditation with a monk, matcha and calligraphy on a scroll you keep.

Check dates & prices →Why it is on this site ↓
Private Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha and CalligraphyZen meditation with a local monk – Shizuoka shore excursionMindfulness practice during zazen at a historic temple in ShizuokaHands-on matcha tea ceremony with seasonal sweets – Shimizu Port experience1 / 4

Zen meditation with a local monk – Shizuoka shore excursion from Shimizu PortPhoto: tour operator, via Viator

Duration
2 hr 30 min
From pickup or the meeting point and back
Your call needs
5+ hours
Incl. getting ashore and the hour before all-aboard
Price
From US$149 per person
Free cancellation 24h ahead · as of 26 Sep 2026
Group
Private · up to 10
Information counter just outside the ship's security gate
Why it is on this site
  • The guide meets you at the information counter outside the ship's security gate, and the whole thing fits in about three hours.
  • It includes a monk-led meditation (chairs available), premium matcha and sweets, temple admissions and a hanging scroll you write yourself.
  • Fourteen reviews, all five stars; the site's top-ten list includes it for Shimizu.
Best for

Passengers on a short call who want a quiet, hands-on taste of Zen culture.

Think twice if

Taxi fares are extra — the operator says about JPY 2,000 per vehicle each way, paid to the driver. No meal is included beyond the matcha and sweet.

What the operator lists

The day, stop by stop

  1. Seiken-ji Temple · 30 minVisit Seiken-ji Temple, a historic Zen Buddhist temple with over 1,000 years of history. The temple is famously associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, who studied here as a child.
  2. Zuiunin · 2 hrAt Zuiun-in Temple, you'll enjoy a peaceful introduction to Japanese Zen culture. Start with a zazen (seated meditation) session guided by a Zen monk. Focus on your breath and posture to experience a calm moment of mindfulness.
Included
  • Premium matcha green tea and high-quality seasonal Japanese sweets.
  • Private Zen meditation at a serene temple. Chairs are available for your comfort.
  • Create your own masterpiece on a traditional hanging scroll (Kakejiku) to take home.
  • All admission fees for the temple are included in the tour price.
Not included
  • Taxi fares (approx. 2,000 JPY per vehicle each way) are not included and should be paid directly to the driver. Your guide provides full navigation and escort.
  • Meals are not included other than the matcha tea and Japanese sweet provided during the experience.
  • Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, extra food or drinks)

Guide languages: English. Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Run by Authentic Cultural Experiences in Shimizu.

Where it takes you

What you will see

Our own guides to the stops — so you know what you are booking before you book it.

~3h private session

Zen, matcha & calligraphy

Ninety minutes of stillness in a temple, then whisked matcha and brushwork — the cultural depth of Kyoto without leaving your port.

Our guide to it →
Book it

Check dates and book

Booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). There is rarely a tour desk at the pier, so book before you sail.

Private Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha and Calligraphy5.0★ · 14 reviews · Private · up to 10From US$149 per personCheck dates →

We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we recommend — the “think twice” note above is there on purpose.

Quick answers

Before you book

Is the Private Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha and Calligraphy worth it from the Shimizu cruise port?

A private two-and-a-half hour culture session: Seiken-ji temple, zazen meditation with a monk, matcha and calligraphy on a scroll you keep. Best for: Passengers on a short call who want a quiet, hands-on taste of Zen culture.

How long a port call do I need for this tour?

About 5 hours. The tour runs 2 hr 30 min; add half an hour to get off the ship and keep the hour before all-aboard free. Starts at the security gate and returns you to the pier; about three hours, so allow a 5-hour call.

Can I cancel if my ship skips the port?

The operator's policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What should I know before booking?

Taxi fares are extra — the operator says about JPY 2,000 per vehicle each way, paid to the driver. No meal is included beyond the matcha and sweet.

From the same berth

Other guided days in Shimizu

All of them →
5.0★ · 19 reviews

Private Sightseeing Tour from Shimizu Port /Small Bus

A private small-bus loop from the Shimizu pier to Nihondaira, Kunozan Toshogu by ropeway, and the Miho pine grove.

Why it is here →5.0★ · 23 reviews

All-about Mt.Fuji Short Tour from Shimizu Port

A four-hour small-group outing from Shimizu port to Mt. Fuji viewpoints, with a class making Fuji-shaped wagashi sweets.

Why it is here →