The experience
The Kujokan is one of five tea houses in the garden behind the main building of the Tokyo National Museum. It was built for the Kujo family and is not normally open to visitors.
Yuki Shiina teaches Zen kokyu, a way of breathing and sitting based on the teachings of the Zen master Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769). She has written six books on it and teaches trainee monks at Engakuji in Kamakura. She asks a few questions first and adapts the session to you. Low stools are there if sitting on the floor is hard.
Afterwards there is tea and Japanese sweets, looking out on the garden. Each guest takes home a Zen Egg made of hinoki cypress. Museum admission is included, so you can stay on for the collection.
On the day
-
Meeting
In front of the Tokyo National Museum, then into the garden.
-
The tea house
Into the Kujokan, and a short talk about how you feel.
-
Breathing
Breathing and posture, with the teacher adjusting as you go.
-
Tea
Tea and Japanese sweets, looking out on the garden.
-
The museum
Admission is included, for after the session.
Guide price
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per person, from | ¥34,000 |
- Includes the experience, tea and sweets, museum admission, facility charges, the interpreter and tax.
- There is a minimum of two guests. A booking for one pays the two-guest minimum.
- This is the lowest per-person rate. The final price depends on the number of guests and the date.
Good to know
- Booking deadline
- At least 7 days before.
- Cancellation
- No refund once booked, and the date cannot be changed.
- Language
- The host speaks English.
- What to wear
- Shoes come off. Wear socks, loose clothes and trousers that cover the knee. Please avoid very casual clothes.
- Before you come
- Bring your own drinking water. Please do not drink alcohol before or after the session.
- Arriving late
- Arriving more than 15 minutes late cancels the experience.
What STAYGO does
- We arrange the session through Wabunka, the booking site the host uses, and keep in touch with them about your date.
- We arrange it only once your Tokyo dates are settled, because it cannot be cancelled.
- We place it on a Ueno day, with time for the museum afterwards.
This experience is paid in advance by credit card, in yen, through Wabunka, at the price they show. STAYGO adds nothing to it.
Arranged only as part of a STAYGO journey.
Details checked on the host's published page on 13 October 2026. Hosts set their own prices and terms and may change them. We confirm them again when we arrange your date, and nothing is confirmed until the host accepts it.
You pay hotels, ryokan, restaurants and guides directly, at their own rates. We add no markups and take no commissions. The Signature planning fee is USD 3,500 for your group, for a journey of 7–14 days. Longer or more complex journeys are planned as Bespoke.
