Iroha Nihon – Experience the Soul of Japan Press Conference and Temple TourProgram to experience traditional culture while staying at a private temple and to preserve cultural properties

The Nippon Foundation, in cooperation with the Kyoto Culture Association, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and five Kyoto temples, will offer a program to allow Japanese and non-Japanese visitors to experience Japanese culture by staying at a temple that is normally closed to the public. A press conference to introduce the project, Iroha Nihon – Experience the Soul of Japan, will be held on Tuesday, March 8, at the Kyoto National Museum.

The project aims to reacquaint people with the value of Japanese culture and foster an understanding of Japan and appreciation of cultural properties, through a variety of programs for guests who stay at temples that are normally closed to the public. A portion of the program fees will be used to preserve cultural properties, to help ensure that Japanese culture is preserved and passed on to future generations. The first program will focus on Zen Buddhism, an important element of Japanese culture, and will include zazen meditation, chanting of sutras, and a tea ceremony.

After the press conference to introduce the project, a tour will be given of the temple where the guests will stay.