【KOMERU Project: Experience All of Onomichi's Charm】
Embark on a 2-day exclusive event to fully immerse yourself in the charm of Onomichi. This luxurious tour offers a glimpse of the exquisite vistas of the Seto Inland Sea and the rich traditional culture of the region. Explore recommended places to visit in Onomichi and indulge in activities along the Seto Inland Sea.
〈 Experience Highlights 〉
French Chevalier Chef's Gourmet Zen Cuisine and Zen Meditation
The highlight of this event is the sumptuous French Zen cuisine prepared by Chef Kamo, who has been honored with the French Agricultural Merit Order. You'll also have the opportunity to experience Zen meditation at Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens.
Art pavilion Kohtei at Shinshoji Zen Museum and Garden is a unique building known as one of its kind in the world, designed for meditation. Here, you can partake in meditation and Zen meditation guided by a German monk in the midst of profound darkness, the sound of water, waves, and subtle light – a truly sensory experience.
Chef Ken Kamo's Background
Chef Ken Kamo developed a passion for authentic French cuisine from a young age, inheriting the culinary artistry from his father, a French chef. After gaining experience in Tokyo's Ginza and various French restaurants, he embarked on a culinary journey to Europe. Following 21 years of international culinary experiences in Switzerland and Southeast Asia, Chef Kamo returned to Japan in 2021, bearing the title of Chevalier (Knight) awarded by the French Republic's Agricultural Merit Order in 2017.
The "French Agricultural Merit Order Chevalier" is a decoration bestowed by the French Minister of Agriculture and Food on individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion of French culinary culture.
Learn more about Chef Ken Kamo at Ryokan Onomichi Nishiyama
Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens
"Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens" provides an immersive experience to understand the essence of Zen through various activities. Enjoy a cup of tea, contemplate ink paintings, savor life-nourishing cuisine, cleanse your body and mind, stroll through the garden, and explore what Zen truly means.
The vast temple grounds feature a 17th-century building relocated from Shiga Prefecture, a restored tea room used by the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu, and a temple office designed by architect and architectural historian Terunobu Fujimori, incorporating abundant pine trees, symbolic of the entire Seto Inland Sea region.
This is a place where Zen and the Way of Tea extend their reach not only within Japan but also globally. It's a space for individuals to contemplate, cultivate, and harmonize themselves with others through the Rinzai Zen tradition, all while living in the present.
Experience a profound world of Zen that has been limited to only a few, and set your senses free. (Excerpted from szmg.jp）
〈 Culture Experience 〉
A Unique Zen Temple Experience Found Nowhere Else in the World - Accompanied by a French Agricultural Merit Order (Chevalier) Chef's Zen Cuisine
Photo : Nobutada OMOTE
- Meditation
An excellent method to discover inner peace and harmony away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. At Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens, you can meditate in profound darkness while feeling the sounds of waves, the flow of water, and the faint light. This profoundly sensory experience will relax both your mind and body.
- Zen Meditation (Zazen)
Through Zen meditation (zazen), your body and breath align, leading to a purification of the mind. In other words, it's about attaining a "mind of nothingness," which doesn't mean there is nothing, but rather, it's like water – adapting to any form, not being attached or biased. Zazen is the ideal practice for nurturing such a gentle heart.
- Vegetarian Zen Cuisine
Following the Zen experience, you'll be treated to a vegetarian Zen cuisine created by Chef Kamo, Chevalier of the French Agricultural Merit Order. This cuisine, influenced by his experience as a French chef, maximizes the flavors of Seto Inland Sea ingredients with various culinary innovations.
This French-inspired meal will leave you feeling refreshed the next morning, both in body and spirit, as you wake up to a clear and light-hearted day.
In the evening ambiance of Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens, enveloped in a serene atmosphere and the breathtakingly illuminated landscape, discover inner peace, harmony, and the joy of culinary happiness – savor such moments.
Zen Experience with a German Monk
In 1965, under the deep devotion of Master Ekishu Zenji, the founding monk, Kambara Hideo invited a Zen master to establish this exceptional temple of the Rinzai Zen sect.
The garden, centered around the Shoshintei Pond, is a "garden of awakening," a creation of gardeners Shiro Nakane and Yukihiro Nakane.
〈 Schedule 〉
●Group ① October 27th (Friday) 14:00 ~
14:00｜Gather at Onomichi U2, a 2-minute walk from Onomichi Station
14:30｜Bus ride to Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens
15:00｜Choose between meditation or zazen
15:10｜Selected program and garden stroll
17:00｜Dinner
19:30｜Bus ride to Fukuyama Station
20:10｜Disband at Onomichi Station by bus
●Group ② October 28th (Saturday) 14:00 ~
14:00｜Gather at Onomichi U2, a 2-minute walk from Onomichi Station
14:30｜Bus ride to Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens
15:00｜Choose between meditation or zazen
15:10｜Selected program and garden stroll
17:00｜Dinner
19:30｜Bus ride to Fukuyama Station
20:10｜Disband at Onomichi Station by bus
Meeting Point: ONOMICHI U2
Dining Location: Gankuin (Tea Room)
Main Hall & Dignified
Hall One of the highlights of this museum is its extensive collection of Zen paintings and calligraphy by Zen Master Hakuin, featuring around 200 pieces, making it one of Japan's most prominent Hakuin collections.
〈Price〉
¥60,000 (Including Tax)
〈 Options 〉
For those with extra time before or after the tour, enhance your Onomichi experience with optional activities available at an additional cost.
Please inquire when registering.
● Tea blending at Imagawa Chaho
● Shimanami Cycling (Bicycle Rental)
● Accommodation at Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi
● Shimanami Cruising (From Onomichi Station to Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens via cruiser, return transportation by bus only)
Cruising through the Shimanami Islands while feeling the breeze is a delightful experience. With well-maintained bike paths, it has become a sacred place for cyclists from all over the world.
Relax and enjoy the stunning island views at Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi.
〈 Retail Items (Scheduled)〉
- KOMERU Original Onomichi Rice Flour Ramen
- KOMERU Onomichi Incense
- KOMERU Onomichi Tea
- Rice Flour Pancake Mix and Onomichi Lemon Syrup
Please note that retail items are not included in the tour cost.
To Join the Tour, Please Visit the Following Pages:
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at KOMERU Gourmet & Culture.
We look forward to welcoming you with open hearts.