Shojin Ryori Dinner in the Studio Garden
About this experience
Shojin ryori is the vegetarian cuisine of Zen Buddhism — no meat, no fish, no strong flavours, just seasonal vegetables prepared with patience. I cook it once a month, the way the monks at Nanzen-ji taught me: boiled kabocha with white miso, sesame tofu, pickled greens, rice with barley. We eat outside in the studio garden when the weather allows, inside by the kiln when it doesn't. There is no alcohol. There is tea. The conversation usually gets interesting around the second bowl.
Highlights
- Buddhist vegetarian cooking — the real Zen kitchen, not fusion
- Seasonal vegetables sourced at Nishiki Market the same morning
- Dinner in the studio garden or beside a 60-year-old wood-fired kiln
- Unhurried conversation with a ceramicist who sits zazen every week
What's included
- Full shojin ryori dinner — 5–6 courses
- Matcha and sweets to close
- Pickled vegetables to take home if there's any left
- Alcohol (there is none — this is a dry table)
- Transport to Higashiyama
Meeting point
Sannenzaka stone steps, Higashiyama — same entrance as the ceramics studio
Payment on the day
The insider's fee is paid directly on the day — bring the exact amount.
Meet Pierre
Pierre
Higashiyama
Speaks English, French, Japanese
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 48h before
Cancel at least 48 hours before the start time for a full refund of the MeetAnInsider intro fee. The insider's fee is paid on the day and is not charged until you meet.
3h
¥20,000 JPY/person from 2nd guest
min 1 · max 4
Price shown for 1 person · Up to 4 participants
Pay directly on the day
Charged when the insider confirms