Facing the thunderous port of Kobe, the island of Awaji, which is reached by crossing an arm of the inland sea of Japan via one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, has the appearance of an oasis: barely a -we reach dry land that the luxuriant vegetation populating the gentle slopes of its mountains envelops us.
A founding myth says that Awaji was home to the first kami – Shinto deities inhabiting the elements – who gave birth to the Archipelago.
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A return to basics that suits the Zenbo Seinei project, a temple of well-being of a new kind, nestled in a dense forest which is reached by a winding road, revealing the sea at each interlace.
Immersed in the canopy that it barely overlooks, the architecture on stilts, as light as it is imposing, seems to float among the peaks.
Made of sustainable wood, mostly Japanese, it is the setting for one-day spiritual retreats, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban, a lover of the renewable materials that make up its breathtaking structures.
Zenbo Seinei has taken up the characteristic simplicity of monastic stays: minimalist rooms and shared bathrooms.
SDP
Inspired by the shukubo, this temple accommodation initially designed to accommodate pilgrims, the Zenbo Seinei has taken up the characteristic simplicity of monastic stays – minimalist rooms and shared bathrooms – but also some of the activities offered to visitors, inspired by dedicated Buddhist practices. to soothe the mind: calligraphy, zazen meditation, but also a collective cleaning session.
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“
The idea was to offer spiritual retreats nourished by Zen philosophy in a unique and modern environment, without links to a place of worship
,” underlines Yukari Oohinata, the director of the place.
A bit disconcerting due to its stripped-down style, Zenbo Seinei is a place that can be experienced through the senses: the intoxicating scent of cypress, the warm tones of the omnipresent wood, the softness of the seats in the library area, and above all, this permanent tête-à-tête with the trees, on which large bays open in all directions.
Harmony of body and mind
According to one of the key principles of Zen Buddhism, harmony of body and mind is cultivated at Zenbo Seinei (here, on the pontoon opening onto the exterior of the building).
SDP
A few gong sounds suddenly sound.
A call to climb onto the pontoon open to the outside which covers the building, the backbone of the place.
Here, according to one of the key principles of Zen Buddhism, we cultivate harmony of the mind and body too.
Three sessions of yoga or meditation mixed with exercises to improve posture – one of the coaches, Naoko Matsumoto, is a former dancer trained in the Alexander method – are part of the experience, which is also enjoyed at the table.
You learn how to twirl your tea whisk when making matcha, and discover that Buddhist vegan cuisine is far from austere.
The chef pushes the traditional cuisine of the temple to its limits: here, no sugar, wheat or oil is used.
But the master, genius of fermentation, creates taste tables based on fermented tofu, fragrant miso, marinated vegetables, poached in broth or even smoked.
The delicate, harmoniously arranged bites create a universe of little-known flavors that can be explored with the tips of your chopsticks, in full awareness.
When you return from the large foot bath laid out like a stone garden, you will forget to set your alarm clock.
The rustle of the forest will be enough.
Zenbo Seinei
.
From €295 for 1 day/1 night, with meals and activities.
Our advice:
to combine with the tailor-made individual tour “Culinary Art in Japan” (Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe) from Maisons du Voyage.
From €4,280 for 14 days/11 nights (with flights, accommodation and visits).
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