Kumamoto Trip Overview
OUTLINE
Visit Reigando cave, where the strongest samurai Miyamoto Musashi spent his final years. Stroll around the cave with priests, then enjoy a soothing meditation experience in this symbolic cave. Afterward, you will get to look at and even touch the sword Miyamoto’s apprentice used back in ancient Japan.
HIGHLIGHTS
・Reigando Cave is where Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan’s most legendary swordsmen, spent the final years of his life.
・The head priest of a nearby temple will guide you to Reigando and lead you in a meditation session within the mystical cave.
・See up-close a real 300-year-old samurai sword used by a pupil of Musashi not available for viewing by the general public.
Additional Info
Duration: 1 hour
Starts: Kumamoto, Japan
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Nature & Wildlife
Explore Kumamoto Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
OUTLINE
Visit Reigando cave, where the strongest samurai Miyamoto Musashi spent his final years. Stroll around the cave with priests, then enjoy a soothing meditation experience in this symbolic cave. Afterward, you will get to look at and even touch the sword Miyamoto’s apprentice used back in ancient Japan.
HIGHLIGHTS
・Reigando Cave is where Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan’s most legendary swordsmen, spent the final years of his life.
・The head priest of a nearby temple will guide you to Reigando and lead you in a meditation session within the mystical cave.
・See up-close a real 300-year-old samurai sword used by a pupil of Musashi not available for viewing by the general public.
Itinerary
SCHEDULE
● Walk around Reigan Cave (20 minutes)
● Meditate with priests (20 minutes)
● Take a look at the sword used by Miyamoto Musashi’s apprentice (20 minutes)
【DETAILS】
Deep in the old mountains to the west of Kumamoto City lies the temple of Unganzenji. This temple was supposedly founded in the 14th century and acts as the entrance to Reigando. Hundreds of small stone statues of Buddha seated on the open rockface of the mountain watch over you as the head priests leads you to the cave.
The shallow cave is dominated by a large stone in its center, which is supposedly where Musashi spent time meditating and writing the Book of Five Rings, his masterpiece on martial arts, almost 400 years ago. Here, the priest will lead you in a meditation session surrounded by the mystical energy of the area. Participants will then be able to hold a real sword used by a pupil of Musashi.
Stop At:
• Unganzen-ji Temple, 589 Matsuomachi Hirayama Nishi-ku, Kumamoto 861-5282 Kumamoto Prefecture
• Reigando, 589 Matsuocho Hirayama, Kumamoto 861-5282 Kumamoto Prefecture
