I recently went on a waterfalls meditation/ sound healing retreat for my birthday. It was a very interesting experience for me because it’s my first time doing waterfalls medication and second time doing sound healing meditation.
I saw a reel from Yamatrips Japan about waterfalls meditation at Seizan-so right about the time I was looking for an alternate trip for my Nepal Yoga Retreat that got canceled. I am on a hunt for retreat places lately and I thought it was perfect for what I needed on my birthday. A place and time to do some reflection and meditate. To think about my purpose in life and go on a self-discovery retreat.
I arrived at Seizan-so around 3pm, I planned to arrive earlier so I can explore a little bit but the train was late so I missed my train transfer and when I got to Mitake Station, the bus that goes to the cable car station just left. It only comes once or twice an hour so I had to wait more than half an hour for the next one.
Transportation:
- Yokosuka-chuo to Mitake Station (By train)
- Walk from Mitake Station to the bus station (1min) – You will see a red sign on your left side after you get off Mitake Station.
- Mitake Bus station to Cable Car Shita (10 min by bus)
- Walk uphill to the Takimoto Station (3min)
- Takimoto Station to Mitakesan Station (6min by cable car)
Aug 24, 2024- Seizan-so is a Temple Lodging/Shukubo/ where you can stay and experience waterfalls meditation/滝行/たきぎょう and sound healing while meditating/瞑想/めいそう. I chose the all inclusive plan with 2 meals for ¥15,000/night. You can also request for vegetarian meal or have a no-meal plan for people who are fasting.
Check-in time is at 14:00 and check out is 11:00 next day. You can pay by cash or paypay. Hashimoto-san and his family are running the lodge and they are so nice!
Hashimoto san is a Shinshoku /神職 /しんしょく – a priest in the Shintō religion of Japan. The main function of the shinshoku is to officiate at all shrine ceremonies on behalf of and at the request of worshippers.
He said that nowadays, some people call him a kannushi/神主 (“divine master (of ceremonies)”, originally pronounced kamunushi) , which traditionally referred only to a head priest who, through the observance of purificatory practices, had become qualified to serve as a medium for a deity. But he said the correct term should be Shinshoku-san or Onshi-san.
Day 1
15:00 – I was told I can come earlier than 15:00 to check-in but I got there late. I arrived at 15:00 and quickly put my bag in my room. There was a group of 7 people staying with me at the same time, they had one cancelation that’s why I was able to get in last minute.
15:15 – After checking in, Hashimoto-san explained what we are going to do that day. We were provided with a plastic bag that contain our white robe. It includes an inner robe+white belt, outer robe+belt and white headband. He explained that the women’s robe is opaque so we do not need to wear underwear. It was a little bit weird at first but it was up to my knees so I got used to it after a while. Personally, I think the men’s outfit is more revealing. I kinda wish they would separate the male and female in two groups.
We were told to bring our own towel and water to drink. Some people forgot so please don’t forget to bring one, otherwise you’ll hike back wet. Then, we headed to Ayahiro falls / 綾広の滝 / あやひろのたき for our first waterfalls meditation. The hike was not that bad, about 30 min or so. But I would wear a comfortable hiking shoes because you can either go to Ayahiro falls or Nanayo falls and the Nanayo falls route is a little bit more difficult than the other.
The first 5min going to the Mitake Shrine was the hardest part for me because it was concrete pavement and stairs. We went to the shrine from the back and not the shotengai part. We bowed to the shrine when we passed it as a way of giving respect.
16:00 – We got to Ayahiro falls and saw a snake eating a frog. It’s my first time seeing a snake while hiking so I was a little shocked. But I was able to pass the snake because it was still busy with it’s snack. Nobody was sure what it was but when I googled, it looks like it was a Yamakagashi, and it’s poisonous. So just be careful and be attentive.
There was a small hut nearby and we changed to our white robes inside. The other ladies was super nice and they explained to me how to wear it. You have to wrap the right side first and then the LEFT SIDE of the robe is going to be ON TOP. Do not wear it the other way because that is how Japanese traditionally dress the dead.
We stood in circle and did some arm movements while chanting to pay our respect. After that we entered the water one by one. You say “Ey!” then go in the waterfalls and chanted “Hara edo no ookami” while inside the waterfalls. He will say “Ey” when finished and you say “Ey” back and get out. We did this 3 times each, for about 10 seconds each time and I felt like the 2nd one is longer than the first. He told me to go last so I can watch everyone do it first and I just had to copy what they were doing.
The water was cold but not that bad. After the waterfall meditation, we went back to the hut to change and started walking back to the lodge. We bowed when we passed by the Shrine again.
17:15 – We got back to the lodge and we were told to take a bath before dinner. The hot bath was amazing after the hike. There was no fan where you change clothes outside the bathroom so I brought my mini fan. I always sweat hard after a hot bath so I prefer to have a fan after getting out of the bath. We all changed into our yukata.
18:30 – We started eating and since it was my birthday, the group decided to sing me a birthday song which was so touching. They didn’t even know me and yet they said they feel lucky to spend my birthday with me. Apparently it’s good luck!
19:30 – I changed into a more comfortable clothing since we are going to be sitting and laying down while meditating. I think it was about 45minutes of meditation with sound healing using the crystal bowls.
After meditating, I felt so relaxed. I went to bed with a calm heart and a clear mind. This is when I knew, that crystal bowl sound therapy does work wonders. Now I sleep better when I play it on youtube in the background at night. I wish I can go to a weekly yoga session with sound healing because it’s really amazing.
Honestly, it was so weird for me because I felt really close to heaven while staying here. Well, I was literally closer because I was in the mountains but spiritually, I feel closer. I know it contradicts my belief as a Christian where we believe that God is always with you no matter where you are. But I really felt at peace here.
Just to clarify, I did not worship the trees, the waterfalls and other stuff here, I just paid respect.
Day 2
6:00 – We left the lodge to hike and go to the waterfalls for another waterfalls meditation. We did the same thing all over again, only this time, the water force was stronger than the previous day. I definitely felt more power from it. On our way back, Hashimoto-san did a reading for some of us and I was really amazed by what he said… he gave me an answer to my question that was the reason why I went there in the first place. I got goosebumps when he said it.
7:45 – We got back from the hike and took a bath before breakfast.
8:00 – Breakfast
9:30 – Meditation with crystal bowl (second time)
10:30 – We started to get ready for check-out. I said goodbye to the lovely people who adopted me to their group. They definitely made my stay memorable and I would love to see them again.
I’m really glad I chose to celebrate this way on my birthday instead of the usual party and drinking. My lifestyle for the past weeks definitely changed a lot compared to how it was before. Am I finally growing up? Maybe 🙂 But one thing I know for sure, life is really good.. and even on days that it suck, it’s still good. So if you are feeling stuck like me, please know that you are not alone in feeling that way. I guess we just have to wait it out and things will definitely get better.
Thanks for reading!
#MarieJournals