A talk event that brings shrines and temples closer to you! Monk Cafe
A talk event to help you feel closer to shrines and temples!
Enjoy casual conversation over coffee, from simple questions to behind-the-scenes stories.
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Saturday, August 29, 2026
“Deities at a Temple: A 1,000-Year Bond”
Lecturer: Akitoshi Tsuji, Executive Director, Kofuku-ji Temple (Head Temple of the Hosso School)
Every year on January 2, monks from Kofuku-ji visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine and recite the Heart Sutra and the “Thirty Verses on Consciousness-Only” before the deities.
This is also the first day offerings are presented to the gods of Kasuga Taisha.
Many visitors may find it unusual to see Buddhist monks at a shrine; however, the idea of kami and buddhas supporting one another was widely accepted until Japan’s Meiji-era separation order was issued.
In this lecture, we will explore Shinbutsu-shugo (the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism), which still lives on in religious practice today, through real-life experiences.
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Fee: JPY 4,000 per person
*A portion of the participation fee will be donated to the lecturer’s organization for cultural property preservation.
Venue: 1F Together & Co.
For details, please visit our Hotel official website:
https://hiltongardeninn-kyoto.hiltonjapan.co.jp/plans/restaurants/event/together-and-co-2305
Reservation / Inquiries
Hotel (main): +81-75-320-5111 (Hours: 9:30–17:30)
Restaurant direct line: +81-75-320-5558 (Hours: 11:30–20:00)