4 - 16 April 2025
Japan Reiki Tour with Arjava
"You will always remember this journey…
I will be your tour guide, your fellow traveler and friend on this journey, and I am sure that this will be an experience you will cherish greatly" (Arjava)
Reiki Journey to Japan, 4 - 16 April, 2025, with Frank Arjava Petter
Tour price Euro 3300
Dear Reiki Friend!
I am very happy that you are interested in joining me on this journey to Japan.
We will be visiting Kyoto, Kurama and perhaps, Taniai, Usui Sensei’s birth village, the main places of interest for Reiki- Lovers. Japan is a fascinating country and visiting these sacred places will deepen your understanding of Reiki. You will always remember this journey…
I will be your tour guide, your fellow traveller and friend on this journey, and I am sure that this will be an experience you will cherish greatly.
Before we set out on this journey I would like to give you some suggestions and tell you a few important things about what you can expect to experience in Japan. Please read the info below attentively, so we can avoid unnecessary suffering!
Entering Japan
Because of the massive tourist boom in Japan an new entry system was devised in 2024, similar to the ESTA entry to North America. Please visit the following website, and create an account there: https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001
Some of the questions to be answered about your address in Japan may not be clear to you, so please follow the guidelines below:
Postal code 6048804
Prefecture Required KYOTO FU
City Required KYOTO SHI NAKAGYO KU
Address Required 6-2 MIBUBOJOCHO
Hotel name, place of stay Required TOYOKO INN
TEL Required Your mobile number
You will then be given a barcode which you please either copy or photograph and keep on your laptop or mobile phone to show it at the immigration.
Kyoto
The city of Kyoto is the heart of Japan. To me it is one of the most exotic and impressive cities in the world, not only because Reiki was born there. Even though Kyoto has about 1,5 million inhabitants it is still relatively easy going and relaxed. It is easy to find your way around even if you don’t speak Japanese. There are many English street- signs. Every foreigner who visits Japan comes here, so the local people are used to seeing foreigners and do speak some English.
In Kyoto you can do a lot on foot. Whether you leave the hotel to your right, to your left, through the front or the back door, it is beautiful everywhere.
Kyoto houses about 1600 Buddhist temples as well as 400 Shinto Shrines. Most Buddhist Temples are open from 10- 5 PM and the Shinto Shrines are open day and night…
Occasionally you may spot one of the 300 Geisha/ Maico living in Kyoto. Please don’t stop them or photograph them. The penalty is 10.000 Yen.
Kurama
The main focus of our journey is Reiki. We will explore the original Reiki history at the Kurama Temple- and will hopefully be able to stay at the delightful Kurama Hotspring Resort. They closed during the Corona times, but I do hope that they will reopen. Even writing it now, my mouth begins to water…
Taniai
We will follow the footprints of Usui Sensei and walk our own path at the same time. Since Taniai is a sleepy village, and not prepared for the visit of twenty long nose foreigners, we will travel by bus with some of our Japanese Jikiden Reiki friends.
Taniai is about three hours away from Kyoto by car/bus. If the group decides that everyone wants to go to Taniai, we will hire a bus at the additional cost of Euro 100/ person.
Planet Japan
Planet Japan seems to be part of our solar system, but many things are done very differently here. For example you don’t shake hands and you don’t kiss in public. You take your shoes off when you enter a house or the inner sanctum of a temple and you don’t say “No” in a straightforward matter. Sometimes you may think that you are on the moon…
The Japanese are a friendly people. They smile a lot and are extremely polite
They will do anything for you- the guest and customer. Yet their smile may mean one of the following three:
1. Yes
2. I don’t know
3. No way!
Being a Foreigner
Fortunately foreigners are not expected to understand Japanese language and customs. In the land of the rising sun long- nose- foreigners have certain privileges.
Yet it is likely that you will experience some kind of culture- shock. The challenge of a culture- shock is that you are not aware of it when it happens to you. If something happens that you really don’t understand, or if someone reacts to you in a seemingly irrational and inconceivable way, be sure that it stems from a cultural difference. Please be sure to ask me about it when it happens. Don’t wait…
Language
In Kyoto it is relatively easy to get by with English. In other parts of the country traveling without speaking Japanese is difficult. Especially in Kyoto many Taxi drivers, hotel and restaurant personnel do speak some English, though Japanese English can be challenging. On our last trip we found for example a restaurant selling “grass wine” (glass of wine) and another place encouraged their customers with the mysterious
” drink and eat plenty of green horumomonos (hormones!)”
In Japanese no word can end in a consonant and no two consonants can follow each other. In case that they do, a vowel is put in between them. So Bob becomes Bobu and Frank becomes Furanku.
R and L are being exchanged freely. Raw fish (Sashimi) may turn into “law fish” and dry flowers become “dly frowers.”
Money
Japan is less expensive than it used to be. Especially for Europeans prices in Japan are acceptable due to the rise of the Euro. I suggest that you change your money at home and bring Japanese Yen to Japan. The exchange rates are better outside of the country.
If it is difficult to obtain Yen in your country, you can change US Dollars, or Euro upon arrival at the international airport in Osaka. Nowadays many convenient stores and exchange bureaus also offer their services.
For Europeans, it is possible to get cash with an EC card (Maestro) at every post office, until 9 PM and at Seven-Eleven convenient Stores around the clock. Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere (Visa, Master Card and American Express), but cash is hard to come by. Sometimes credit cards that are issued abroad are not accepted in Japan. This is against international law but it does happen- what to do…?
Traveler cheques are not a good choice. Japan is the safest country in the world; there is no problem in carrying even large amounts of cash as long as you don’t mess around with the Yakuza (gangsters) or foreign thieves!
Accommodation
My favourite hotel in Kurama closed during the Corona Days but I hope that they will open again. If so, we will stay at the delightful traditional Kurama Onsen Resort Hotel, ten minutes stroll from the Kurama Temple. If the hotel remains closed we will stay at another hotel in Kyoto.
Kurama Onsen Resort
520 Honmachi Kurama
Sakyo- Ku
Kyoto 601- 11
Japan
+81- (0)75- 741-2131
+81- (0)75- 741- 2375
The Kurama Hot Spring Resort is a traditional resort hotel. They have only five rooms available, so there will be four of us in each room. Each room has one restroom and one sink, and one usually washes in the communal shower, which is separated: one for the men, one for the women.
They usually put all the men in one room (stinky, but fun!). Providing that we will travel with 20 people, we will have the hotel to ourselves.
Included in this hotel accommodation is Japanese breakfast and dinner. They do not do vegetarian food, but those who don’t eat meat can tell me and we do what we can. If you don’t eat fish either… go on a twenty- one day fast…
Soaking in a Japanese hot spring is something you will always remember
The ambient scenery, breathtaking nature and the silence of the mountains will enchant you… But please note that you are not permitted to wear a bathing suit when soaking in a Japanese hot spring. The baths and changing rooms are separated.
Caution: Japanese doors are low. Those of you who are tall please watch your head, you may still need it.
The Hotel in Kyoto where we stay is the Toyoko Inn Shijo Omiya. It is in walking distance from the Jikiden Reiki Institute. There are three Toyoko Inns in Tokyo, please make a note of the address.
Toyoko Inn Shijo-Omiya.
The phone number is:+81- (0)75-803-1045
The website (in English) is
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00027/index.html
At the Toyoko Inn we are accommodated in Single rooms.
In case you are traveling with a partner, please let me know. In that case we will book two rooms for you, one for your luggage and one for you to rest in (rooms are small!). Double rooms are not really bigger than singles, there is just less space!!!
Climate
The weather will be lovely: with highs of 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) during the day and lows of 12 degrees Celsius (53 Fahrenheit) at night.. Just in case, do bring a raincoat and an extra pair of shoes.
Food
In case you are allergic to certain foods or you eat a strict diet, please bring your own food. Vegetarian food is hard to come by. For a strict vegetarian life is hard in Japan and I suggest you find another travel destination or stay in a Buddhist temple. Of course you will be able to find a Pizza and some pasta with seaweed at one of the many Japanese- Italian restaurants. There are many Indian restaurants as well besides the usual fast food joints.
Mainly the Japanese eat
¼ Rice in all Variations (Gohan)
¼ Noodle Soup made of wheat flour (Ramen, Udon)
¼ Noodle Soup made of a wheat flour/ buckwheat flour mixture -(Soba)
…All variations of grilled, boiled and fried fish
¼ Raw Fish on rice (Sushi)
¼ Raw Fish (Sashimi)
¼ Tempura (deep fried vegetables/fish)
… Bean curd in all variations (Tofu)
¼ Pickled Vegetables (Tsukemono)
… Fermented bean paste soup (Miso Soup)
Those who share the same addiction with me will find good coffee everywhere, even Starbucks coffee shops. And while we speak of addiction, you may want to have a glass of sake (rice wine) with me as well. But watch out, it is drunk out of ever- filled tiny cups, you may forget yourself…
Earthquakes
Japan is rocked by earthquakes daily, but not to worry, most of them are not strong enough to feel. In the last six years of journeys to Japan, we have not experienced a single tangible earthquake. If it should happen, though, please remember the second Reiki principle: don’t worry!
The escape routes are clearly sign posted at the hotels and there will be announcements over the loudspeaker system. I will tell you a silly joke and life will go on as usual… However, if the shit hits the fan, open the door to your room, the window and protect yourself under the table.
Guest presents
Bring something small from your country for your hosts (for Tadao Yamaguchi, his staff and the Kurama resort workers).
Telephone
The best way to call home is either the ET method or else international phone cards that can be obtained from the local convenience stores. They come in value of 1000 Yen (6 Euro), 3000 Yen (18 Euro) and 5000 Yen (30 Euro). It may be best to call just to say hello to your loved ones and then to have them call you back. If you bring your own laptop, you will be able to connect to the internet at the Kyoto hotel. In that case you will be able to Skype/Whatsup home without extra roaming charges. However, the wireless connection can be thin with a tablet. At the Kurama Hot Spring resort there is internet connection in the rooms.
Mobile Communication
Attention, in Japan only mobile phones with UMTS function work. If you need a mobile phone while in Japan you can rent one at the Tokyo airport for about 8 Euro per day.
Shopping
Japanese shops offer almost everything that your heart desires. Sometimes large clothes can be a problem. Shirt- arms may be too short, shoes too small. Kyoto is filled with souvenir shops selling everything from trinkets to Buddha statues.
Kyoto is famous for green tea, ceramics, incense, lacquer ware, Kimonos and pickles. Leave some space in your suitcase, or just buy a new one in Kyoto! I will take you shopping for electronics if you like, too.
Electricity
100-110 Volts. Bring an adapter or two (available at your local airport).
In your suit case
A valid passport ( at least 6 months) and visa if necessary from your country.
Hiking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunglasses, a pen- light (useful in case of an earthquake with power outage). A good book or two, your camera. Digital memory cards/pen-drives are available everywhere. Taking pictures is ok in most places, except for the altars of Buddhist temples. Large “No Photo- Signs” are displayed in those areas.
Finger Gymnastics
In case you are not comfortable eating with chopsticks, or you are afraid that you may starve to death, bring your favorite spoon and fork along in your luggage.
In case you have Japanese friends or co- workers in Japan whom you will see, bring them a typical present from abroad (a bottle of tequila from Mexico, a potato from Germany…)
Japanese people love brand- names. A Gucci bag or a Rolex watch opens all doors…(just kidding).
If there is something without which you cannot live (marmite or chewing tobacco), bring it along. You may not be able to find it in Japan.
Medication
In case you depend on certain medication, please bring it along from home!!! But be sure that it is not white powder… Just in case bring a copy of your doctor’s prescription along.
Travel Insurance/ Travel health insurance
We suggest that you get both from an insurance company of your choice back home.
Oddities
Maybe kids and even adults may point their fingers at you and say “Gaijin”(foreigner). Or they will call you “Americajin” (American), because all foreigners are Americans. Please don’t take that personally.
You may see Japanese girls dressed like little red riding hood or the seven dwarfs. You may find yourself surrounded by young ladies with sun- tanned faces, white lipstick, wearing pink mini- skirts and platinum blonde dyed hair. Most of the time they are not prostitutes but high school girls.
At night the politeness of some Japanese vanishes. One can do whatever when one is drunk, so, take care, or take advantage of it!
Keep away from
1-Yakusa Gangsters.
They are easy to spot by the way they cut and perm their hair as well as by the way they dress. But don’t worry, they usually don’t mess with foreigners, because both gangsters and foreigners are outside of Japanese society…
2- Drugs.
Stay away from drugs. Japanese authorities react severely when they find them on you.
3- Discussions with officials.
At Customs and Immigration do as you are told. When in doubt get my attention, and I will bail you out with politeness.
Preparation
Get a Japanese phrase book in your local bookstore or through the Internet (Amazon.com). A Kyoto- guidebook is also helpful.
I am looking forward to traveling with you, with Love, Gratitude and Gassho!
Your friend, Frank Arjava Petter".
Reiki Journey to Japan, 4 - 16 April, 2025
ITINERARY
We will spend thirteen days in Japan, but you will see that Kyoto alone needs years to explore.
Our main focus will be on Reiki, but we will also have some time to see temples and shrines as well as going on one or the other shopping spree. The Japan Tours are for those who would like to take part in all activities.
In Japan, as part of your visit, Tadao Sensei and me team teach Jikiden Reiki, so everyone will have both of us there at the same time, what a luxury!!!
The arrival day will be quite hard, but I encourage you not to sleep too early or at inappropriate times to get used to the new time zone. Change the time of your watch/mobile as soon as you leave home and never think about what time it will be elsewhere. Take it from me, I travel frequently and this way you will avoid most of the jetlag.
Day Zero
Departure in your country
Day 1, 2025
Arrival at Kansai Kuko (Osaka International Airport). Most international flights arrive in Osaka in the morning. I will be in Japan a few days beforehand, and will let you know my mobile number, in case of emergency.
Taxi to the Kurama Hotspring Resort. We will organize it for you, please let us know your flight details about two months before departure, or better, as soon as you booked your flights. If you arrive at Itami Airport- the national airport- please let me know.
Check in at the Kurama Hotspring Resort
Discover Kurama and the Kurama Temple
6- 7 PM Common dinner
Day 2, 2025
Common Breakfast
10 AM Kurama Temple
2-5 PM Tour of the Main Hall etc.
6 PM Common Dinner
Day 3, March, 2025
10 AM Common Breakfast
Optional: Exploring Mount Kurama and the delightful Kibune village below Kurama with Arjava or- if you like, go by yourself.
6PM Common Dinner
Day 4, March, 2025
8 AM common breakfast
09:30 AM Taxi to Kyoto
Preliminary Check in at Toyoko Inn, Shijyo Omiya
11 AM- 6:30 PM Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Day 5, 2025
10 AM- 6 PM Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Day 6, 2025
10 AM- 6 PM Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Day 7, 2024
10 AM- 6 PM Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Day 8, 2024
10 AM- 6 PM Sightseeing in Kyoto with Arjava
For those applying to become Jikiden Reiki Shihan Kaku
10am - 6pm Jikiden Reiki Shihan Kaku
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Additional cost for Shihan Kaku: Euro 1050,-
Additional cost for Repeaters: Euro 75
Day 9, 2025
10 AM- 6PM Sightseeing in Kyoto with Arjava
For those applying to become Jikiden Reiki Shihan
10 AM- 6 PM Jikiden Reiki Shihan
With Tadao Yamaguchi at the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai
(Institute) Kyoto
Additional cost for Shihan: Euro 700,- and Gokai no Sho scroll Yen 300.000.
Additional cost for repeaters: Euro 150,-
Day 10, 2025
9 AM - 7 PM
Visit to Taniai, Usui Sensei’s birth village by bus. If we don’t go to Taniai, we will explore more of Kyoto.
Day 11 2025
Zen Day
Zazen meditation at a Zen Temple
PM Shopping
Day 12, 2025
Free day
Or additional Sight Seeing in Kyoto
Or nearby cities- we’ll decide in the moment.
Day 13, 2025
Breakfast
Taxi to Osaka International Airport (Kansai Kuko)
Departure from Osaka Airport.
Depending on weather conditions we will visit
1-Kiyomizu Temple. A wonderful Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, the Buddha of love and compassion.
2-Yasaka Jinja
A Shinto Shrine set in a beautiful park (Maruyama Koen), close to one of the local Starbucks cafes.
3-Ginkaku- Ji- the silver Pavillion, a superlative example of the Rinzai- Zen- School.
4- Toji Temple – the largest pagoda in Japan.
5-Kinkaku- Ji, the golden Pavillion. The former weekend- house of a Japanese ruler surrounded by an incredible park. The pavilion is painted with 5 microns of 24 carat gold leaf.
6-Ryoanji- one of the most beautiful stone gardens of Japan in the tradition of the Rinzai- Zen School: the perfect Place for a Satori. Just don’t get too enlightened.
7-Sanjusangendo- the world renowned hall housing 1001 life size Senju Kanoon statues.
8-Arashiyama district: A very beautiful neighborhood at the other end of the local train station. Good for a day trip from Kyoto.
9-Koryu Ji- a Buddhist temple housing the incredible statue of Maitreya or Miroku Bosatsu, the future Buddha.
10-Tetsugaku no Michi- the Philosophers way.
11- Gion District. The night- life of Kyoto takes place mostly in the Gion- district, located twenty minutes on foot from the Toyoko Inn. This is an exotic mixture of restaurants, bars, and the red- light district.
12- Teramachi Dori: A lovely shopping arcade. You will find kimonos, incense and very cool clothes here.
If you have any special requests for places to visit, please let me know and we’ll organize that.
THE END, MY FRIEND
Reiki Journey to Japan, 4 - 16 April 2025, with Frank Arjava Petter
Price Euro 3300
Included in the tour are:
* Transfer from and to Osaka Airport by jumbo taxi ( 1.5 hours)
*Three nights at the traditional Kurama Hot- Spring Resort, on Mount Kurama. Breakfast and Dinner are included here. We will stay with four/five people in one room. They don’t have individual rooms.
*Guided tours of Mount Kurama.
* Shoden and Okuden workshop with Tadao Yamaguchi and Arjava
Four days of sightseeing in Kyoto, visiting temples and shrines. All entrance fees are included.
A Zazen meditation experience at a real Zen Temple.
*Ten nights at the Hotel Toyoko Inn in Kyoto. Single room accommodation. Simple breakfast included.
*Day trip to Taniai by hired bus.( at an additional Euro 100,-)
Additional costs
** Except for the three days at Kurama Hot-Spring resort food is not included in the price.
** IMPORTANT: Taxi and subway rides on the sightseeing days in Kyoto are not included.
To be on the safe side calculate about Euro 50/ day to cover those expenses. Calculating in this way you will have enough money left for souvenirs- and for buying an extra suitcase!
*** For repeaters, those who have taken Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden with a Jikiden Reiki teacher elsewhere previously, the total tour price is Euro 2750,-
OPTIONAL
At the Kurama Temple it is possible to leave some of your hair in an urn that will be placed in the crypt underneath the main hall. The abbess of the temple prays every day for those who left their hair there to be connected to Love, Light and Power and the three deities that represent these qualities, Senju Kannon, Bishamonten and Goomaoson. The price for this is about 170 Euro, for life…
**** Japan is not a good place for strict vegetarians, since Japanese fish have the habit of slipping into almost all the food available. If your diet is strict please either bring your own food or find another travel destination!!!
Very much looking forward to exploring Japan with you, your friend,
Arjava.
Please scan/ fill out the form below and email it to me (Arjava)
Frank Arjava Petter,
Post Office Eressos, 81105 Eressos, Greece,
Phone : +30- 22530 53 741
Email: FrankArjavaPetter@gmail.com
Tour Application Form
Name, First name
Address
Address
City Phone:
Email: Date_____________
Contact in your country for emergencies
Name:
Relation:
Address:
Phone number:
Email Address:
The deposit for registration is Euro 1000,- on a first come first serve basis.
We will travel with 20 participants. As participation is limited, please act swiftly, the tours do fill up rather quickly.
The remaining balance is due on November, 2024.
In case of cancellation before December 1, 2024, 300.- Euro are kept for administrative purposes.
In case of cancellation after December 15, 2024, 900.- Euro are retained.
In case of cancellation 30 days before departure no refund is given.
Bank details for transfers from Germany:
Account holder: Frank Petter
Branch Number 300
Königsallee 45/47
40189 Düsseldorf
BLZ: 300 700 24
IBAN: DE72 3007 0024 0300 4355 00
SWIFT CODE: DEUTDEDBDUE
Bank details for transfers from abroad:
Account holder: Frank Petter
Branch Number 300
Königsallee 45/47
40189 Düsseldorf
BLZ: 300 700 24
IBAN: DE72 3007 0024 0300 4355 00
SWIFT CODE: DEUTDEDBDUE
Account Number: 300 4355
I have read the whole info email and I agree to the aforementioned conditions:
Date and place:
Name in Print:
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