Discover the Peace of Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples | Sound Walk

What is a sound walk? Think of it as a walking meditation with a technological boost. Most of us move through Kyoto with our eyes on a map or a camera lens, which is fine, but it means we miss the actual character of the city. On a sound walk, we give our ears priority. I’ll hand you professional microphones. Suddenly, you’ll hear the hyper-detail of the world: the rhythmic crunch of gravel, the chime of a local shrine, or wind moving through a bamboo grove. We’ll explore Shōren-in and Chion-in. From the famous "Nightingale floor" to the deep ring of the temple bell at Shōren-in. You’ll leave with an audio postcard; a recording of the city to take home with you. Years from now, you can listen and be transported back to a quiet morning in Kyoto. It’s a walk for the curious, the creative, and anyone who wants to just "be" in the city. I have 2 full sets of microphones & recorders. Groups with more than 2 people will be sharing but this isn't an issue and can end up being very collaborative.

- We begin at Higashiyama Station (please check the location section for the Google Maps link) - After saying hello and a quick briefing on how to use the recording gear, we’ll move toward Shoren-in; a historical buddhist temple with a gorgeous bamboo grove. We'll walk around the temple capturing all the sounds that interest us. The wind in the bamboo, the bubbling pond or the temple bell of this special place that is untouched by the rush of tourism. - We’ll then take a slow stroll over to Chion-in where we'll often find the monks chanting and the famous "Nightingale floor" which sings when you walk on it. Fun to capture with the microphones!