Mindfulness Lounge at the Japan House

Join us for an in person mindfulness event at the Japan House.

Location: JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Salon, Level 5

The “Mindfulness Lounge” program held in the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Level 5 Salon invites visitors to take a step away from your busy day and experience Japanese-style mindfulness. We welcome guests to relax on comfortable Japanese mats and cushions, enjoy projections of beautiful scenery, listen to healing music and natural sounds, and smell fragrant aroma.

Relaxation

As you enter the space, you will see the goza carpet on the floor. Take your shoes off and sit on the goza, or on one of the zafu (meditation cushions) to experience the Japanese way of relaxing, or sit at the table and chair for some reading.

About Goza: Goza is a traditional mat made from woven natural igusa rushes. It is similar to tatami, a traditional interior floor covering, but lighter and portable. While tatami and tatami mats are generally made from igusa, these mats we use are made with Japanese washi paper. Please enjoy the texture by sitting on the goza.

Meditation

Guests are welcome to try zazen, or Japanese style meditation on the goza mat in our Mindfulness Lounge.

How to Start Mindfulness Meditation – in Seated “Zazen” Style

“Mindfulness meditation can take many forms – one of the most traditional is seated “zazen” practice with its roots in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Beginners can start exploring zazen in just a few minutes with this step-by-step guide”

Scenic Journey

Sit back and relax as you’re taken on a virtual journey through Japan. From rarely visited hidden gem National Parks to internationally recognized festivals, we hope you find your next travel destination. One of the videos featured in the space is made available here for those who cannot join us physically, below.

National Parks of Japan

National Parks featured in the video include:

• Akan-Mashu National Park (Hokkaido prefecture)
• Towada-Hachimantai National Park (Aomori prefecture)
• Nikko National Park (Tochigi prefecture)
• Chubusangaku National Park (Nagano prefecture)
• Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (Kanagawa prefecture)
• Ise-Shima National Park (Mie prefecture)
• Daisen-Oki National Park (Tottori prefecture, Okayama prefecture, Shimane prefecture)
• Aso-Kuju National Park (Kumamoto prefecture, Oita prefecture)
• Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park (Kagoshima prefecture, Miyazaki prefecture)
• Keramashoto National Park (Okinawa prefecture)

This video was co-produced with Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

*To watch the video in full screen, please click on the image above, then click on the YouTube icon on the lower right-hand corner.

Aroma

At the Mindfulness Lounge, guests can enjoy various scents of natural aroma oils from Japan. The essential oils used are produced by Hida Sangyo (Kitsutsuki Forest Research Institute), and are 100% natural and additive-free.

Scents that may be used include:

• Japanese cypress branches and leaves
• Japanese white pine
• Hinoki Wood
• Sansho pepper
• Japanese cedar

For those interested about the Hida region, click here to read Spotlight on Traditional Crafts of Japan.