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”
Read more Zazen Steps
1. Before sitting down for a zazen session do some light stretching to loosen up your body. After that, sit on the zazen cushion with your posture straight and your pelvis upright.
2. While sitting on the cushion, cross your legs with both feet placed on opposite thighs (1), or with one foot placed on the opposite thigh (2).
3. Place your left hand on top of your right hand in front of your lower abdomen, forming an oval between your thumbs and fingers. The position of the hand will change depending on how you cross your legs. Try not to worry about the exact position.
4. Relax and open your shoulders. When the hip joints are stretched, the psoas muscles are also stretched and the diaphragm is naturally lowered, making it easier to breathe. Breathe slowly through your nose and feel the breath flowing from the tip of your nose to your entire body.
5. Once you have adjusted your posture, sway your body back and forth, left and right, to find a position where your posture is comfortable. Then, gradually reduce the swaying and begin zazen.
6. During zazen, many thoughts come to mind. Do not dwell on them, nor try to eliminate them. Be aware of your thoughts, and return your attention to the present moment, to the sensations in your body and your breathing. Sit for as long as you like. You can start with even five minutes in the midst of your busy day.
7. When you finish, do not stand up abruptly. Stand up slowly by swaying your body back and forth as in 5.
Special thanks to: ZAF
Scenic Journey
Sit back and relax as you’re taken on a virtual journey through Japan, where a curated collection of footage—from rarely visited hidden-gem national parks to internationally celebrated festivals—brings the beauty and spirit of these remarkable places to life, inspiring your next travel destination.
For those unable to join us in person, two featured videos are available here, offering a glimpse into these landscapes from anywhere. Through ever-changing seasons, vibrant wildlife, and the people who call these places home, nature reveals a rich tapestry of culture, history, traditions, and cuisine—further enhanced by immersive, sensory-focused videos that highlight the calming sounds of the natural world. (We also provide ASMR videos here, for those who want to immerse themselves in sensory sounds.)
Ogasawara National Park
This experience captures the rich natural beauty and vibrant ecosystems of Ogasawara National Park—from crystal-clear waters to the soft, soothing sounds of wildlife. Let yourself unwind and be gently immersed in this elegant, tranquil escape into nature.
Yakushima National Park
Experience the serene soundscape of Yakushima’s ancient forests, crystal-clear streams, cascading waterfalls, and native wildlife. Let the timeless atmosphere of this lush island and the gentle flow of its waters guide you into a state of calm, elegance, and quiet relaxation.
Courtesy of Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
Aroma
At the Mindfulness Lounge, guests can enjoy various scents of natural aroma oils from Japan, such as the Yoshino Hinoki which originates from Nara Prefecture, and has been used frequently in temples since ancient times to calm the mind. The essential oils used are 100% pure natural essential oil blends produced by @aroma.
Ingredients used may include:
- Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) & Hinoki Leaf – Calms the mind, refreshing
- Cypress – Balancing, clarifying, centering, stress soother, clears the mind, anti-bacterial
- Cedarwood – Calms the mind, focus, centering, stress relief, restful sleep, clear the airways
- Pine – Purifying, centering, refreshing, stress soothing, calming, mind clearing, anti-bacterial
For those interested in learning about scent and fragrances in Japanese culture, read this article about Kōdō and the Secrets of Scent.
