Zen Buddhist Priest & Sound Artist
Yogetsu Akasaka
Bridging ancient Buddhist traditions with modern soundscapes.
Live-looping, beatbox, handpan, and meditative chanting.
Podcast
The Yogetsu Story
Yogetsu Akasaka
Born in Tokyo, Yogetsu Akasaka is a beatboxer, handpan player, live-looping artist, and Zen Buddhist priest whose work bridges ancient traditions and modern soundscapes.
Combining ethereal handpan melodies, rhythmic beatboxing, and Buddhist mantras, Yogetsu creates transformative, improvised live-looping music that embodies the Zen philosophy of treasuring each moment as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. His performances guide audiences on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace.
Transformative Journey
Ikigai Zen
Global Recognition
During the pandemic, Yogetsu gained international recognition when his Heart Sutra Beatbox Remix went viral on YouTube, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. This success propelled his global career, leading to performances at internationally renowned festivals including Wonderfruit (Thailand), Shambala (UK), Colors of Ostrava (Czech Republic), and SXSW (USA). In 2023 and 2024, he performed as an official SXSW artist, including a memorable appearance at NASA's keynote speech, guiding the audience on an inner space journey.
Workshops & Wellness
Yogetsu shares his unique fusion of music and mindfulness at global wellness conferences, offering live sessions and workshops including Voice Meditation and Active Meditation. Each workshop integrates breathwork with transformative, improvised music created spontaneously in the present moment—inviting participants to reconnect with themselves and experience the profound therapeutic power of the human voice and movement, inspired by the Zen practice of mindful presence.
Experience
Heart Sutra
Inner Journey
Monk 3.0
Prayers
Offerings
Voice Meditation
Experience the profound therapeutic power of the human voice. Through guided breathwork and vocal exploration, reconnect with yourself and discover inner stillness in the present moment.
Active Meditation
A dynamic practice combining movement and mindful presence. Inspired by Zen traditions, this offering invites you to tune into the here and now through the body and breath.
Sound-Mandala Performance
Witness the creation of live, improvised soundscapes. Using loop station, beatbox, handpan, and Buddhist chanting, each performance is a unique journey into meditative sound.
How It Works
From first contact to a transformative experience—here's how we create something meaningful together.
Share Your Vision
Tell me about your event, retreat, or personal journey. Whether you are seeking a festival performance, corporate wellness session, or private meditation experience, I am here to listen.
Tailored Experience
Based on your needs, I will design a custom experience. From intimate voice meditation sessions to large-scale Sound-Mandala performances, each offering is crafted for your unique context.
Seamless Coordination
Once we align on the vision, I handle all the creative preparation. You will receive clear guidance on setup, timing, and how to prepare your audience for the experience.
Journey Together
The moment arrives. Whether in person or virtual, we embark on a transformative journey bridging ancient wisdom and modern soundscapes. The present moment awaits.
Share Your Vision
Tell me about your event, retreat, or personal journey. Whether you are seeking a festival performance, corporate wellness session, or private meditation experience, I am here to listen.
Tailored Experience
Based on your needs, I will design a custom experience. From intimate voice meditation sessions to large-scale Sound-Mandala performances, each offering is crafted for your unique context.
Seamless Coordination
Once we align on the vision, I handle all the creative preparation. You will receive clear guidance on setup, timing, and how to prepare your audience for the experience.
Journey Together
The moment arrives. Whether in person or virtual, we embark on a transformative journey bridging ancient wisdom and modern soundscapes. The present moment awaits.
Share Your Vision
Tell me about your event, retreat, or personal journey. Whether you are seeking a festival performance, corporate wellness session, or private meditation experience, I am here to listen.
Tailored Experience
Based on your needs, I will design a custom experience. From intimate voice meditation sessions to large-scale Sound-Mandala performances, each offering is crafted for your unique context.
Seamless Coordination
Once we align on the vision, I handle all the creative preparation. You will receive clear guidance on setup, timing, and how to prepare your audience for the experience.
Journey Together
The moment arrives. Whether in person or virtual, we embark on a transformative journey bridging ancient wisdom and modern soundscapes. The present moment awaits.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Got questions? We have got answers. If you do not find what you are looking for, reach out to us directly.
I am a Zen Buddhist priest, live-looping artist, and meditation musician from Tokyo, Japan. After studying at a Soto Zen monastery and the San Francisco Zen Center, I created a unique practice called Sound-Mandala that bridges ancient Buddhist traditions with modern soundscapes.
Sound-Mandala is my signature live performance style. Using a loop station, I layer Buddhist chanting, beatboxing, handpan melodies, and my multi-layered voice to create spontaneous, meditative soundscapes. Each performance is completely improvised and unique.
I perform at music festivals (SXSW, Wonderfruit, Shambala), corporate wellness events, meditation retreats, private ceremonies, and special occasions. I have also guided meditation experiences at unique venues like NASA keynote presentations.
Yes, I offer virtual meditation sessions and performances that can reach audiences anywhere in the world. These online experiences maintain the same depth and presence as in-person gatherings.
Reach out through the contact form or WhatsApp with details about your event—date, location, audience size, and the type of experience you envision. I will respond within 48 hours to discuss how we can create something meaningful together.
My music is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and SoundCloud. The Heart Sutra Beatbox Remix that went viral during the pandemic is a great starting point.
Begin Your
Inner Journey
Whether you are seeking a festival performance, corporate wellness experience, or private meditation session, I am here to create something meaningful together.
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