Eye Contact Tokyo

4.8•290 ratings

About us

This group is for people who like self-improvement, adventure, communication and meeting new people. This meetup group is about creating connections with yourself and with one another. Members can join to challenge and improve their own abilities and social skills.

What we do: sit in front of another person, whom you often don’t even know, and look that person in their eyes. That’s all. It’s that simple, yet it can achieve so much. In Japan, a country where eye contact is usually avoided, this is especially powerful!

Expect to leave with many new friends and a sense of deep connections with others. The events are open to anyone. Usually, there are drinks and snacks available and you are free to network and speak with anyone you like. Here's an example of what it's like.

More about the group:

What is eye-gazing?

Eye-gazing has been practiced for thousands of years in Buddhist, Tantric and Sufi traditions. In a world where we're often rushing and don't stop to look each other in the eye, it's a simple yet powerful way to increase your connection with yourself and others.

Who practices it?

Anyone! This isn't for couples or dating - it's about human connection.

What's the benefit?

Studies have found that gazing at someone for a few minutes is enough to noticeably increase intimacy, empathy and connection. Oxytocin goes up. Your heart rate slows. Your blinking actually starts to sync.

Eye Gazing Tokyo is hosted by Tokyo-based blogger and entrepreneur, Misha Yurchenko, and is part of the Higher Consciousness Japan network, where we host events related to meditation, yoga, and more, with the goal of elevating our awareness and getting a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. And also, just to have fun!

Check out a video from our past event here! --> Eye Contact Tokyo Even Nov 2022 @ Sangubashi

Come join our Online Community on Discord to connect with like-minded people and discuss meditation, yoga, breathwork, fasting, etc.! We’ll also do some online meditations in the group :) —> https://discord.gg/Z64MY3wFYe

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⚠️ An important note about No-Shows: We have a limited number of space for this event. If you can’t attend, please cancel your RSVP so that others can join. Repeated no-shows will result in you getting kicked out of the group.

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To stay updated for more events, retreats and hear about people's meditation experiences, join our biweekly newsletter: Tokyo Mindfulness Newsletter

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Upcoming events

See all

¥1,000.00
Eye Contact Experiment @ YCC, Sunday 630-9pm 👀
Sun, Dec 13 · 6:15 PM JST
Yoyogihachiman Community Center, 5-chōme-1-15 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo, JP
What would your life be like if you felt more connected to yourself and the people around you?

Most of us want more connection. But even when we’re surrounded by people, we don’t always have the space to slow down and really meet each other.

This evening is an invitation to do just that. Through guided eye contact and conversation, we’ll explore what happens when we give another person our attention and notice what’s happening within ourselves.

Come on your own or with a friend. First-timers are very welcome. :)

日本語は英語の後にあります

🎥 Curious what it looks like?
Watch a video from one of our past Tokyo events →
Watch another example of an eye contact experiment →

📍 Details

Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
Doors open: 18:15
Event: 18:30–21:00
Venue: YCC Yoyogi-Hachiman Community Center
Room: 3rd floor, Studios 4 & 5（スタジオ４・５）
Entry: ¥1,000, payable by cash or PayPay. Exact change appreciated.
Please arrive on time! Doors open at 18:15 so you can check in and settle before we begin together at 18:30.
Google Maps →

What to expect

We’ll move through 4–5 guided rounds of eye contact, changing partners between rounds.

Each round will offer a different inquiry to help you explore your present-moment experience. For example:
- What happens when you allow yourself to be seen?
- How can you let go of some your defenses and just be here?
- Can you stay connected to yourself while being with another person?
During the eye contact, we’ll sit together quietly. After each round, you’ll have about 8-10 minutes to talk with your partner, share what you noticed, and listen to their experience.

There will also be time to reflect together and get to know others in the group.

Sometimes it feels awkward. Sometimes there’s laughter, warmth, sadness, or a surprising sense of ease. There’s no particular experience you need to have. The practice is simply to notice what’s here, with curiosity.

Go at your own pace

You’re welcome to look away, take a break, or sit out a round at any time. You choose how much you share.

No experience with meditation or eye contact is needed. You don’t need to feel confident or know what to say. Come as you are.

🎒 What to bring
Water, comfortable clothes, and a little curiosity. :)

🙏 Before you come
Please register only if you plan to attend. If your plans change, cancel your registration so someone else can take your place.

Please arrive before our 18:30 start and check the room carefully: we’re in Studios 4 & 5 on the 3rd floor.

About your host

Misha Yurchenko is the founder of Tokyo Mindfulness, a certified mindfulness meditation teacher through MMTCP with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, and the author of Beyond Calm.

His approach brings together mindfulness, curiosity, and honest human connection, with space for whatever you’re experiencing.

💌 Stay connected
Tokyo Mindfulness: events, retreats & courses
Instagram · Substack

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Misha 😊

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自分自身や周りの人とのつながりを、今よりもっと感じられたら、あなたの毎日はどう変わるでしょうか？
人とのつながりを求めていても、日常の中では、ゆっくり立ち止まって誰かと向き合う時間は意外と少ないものです。
このイベントでは、ガイド付きのアイコンタクトと対話を通して、相手と向き合いながら、自分の内側で起きていることにも気づいていきます。
お一人でも、お友達と一緒でも。初めての方も大歓迎です。:)

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📍 開催概要
**日程：**2026年12月13日（日）
**開場・受付：**18:15
**イベント：**18:30〜21:00
**会場：**YCC代々木八幡コミュニティセンター
**部屋：**3階スタジオ４・５
**参加費：**1,000円（現金またはPayPay。現金の場合はお釣りのないようご協力ください）
時間に余裕を持ってお越しください！ 18:15から受付を開始します。18:30に皆さんで一緒に始められるよう、それまでに受付を済ませてご着席ください。
Googleマップ →

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当日の流れ
パートナーを交代しながら、ガイド付きのアイコンタクトを4〜5ラウンド行います。
毎回異なる問いかけを通して、「今、この瞬間」の自分の体験を探っていきます。例えば：
- 相手の目を見ているとき、体にはどんな感覚がありますか？
- 相手に見られていることを、そのまま受け入れてみると、何が起こりますか？
- 相手と一緒にいながら、自分の気持ちや感覚にも気づいていられますか？
アイコンタクト中は、静かに相手と向き合います。各ラウンドの後には約10分間、感じたことをパートナーと話し、お互いの体験を聴く時間があります。

全体で振り返ったり、ほかの参加者と交流したりする時間も設けます。
気まずさ、笑い、温かさ、悲しさ、安心感。何が出てきても、特別な体験がなくても大丈夫です。好奇心を持って、今の自分に気づいていきましょう。

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自分のペースで参加できます
途中で目をそらしたり、休憩したり、ラウンドを見学したりしても大丈夫です。話す内容や、どこまでシェアするかも自分で選べます。
瞑想やアイコンタクトの経験は必要ありません。緊張していても、何を話せばいいかわからなくても、そのままでお越しください。

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🎥 イベントの雰囲気を見てみる
過去の東京でのイベント動画 →
アイコンタクトの別の実例を見る →

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🎒 持ち物
飲み物、リラックスできる服装、そして少しの好奇心。:)

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🙏 ご参加にあたって
参加できなくなった場合は、ほかの方が参加できるよう、登録のキャンセルをお願いします。
18:30の開始前にお越しください。 会場は3階のスタジオ４・５です。お部屋をお間違えのないようお願いします。

ファシリテーター
ミーシャ・ユルチェンコはTokyo Mindfulnessの創設者で、Jack KornfieldとTara BrachによるMMTCPを修了したマインドフルネス瞑想講師です。著書に『Beyond Calm』があります。
マインドフルネス、好奇心、率直な人とのつながりを大切にし、一人ひとりの体験を尊重しながら場をつくっています。

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💌 つながりを続ける
Tokyo Mindfulness：イベント・リトリート・コース
 Instagram · Substack
お会いできるのを楽しみにしています！
Misha 😊
8 attendees