Chionin-WajunKaikan
TEL : 075-205-5013Address : 400-2 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, KyotoAccess : “JR Kyoto station” > (bus) > “Chion-in-mae bus stop” > 6 minutes walkParking : There is a parking lotTime : Check-in 15:00 Check-out 10:00Room : 50 guest room
Introduction to Chionin temple
Chion-in is the head temple of Jodo-shu and is famous for the world’s largest wooden gate, the umbrella left by Jingoro Hidari and the nightingale corridor.
Shukubo (temple stay)
The shukubo itself is a modern reinforced concrete building. Other than the priests at the reception, it looks like a Japanese style inn. (When I was taking a bath, a priest came in to share the bath.)
The room consists of two six tatami mat rooms. The room was equipped with a TV set, air conditioning and a safe. A towel, a toothbrush and a yukata robe were also provided. The curfew is eleven at night.
There were lots of souvenirs on sale in the lobby.
You can eat meals at Kasuian, a Kyoto cuisine restaurant, although it is a little expensive. As there are many places to eat near the temple, you do not have to worry. Although I was traveling alone, I was welcomed.
Morning service
At the shukubo , the morning service was more impressive than anything else.
In the Amida-do hall, we welcomed the priests while hitting temple blocks and then chanted “Namuamidabutsu,” which is followed by the service in Miei-do hall, a national treasure. We sat down in the interior, which is usually off-limits, and offered incense. A textbook of sutra was handed to each guest and we chanted the sutra together.
In the service, the names of the shukubo guests were announced one by one and a prayer was given for each of us and our ancestors. I had a stronger feeling of participation in the service of Chion-in than at any other temple.
More information
Chionin Temple has two buildings that are designated as national treasures of Japan. One is the Sanmon Gate. The other is the Mieido (main) Hall. Services are held here every morning and you can attend.
