Kyoto City– Temple stay –

Torinin is a temple built in 1531 within the grounds of Myoshinji Temple. The head priest is famous for his buddhist vegetarian cuisine and has written many books on it. The dinner menu consisted of rice, clear soup, chrysanthemum with white sesame sauce, stewed carrots and burdock, steamed radish, and pickles.

This is a shukubo of Choraku-ji temple and located in walking distance from the temple. You can participate in shakyo (copying sutra by hand, a fee is charged), religious services in the morning and hiking. The room had all the necessary facilities. It was a new room equipped with a lavatory.

A modern building standing next to Nishi-Hongan-ji temple.The room was large and roomy. It was equipped with a TV set, air conditioning, a safe, a refrigerator and a unit bathroom. Yukata robes, bath towels, toothbrushes, razors, etc., are also available. You can freely participate in the morning services.

Honnoji Temple was founded in 1415 and is the head temple of the Hokke sect Honmon school. It is the temple where Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's most famous warlords, met his end. Hotel Honnoji is located adjacent to the temple grounds. The entrance and lobby incorporate images of the era when Oda Nobunaga was active.

This is a women-only shukubo. You are free to participate in the services and the sermon (about half an hour). If you are alone, you may have to share a room with someone else in the busy season.The room I stayed in faces the garden, which allows you to sit and appreciate the beautiful garden to your heart's content.

This is a shukubo located near Nishijin and alongside the Horikawa River in Kyoto. You are free to participate in the morning service. They have no bath, so you have to use the public bath. The people at Myorenji temple were very frank and they told me a lot of things before I left.

This shukubo is located in the precinct of Myoshin-ji temple, which is famous for the Japanese garden called Aun-tei. The building is made of timber and allows you to feel that you are really staying in a temple. The morning service was conducted in the main hall from six to seven.

This shukubo is located inside the precinct of Ninna-ji temple, a World Heritage Site. The biggest charm here is the morning service. You are able to spend a solemn time in the morning in the main hall, a national treasure that is usually not open to sightseers.

This shukubo is located in the precinct of Kosho-ji temple next to Nishihongan-ji temple. It is close to Kyoto station and is convenient for sightseeing. The morning service was conducted by two priests and five believers only. It was a good experience.

This is a shukubo of a small temple located on a mountain in Ohara. The highly reputed shojin vegetarian cuisine won't betray your expectations. I was able to experience shakyo (copying sutra by hand) after diner, followed by zazen the next morning.