Kansai– Temple stay –

Hojoin was founded about 870 years ago. This is a temple lodging located right next to the Danjo Garan (the central temple complex) at Koyasan. Dinner was buddhist vegetarian cuisine. I also experienced the morning memorial service and copying sutras.

What was most appreciated was the consideration of the priests working at the shukubo. When we arrived at the shukubo, we were guided to the room and tea was served. While we were drinking tea, the shukubo staff gave us some recent information on Mount Koya.

This shukubo features barrier-free construction. A wheel chair can be lead from the underground parking lot to the inside of the building by an elevator. Another big feature is the shojin vegetarian cuisine. Their creative and positive approach is to always introduce new things, not solely depending on existing items.

Asukadera Temple was built in 596 and is Japan's first Buddhist temple. Shutokubo is a 5-minute walk from Asukadera Temple. This shukubo is exclusively for groups and can accommodate 10 or more people. The monk took good care of us and we had a great time.

This is a place of Shugendo opened by practitioners in a mountain. The shukubo serves as a youth hostel in which you share rooms with other people.The head priest and his wife are very frank. When I stayed there, We talked about a lot of things and took pictures together to commemorate the stay.

This shukubo is located in Yoshino, which has been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gunpoen garden is a kind of pond garden and is said to have been built by Sen-no-Rikyu. As for the meals, they serve kaiseki course meals including sweetfish, tofu and buckwheat noodles, etc. I was quite full after the dinner.

This is a historic temple that was founded over 1,400 years ago. There is a shukubo on the temple grounds that only accepts one group per day. You can try out a variety of experiences, such as morning prayer, copying sutras and Buddha images, tea ceremony, calligraphy, pottery, and kimono dressing (women only).

This temple is home to a statue of Bhaisajyaguru made in the 11th century and a statue of Acalanatha made in the 17th century. A youth hostel is run in the temple. There is plenty of nature around and you can go hiking.

Hotoji Temple is built in an area surrounded by sacred mountains. This is a shukubo with a great view of the mountains from the room windows. You can experience Buddhism through activities such as copying sutras and yoga. There is also a cafe on the premises.

Kouninji Temple was founded between the end of the 8th century and the beginning of the 9th century. There are very few buses going to Kouninji Temple. Dinner was delivered to my room. There was a lot of variety and it was very delicious. The next day, there was a 30-minute service in the hall.