Temple stay– Japan –

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.

Myokaiji Temple was founded in 1359. It is built on a hill overlooking the sea. Shukubo is located just a one-minute walk from the temple gate. This is a lodging facility created by renovating a house. Those who wish can also try out a meditation session.

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 shukubo is located at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Hokosha of Togakushi shrine. It has a beautiful thatched roof matching the well maintained garden. There was a morning service in which I participated. Their specialty, which is of course “soba” (buckwheat noodles), is nothing but delicious.

This shukubo is located in front of Zenkoji Temple, one of the largest temples in Nagano Prefecture. Dinner is shojin vegetarian cuisine. The bath was covered with tatami mats, which made quite an impression on me. The next morning, we were guided to the morning service held at the main hall of Zenkoji Temple.

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.

Yamamotobo is a temple founded by Nittyo, one of the six direct disciples of Nichiren, who founded Kuonji Temple. We stayed in two Japanese-style rooms, one with 10 tatami mats and the other with 8 tatami mats. I could see the Sanmon Gate of Kuonji Temple from the window.

Amatsushinmeigu Shrine was founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1184. Shukubo is located just across the road from the grounds of Shrine. This renovated house is now a lodging facility that only caters to one group per day. The next morning, we attended a shrine ceremony.

The room we stayed in was about 10 tatami mats in size. There was a TV and a fan. Yukata robes were provided. The dinner menu consisted of rice, clear soup, cutlet sashimi, boiled fish, konjac, etc. It's extremely quiet at night. When I looked up at the sky, the stars looked very beautiful.

Myokakuin is a temple located along the approach to Chomeiji Temple, which was founded around the 9th century. Only one group per day can stay. It was a wonderful view with Lake Biwa right in front of us.