Temple stay– Japan –

This is a temple stay located in the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, a famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido. Guest rooms are Japanese-style and very comfortable. I was able to start my morning off in a good mood while listening to the priest chanting Buddhist prayers and sutras in the background.

In the garden, there are a haiku monument of Basho Matsuo that is said to be the largest in the Tohoku district and Seikanzeon Bosatsu, an image of Buddha that is also considered to be a figure of the god of Mount Haguro at the period when Buddhism and Shintoism were mixed.

Ikutabo is a shukubo run by the son of the Shinto priest and his kind mother. It is more like a private inn. As it is located closer to the starting point for a climb than many other shukubo lodgings lining up along the street, it is convenient for worshiping.

This is a shrine stay with a history of about 300 years. You can stay in a building that is about 100 years old. Dinner are prepared using seasonal local ingredients. The bath is an artificial mineral spring and is available 24 hours a day.

This shrine is located on Mount Chokai, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. There is a shrine lodging facility built for climbers.

This temple stay only accepts one group per day. It's easily accessible, about 30 minutes by train from Sapporo. It doesn't look like a temple from the outside, but when you enter the building, you'll find the main hall. Morning services are held in the main hall. The head priest and his wife chanted sutras.

Natadera temple used to be a holy place to worship gods in ancient times. Nachidera's shukubo "Ikumo" is located at the top of Mount Engyo, with an altitude of 470 meters. The experience menu includes musical meditation and shakyo (copying sutra by hand).

Motsuji’s shukubo is divided into Japanese style temple lodging and a youth hostel. The youth hostel rooms are shared rooms with a bunk bed. The temple lodging rooms are Japanese style six tatami mat rooms with tables, tea cups, tea pots, electric fans, futon mattresses and duvets and yukata robes.

This shukubo is located closest to the mountain gate of Zenko-ji temple. A shukubo staff member said, "The head priest or the vice-head priest usually guides guests around the precinct. Many of the guests are repeat visitors and we have a family relationship with them."

A giant temple of the Sodo sect opened in 1394. It worships a tengu (a legendary creature with a long nose). In this temple, Buddhism events at which many general people can attend are held. The Sunday zazen practice is held from 1:00 in the afternoon on the 2nd and the 4th Sunday.