Introduction to Yasugi-Kiyomizudera Temple
Yasugi Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in 587. It is believed to be a temple that wards off bad luck. Within the temple grounds there are many buildings, including the main hall, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property, and the 33.3m (36.42 yd) tall three-story pagoda.
There is only one bus from Yasugi Station to Yasugi-Kiyomizudera Temple every two hours. If you are going by bus, it’s best to check the timetable. There is a parking lot, so you can go by car.
Shukubo (temple stay)
As I walked along the approach to Yasugi Kiyomizudera Temple, the first thing I saw was Shokinkan. When I turned right further back, I found Koyokan.
The shukubo was founded over 150 years ago, and the main building is over 70 years old. The building and entrance had a time-honoured air about them.
I stayed in a Japanese-style room on the second floor, which consisted of two adjacent six-tatami rooms. The room was equipped with a TV, air conditioning, a closet, and an air purifier. Yukata, gown, towel, bath towel, and toothbrush were provided (The razor was in the bathroom).
In the back room there were two low beds lined up, suitable for a Japanese-style room. It was fluffy and comfortable to sleep on.
Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
The greatest pleasure at Koyokan is the Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. There were many bamboo shoot dishes served, including rice, simmered dish, and Dressed salads.
I also tried their specialty, imitation squid sashimi. It is made by solidifying transparent warabimochi (bracken-starch jelly) into a long, thin shape resembling squid. I ate it with lemon juice.
The fried arrowhead was sprinkled with mushroom powder and was crunchy like potato chips. The sesame tofu was so finely textured that it stuck to my tongue.
When I opened the lid of the eel imitation, the smell of soy sauce wafted out.
There were also other dishes available, such as tempura, steamed dishes, and soba noodles. It was quite filling even though it didn’t contain any meat or fish.
The dessert was strawberries with sake lees sauce, sesame tofu topped with brown sugar syrup and kinako (soybean flour), and yuzu peel.
While I was eating, I could see the garden and the illuminated three-story pagoda from the window.
Bath
The bath was a semi-natural Komeiseki hot spring. It was effective for relieving neuralgia, poor circulation, and fatigue.
When I checked in, I decided and reserved a bathing time and was able to have the bath all to myself. The bath was spacious enough for 5-6 people to use at once. It felt great to be able to stretch my limbs.
Breakfast
Services are usually held in the main hall of Yasugi-Kiyomizudera Temple early in the morning. Unfortunately, the day I stayed there, it wasn’t being held. So in the morning I took a relaxing bath.
Afterwards I had breakfast. The menu includes rice, miso soup, grilled fish, chawanmushi (Japanese steamed brothy custard), sesame tofu with thickened sauce, spinach and shiitake mushroom salad, soy pulp, nori seaweed, pickled plums, pickles, strawberry and pear compote, and coffee.
Owner of the Koyokan
I had met the owner of Koyokan on the Internet, so we took a commemorative photo at the end.
He had suffered a serious leg injury at this time. However, he said that his son, who was in charge of cooking while he was in hospital, has become a reliable person. The other staff were also very kind.
Zen meditation
After checking out, I tried out Zen meditation. A separate reservation with Yasugi-Kiyomizudera Temple is required for this. Zen meditation took place in the goma (Fire Ritual) hall next to the main hall.
There was a sign in front of the hall explaining about Zen meditation.
When I entered the hall, I saw a statue of Acalanatha enshrined directly in front of me.
Acalanatha sat firmly, holding a sword and a rope, glaring at us. Before starting Zen meditation. I felt my mind become more focused.
After waiting for a while, a monk came and explained how to sit. And then I started Zen meditation (It was when the COVID-19 was just starting to spread, so I was wearing a mask).
The temple is surrounded by nature and the cool air felt wonderful. My legs were numb, but I felt great.
The monk was very polite from the time I made the reservation until the instruction on the day.
