Kyoto-City– category –

Chisyaku-in is the head mountain of the Chisan school of the Shingon sect. Morning service, about 50 to as many as 150 priests chanted the sutra loudly to the sound of Kei (a board like a percussion instrument), which produces a very refreshing atmosphere.

Jokyoji Temple was built around 1171. It is located in downtown Kyoto. Modern accommodation facilities have been built in connection with the main hall. The next morning, I attended service. The attendees offered incense one by one. After the service, we also viewed the temple treasures in the main hall.

Chion-in is the head temple of Jodo-shu and is famous for the world’s largest wooden gate, the umbrella left by Jingoro Hidari and the nightingale corridor. At the shukubo, the morning service was more impressive than anything else. The shukubo itself is a modern reinforced concrete building.

This is a shukubo of Myoshin-ji temple. The building is neat and clean and offers complete facilities. We enjoyed a very comfortable stay there. We ate in the restaurant inside the building as we had made reservation. The next morning, a monk showed us around the grounds of Myoshinji Temple.

Toji Temple was built around 1,200 years ago when the city of Kyoto was established. The shukubo was three stories tall and old, but it had been renovated and was clean. From the window, I could see the illuminated five-story pagoda directly in front of me, which was wonderful.

Shogoin Monzeki is a temple founded in 1090 and is the head temple of the Honzan Shugen sect. Gotenso is a shukubo located within the temple grounds. Morning service begins at 6am. After the service is over, you can view the various halls, sliding door paintings, gardens, etc.

Nanzen-ji temple is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji school, Rinzai sect. It is one of the largest classes of temples in Kyoto, which ranks it above the five temples in Kyoto. It seems that a young priest is managing the lodging alone. He treated me with adequate hospitality and I was able to stay comfortably.

Daisenji Temple was founded in 1599. There are three lodgings renovated from old houses close to the temple. Each room has a kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. There is also a washing machine, which is convenient for long-term stays. Services are held in the main hall and you can attend.

Myokenji Temple was built in 1321. It is one of the eight Nichiren sect big temples in Kyoto. Accommodation is limited to women only. Upon entering the shukubo, there was a beautiful bamboo garden. The next morning, I attended the service held in the main hall.

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.