Visiting Japan was high on my travel bucket list. After booking a stay in Osaka and Kyoto, I decided to look for a more authentic, Japanese experience.
With the usual tourist spots covered on my itinerary, I wanted to shake things up a bit and do something that was more of a Japanese experience than just sneaking photos of Geisha girls on the street. I decided on a temple stay on Mt. Koya.
A Japanese temple stay seemed pretty magical, and Mt. Koya looked like a small town in the middle of a Zen garden. It was the perfect distance from both Kyoto and Osaka, so I couldn’t resist.
The halls of Eko-In
If you pictured Buddhist Monks delivering hot tea to your rice paper walled room, you would be correct. This Mt. Koya temple was every bit of what I imagined and as I awoke each morning to the soft padding of monks feet, I knew that breakfast was on its way to be delivered to my traditional style bed, made up on the floor.
It was quiet, and when I wasn’t exploring the mossy cemeteries that reside on Mt. Koya and temples in the nearby woods, I was sitting on my wicker chair reading by the natural sunlight that shined through the over-sized windows that overlooked the garden.
On my last evening at the temple, I spoiled myself with a cold sake room delivery before dressing in an authentic Japanese robe and wandering down the dark halls to the traditional Japanese bath. I honed in my bravery and undressed before the other women who were already at the showers, rinsing before entering the warm, communal bath. Feeling cozy from the steam, I fell asleep easily that night, preparing myself for the Monk-led mediation course in the morning.
My vegan meal, delivered right to my room
How to Book a Temple Stay on Mt. Koya
At the time, I never came across anyone who had stayed in a temple and without any recommendation, the search was up to me. After a bit of Googling, I came across the 1000 year old Buddhist temple, Eko-in on Mt. Koya. After a glance at the exceptional reviews and facilities, I booked a room for two nights.
The traditional Japanese bath inside the temple
While Eko-in was AMAZING, I know there are quite a few places to stay on Mt. Koyasan. So, I’ve decided to do a little research on the best options so that you don’t have to!
Temple Stays on Mt. Koya
The Temple: This Buddhist temple is 1,000 years old. Guests here will find traditional, Japanese accommodation, free WIFI, and a Zen garden. Meals are vegetarian and delivered right to the room. And, you can order yourself a glass of hot or cold sake to be delivered with your dinner.
The Rooms: Rooms feature tatami-mat floors, views of the garden, sliding paper doors, and futon-bedding. Guests can choose an economy style room, family room, or superior family room.
Location: Eko-in is the first temple on the bus route and is in walking distance from restaurants, shops, the cemetery, and other Buddhist temples.
Highlights: Meditation class, Goma fire ritual, traditional Japanese shared bath, opportunities to write Buddhist scripture.
Check Daily Rates & Reviews HERE.
The Temple: A historic Buddhist temple surrounded by Zen gardens.
The Rooms: Rooms feature tatami floor mats, sliding paper screens, and futon bedding. Some rooms have garden views and private bathrooms. Vegetarian meals are delivered right to the rooms. The Koyasan cable car station is a 10-minute drive away. The temple is also in walking distance to Kongobu-ji Temple and Daimon Gate.
The Location: This temple is located in the heart of Koyasan.
Highlights: Traditional Japanese baths, sauna rooms, Zen garden, opportunity to attend Buddhist morning services.
Check Daily Rates & Reviews HERE.
The Temple: Historic, Buddhist temple in the heart of Koyasan.
The Rooms: All rooms are traditional Japanese style. However, some of them have regular beds while others have futon bedding. Guests will experience tatami floor mats as well as paper sliding doors. Vegan meals brought directly to the room.
The Location: The center of Koyasan town-in walking distance to restaurants and other Buddhist temples of interest.
Highlights: Opportunity to write Buddhist scriptures, Zen gardens, Buddhist ceremonies, traditional Japanese bath.
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