Temple Lodging (Shukubo)

What to know

Some temples in Japan, especially in popular pilgrimage destinations, offer temple lodgings (宿坊, shukubō) to visiting pilgrims and tourists. Temple lodgings provide a wonderful opportunity to experience the simple, traditional lifestyle of Buddhist monks.

Koyasan is one of the best places in Japan to stay overnight at a temple, with over 50 temples serving as shukubo. Unlike elsewhere in Japan, the temples on Koyasan are accustomed to foreign guests and can be reserved relatively easily through Booking.com, Agoda, or by email or fax via the tourist association. The typical cost has increased significantly in recent years and now ranges from 10,000 to 40,000 yen per person per night, including dinner and breakfast. Most temples accept only cash.

Temple lodgings typically offer simple, private, traditional Japanese rooms with tatami floors, sliding doors (fusuma), and shared toilets and sinks. Bedding consists of futons spread on the tatami floor at night. During winter, gas heaters provide warmth.

Try to arrive at the temple no later than 17:00, as dinner is usually served around 17:30 or 18:00. Dinner and breakfast feature vegetarian monk cuisine (shojin ryori) with specialties such as konnyaku (devil's tongue jelly), yuba (tofu skin), and koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu).

Guests are also invited to participate in morning prayers, which typically start around 6:00 am, last about 30–45 minutes, and are followed by breakfast around 7:00 am. Some temples also hold a meditation session in the late afternoon. During your stay, you may view the temple's cultural treasures, halls, and garden, as well as enjoy its communal, gender-separated baths.

Temple lodgings are spread across the entire town of Koyasan.