Many temples around Japan provide lodging for visitors interested in pursuing religious studies and learning more about Buddhism. Koya-san is especially noted for its concentration of such places, called shukubo, and guests from all over the world are able to experience life in a monastery during their visit.
View outside room at Shojoshin-in in Koyasan (photo: Andrea Schaffer/flickr)
Facilities vary greatly depending upon where you stay; some temples have only a few rooms for lodgers and others have hundreds. Some have shared toilets and baths, others have lovely suites overlooking gardens for meditation.
View from room at Shojoshin-in on Koyasan (photo: Andrea Schaffer/flickr)
Most of the facilities are Japanese-style and offer a shojin ryori vegetarian dinner and breakfast. It is expected that guests join the priests in morning prayers, and usually there is a short discussion about Buddhism or other issues after the prayers.
Ekoin temple – Shôjin-ryôri dinner (Photo credit: Stéfan)
You do not need to be Buddhist to stay in a temple, but it is important to remember that they are religious places and should be treated respectfully. Obey the rules and curfews established by the temple. In many temples the English is limited. For many, the shukubo experience is the highlight of a trip to Japan. A list of temples which accept visitors can be found at: http://eng.shukubo.net/temple-lodging.html and one of JapaneseSearch’s favourites is Shukubo Koya-san Eko-in Temple.
