Koyasan Syukubo Ekoin in Koyasan

An amazing experience for body and soul. The place is astounding, both on the inside and the outside, with so many hidden corners and angles to explore. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful, and it allows to really let go and relax in a deep way. The ceremonies are somewhere between a real practice and a show, aimed at one-night visitors. I really recommend staying longer, allowing for a deeper experience, and mainly because you get to taste the unbelievable good food that is being served. The best I’ve ever eaten. It is exquisitely made, designed and served, with so many delicate tastes, textures, colours and forms, that it’s like a culinary amusement park. I stayed for 3 nights, and every day was a completely new experience, completely different and surprising.
Okunoin cemetery is in a very short walking distance, which allows to visit it very early in the morning, or late at night, which are the times in which it is the most magical. The young monks were eager to help with anything. And the onsen is very good, and completes the whole deep relaxing experience. A true haven away from the troubles of the world.

If you are a tourist and want the full experience of a Buddhist temple lodging that is accesible and gives you a sampler of the activities Koyasan is known for, I strongly suggest you to choose this place.

The staff are multilingual and the service is standardised and well executed.

They provide morning and evening meditations and the goma fire ritual, which is said to cleanse and purify the spirits.

They also provide you with a heart sutra copying sheet, which I enjoyed doing in their coffee-fragrant common room.

The highlight of the stay though, is the impeccable shojin-ryori (Buddhist temple food) that they serve for breakfast and dinner. Vegan food never tasted so holy. The chef took care that the meal possess interest, balance, depth. Shojin ryori doesn’t rely on fake meats, it instead incorporates natural ingredients such as mushroom, sesame tofu, vegetables. Even without garlic and onion, nothing was under-seasoned. I had a peak foodie experience in this place.

ごちそうさまでした

Extremely hospitable, delicious food, and a very comfortable stay. Make sure to wake up early enough for the morning prayer service, it's well worth it! The meditation guidance session was fantastic as well. Stunning to visit in November, with the beautiful red foliage around town.

This temple holds historical significance, evident from its architectural design. While the original structure is preserved, additional rooms have been constructed in the rear. The spaciousness of the temple is complemented by delectable cuisine. Although not opulent, the temple offers cherished memories.

The location is quite remote.

Above and beyond expectations. The monk who did the check in was very thorough and spoke perfect English. Others speak enough English for our needs. We opted for western style bed and it was very comfortable. The room floor and private bathroom are both heated - must be heavenly in winter. The shower is an experience in itself. The dinner is set up in a private room complete with poem and calligraphy on the wall. The best vegetarian meal we ever had. At the time of booking, I thought the price was a bit high but it’s worth every pennies.

It was a very special experience. The room was not big but clean and tidy. The two vegetarian meals were also very rich. I participated in the afternoon meditation and the night tour of the Oku-no-in Temple in the evening. The introduction along the way was quite interesting. The morning reading and fire festival on the second day were live broadcast on Facebook. At the end, throwing the written blessing signs into the fire was quite ceremonial. The overall feeling was good. There are many Western tourists in the town and it is also commercialized. There are far more Buddhist resources in China than here. If it is well operated and appropriately commercialized, there will be a lot of money to be made...

Viewed as a hotel, the stay can be described as interesting and pleasant. However, anyone expecting a deeper insight into esoteric or Shingon Buddhism will be disappointed. Of course the evening/morning rituals and the vegan food are interesting and even spectacular, but hardly anything is explained and there is no opportunity for conversation or other contact with the monks. Since the journey to/from Osaka takes at least 3.5 hours, you should definitely plan on spending 2 nights in Koyasan so that you can see the sights without rushing. My impression was that the stay primarily serves to finance the temples, and not to introduce visitors to the teachings of Shingon Buddhism or the monks' way of life. I wouldn't travel to such a remote area again for this little insight.