Shojoshin-in

Due to excess demand, new availability request are disabled, we will enable them shortly. Thanks for your patience.

Style: Buddhist-Temple

Price Per Person:
¥13,200 ~ ¥16,500

Guest Rating:

Address (English)

566 Koyasan, Koya-cho
Ito -gun

Address (Japanese)

和歌山県伊都郡高野町高野山566

MAP & DIRECTIONS

GUEST REVIEWS

475CHECK AVAILABILITY

Area: Mt Koya
Prefecture: Wakayama
Region: Kansai

Welcome to Shojoshin-in. This large traditional Buddhist Temple is one of the oldest temples on Mount Koya (Koyasan) - built 3 years before Kongobuji Temple. Shojoshin-in has Japanese style guest rooms as well as a "Hanare" (private guest residence which has a private bath and toilet), Japanese style gardens and a pond. Shojoshin-in provides shared baths for both women and men, and "shojin-ryori" or Buddhist Monk vegetarian meals without meat or fish of any kind are served to the guests. The early morning service is followed by a short tour of the temple's treasures (in Japanese). Shojoshin-in usually performs a fire ceremony at 13:00. It's not everyday so please ask for it during check-in. This temple has a great location at the beginning of the tomb-lined pathway to Okunoin, making it convenient for your late-night stroll to the mausoleum. Originating as a thatched hut built by Kukai more than 1,150 years ago and once the second-largest temple in Koyasan after Kongobuji, today it boasts attractive 150-year-old buildings, including a large wooden structure with rooms overlooking a small garden and pond. In total there are 21 rooms at Shojoshin-in.

Shojoshin-in performs a fire ceremony at 13:00. Please ask for it during check-in.

Check-in Time: All guests must check in by 17:00 (5:00 PM). If you are unable to check in by 17:00 the temple will not be able to receive you and your reservation will be canceled.

Shojoshin-in has a special cancellation policy:
8 Working days: No charge
7-5 Working days: 50%
4 Working days or less: 100%
No show: 100% x nights of no show

Facilities

(click to expand)

GUEST ROOMS

Japanese Style Room with Private Bath and Toilet
Japanese Style Room with Private Toilet Only
Non-Smoking Rooms
Towels

HOT SPRINGS and BATHING FACILITIES

Shared Outdoor Hot Spring Bath (Same Gender Only)
Shared Indoor Hot Spring Bath (Same Gender Only)
Private Hot Spring Bath in Guest Room
Private Outdoor Hot Spring Bath (Attached to Guest Room)
"Family Bath" (Privately Reserved Hot Spring Bath)
Mixed Outdoor Hot Spring Bath

REGULAR BATHING FACILITIES

Shared Outdoor Bath (Same Gender Only)
Shared Indoor Bath (Same Gender Only)
Private Outdoor Bath (Attached to Guest Room)
"Family Bath" (Privately Reserved Bath)
Mixed Outdoor Bath (Both Genders)

MEALS

Dinner and Breakfast Plan Available
Breakfast Plan Only Available
No Meal Plan Available

SPECIAL MEAL REQUEST

Special Meal Request (e.g. No Pork)
Vegetarian Meals (with fish)
Vegetarian Meals (no fish but with fish broth)
Western-style Breakfast

DINING ARRANGEMENTS

Dinner Served in Guest Room
Breakfast Served in Guest Room

OTHER

English Ability of the Ryokan Staff/Owners:

A Little English Spoken
Internet Connection:

Wifi Available
Internet Connection:

Wifi Available
Parking:

Free Parking
Curfew Time:

No Curfew
Pickup Service:
Single Guests:
Children under 12 Years allowed:
Pay with a Credit Card:
Shops and Restaurants Near Ryokan:

GUEST REVIEWS

Guest Photos:

You Must Be Logged In To Submit A Guest Review

Ryokan Reviews:

Amazing experience
Thiago
Date of Review: December, 2022
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This temple has an unique peaceful atmosphere. The whole experience was very good. My wife and I would highly recommend this place to stay.
Calm place
Date of Review: March, 2020
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Denmark
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This temple was lovely. We had a room facing the little garden and pond. Beautiful view and very calming. The room itself has a closed balcony, room itself with futon mattresses and a little corner with a sink. Theres a table and sitting area in the balcony where you can enjoy complimentary tea and snacks. The room also has a tv (we didn't use this), an electric kettle, a heater, and the temple provides comfortable Japanese clothes. We were also provided with towels and toothbrushes. The toilets were further down the hallway, and the shower (with gender divided onsen) was downstairs. Onsen can be used, and door can be locked. The room was nice and warm with the heater, and the futon mattresses were very comfortable. However, the rest of the temple was quite cold. The location was ideal and staff very kind. The dinner and breakfast were really tasty and served in private rooms. The morning prayer was about an hour. The monk welcomed us in English after the prayer and told us that we were allowed to walk around and even take pictures. The stay was very calming and peaceful. A few notes for improvements would be - cleaner shower-room - warmer hallways and toilets - some form of conversation or talk by a monk. This could be arranged in collaboration with other temples so all guests could gather at one place and hear about a monk's life etc. We loved the stay but missed some connection with the monks living there. Overall, we warmly recommend this temple and stay. It was our highlight of our roundtrip in Japan.
Excellence
Suki
Date of Review: February, 2020
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Spent a few nights here as I travelled around Japan solo. This was a highlight of my trip and I would definitely recommend. Everyone was lovely and inviting , meals were tasty and filling, the room was comfortable, and the prayers were very grounding. Love the small touches like putting hot water bottles under the sheets to ensure I stayed warm at night, and having time in the private bath. Hope to make it back some day.
Shojoshin-in stay was fantastic
Alda
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Shojoshin-in is a beutiful place where I spent 2 nights. The room was really nice and cosy. The food and the room where it has been served were fantastic. I also liked the morning prayer. I could have stayed longer!
Great stay
Anne
Date of Review: January, 2020
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I love the temple location, it is next to the entrance of the cemetery. The food was wonderful. The staff are wonderful in explain things. Would definitely stay again if I were ever in the area
Amazing
Lisa
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This temple was beautiful. I have stayed in Koya-San before at another temple and this one was quite big in comparison but the staff went out of their way to make sure all guests felt welcome and special. We arrived late on our first day and they still served us dinner and warmed our bedrooms. The location was ideal and staff very kind. I highly recommend this temple for a special and authenticate experience.
This place is great
Claudio
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: México
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Everything was pretty good. The dinner and breakfast were magical! They have a burning ceremony at 1pm in a new shrine they just built. The morning ceremony is superb. You will enjoy for sure
Really nice experience
Camden
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This was overall a really pleasant experience. Dinner and breakfast were very enjoyable. The private bath was incredible. The atmosphere of the temple was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Everyone I dealt with was extremely pleasant. The location was perfect for seeing Koyasan’s main attractions.
Zen and lovely
Yves
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Interesting stay : discovery of a temple well located in Koyasan,possibility to observe an office and discover excellent vegetarian food We both enjoyed the journey with
Really special stay
Francisco
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Spain / United States
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojoshin-in was wonderful. We really loved the temple, the location and the atmosphere we experienced at Koyasan. The dinner was absolutely fantastic! One of the highlights of our Japan trip! They brought 10+ vegetarian dishes that were really really good and we loved. It was a lot of food and difficult to finish all of it! We also enjoyed the fire ceremony and the morning prayer which were two very special events. This temple and the surroundings are unique so we really recommend the stay at Shojoshin-in!
My temple stay location
Sheela
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Japan
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My very first experience in a ryokan. I didn't know what to expect. The location was just a minute away from the bus stop. Check in was smooth. The room was big & clean and the heater warmed it well. Although my night sleep was disturbed as the heater needed to be reset every 3 hours otherwise it kept beeping. Yes, as someone else mentioned, do wear warm clothes to the morning ceremony. The ceremony was good although I had expected more monks to be present. The food was amazing, however, I wish I knew what I was eating. I'd have appreciated it more. Also wish we had more interaction at least during dinner when we were seated at different location for privacy reasons, I guess. As a solo traveler, I'd have loved to have dinner as a group. Walking distance to the Okunoin. An amazing experience.
Very good!
Chris
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: United Kingdom
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Really nice time. I don't have much to compare it to but I still feel like this was an authentic experience. My only advice would be to wrap up warm for the morning prayers if you are visiting in the winter months!
completely ZEN
Anita
Date of Review: November, 2019
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Photos can speak louder than words.....
Really nice experience
Peter
Date of Review: October, 2019
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
we were in Japan for the rugby but also wanted to tour Japan. Mt Koya was a wonderful experience. I liked the Ryokan very much. The private dining in traditional rooms was very pleasant and the room was comfortable with a beautiful view over the garden. Especially liked morning prayers. Really got us in the right frame of mind for the coming day.
Fue genial!
Alicia
Date of Review: October, 2019
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: España
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
El alojamiento en el templo fue una experiencia muy buena. Las habitaciones eran maravillosas, el templo muy tranquilo y el más cercano al cementerio okunoin para ir a dar un paseo tras la cena. Estuvimos muy cómodos. La cena no es en la habitación pero es en un tatami privado con bonitas pinturas en los paneles de las puertas.
Wonderful experience
Shu
Date of Review: October, 2019
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Had an amazing experience at Shojoshin-in. The hosts were very lovely and kind. The room was also clean and spacious. From the moment I checked in, Shojin Ryori style dinner, morning prayer, and the entire Shukubo experience was phenomenal and it was the highlight of my Japan trip. This place is also right beside Okunoin so it was very convenient for the late night cemetery tour and early morning visit at the Okunoin.
Highlight of our trip to Japan
Ivana
Date of Review: October, 2019
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Even though we only stayed one night, Shojoshin-in and the Koya San area was one of the highlights of our trip. A truly unique experience. Make sure to walk through Okunoin cemetery to the Hall of Lanterns. Shojoshin-in itself was very peaceful, the food was an authentic, delicious experience, and the morning ceremony was very interesting to see. Can't recommend this experience enough!
Magical
Polina
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koya-San is truly magical, and I highly recommend to spend the night there. Shojoshin-in in particular, is an excellent choice, don't think twice and book it - it was really authentic, not too big, quiet, and room overlooked a lovely garden-pond. Dinner was excellent - beautiful and very interesting vegetarian dishes. Location is also excellent, close to the Okunoin cemetery (recommend going to an evening tour there - leaves from the neighboring Eko-in). There is also a fire ceremony at 13:00 at Shojoshin-in itself, which we didn't know about - so I recommend coming early on the check-in day to enjoy it (we didn't have time to stay on our checkout day, and only attended morning prayer service).
Recommended: a true experience
Michela
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Italia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It has been a true experience to be hosted at Shojoshin-in. It takes few hours from Osaka to get to Koya San, but it is definitely worth the trip. The Japanese style room was clean and comfortable; a public bath is also available. Dinner and breakfast were amazing: lots of different and very interesting vegetarian dishes! We were also invited to join the morning praying ceremony run by monks. Definitely recommended.
Very interesting experience
Santiago
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I would recommend for the "temple" and "local" experience, but be aware that it is not a typical hotel. Beautiful place.
Authentic
Catherine
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I felt this had a true sense of authenticity to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Huge room food and prayers were the highlight for me. Stay here if you want to « feel » Buddhism.
beautiful room and authentic temple experience
Lody
Date of Review: September, 2019
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Loved staying here. The room was beautiful and the vegetarian supper outstanding. It was a privilege to be invited to attend the morning meditation and watch the monks chanting.
Nice place
Giacomo
Date of Review: September, 2019
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
La visita al monte Koya è stata certamente interessante, rilassante e ci ha regalato belle emozioni, ma devo dire che mi aspettavo di scoprire di più sulla vita e sulla cultura dei monaci buddisti e sulla loro filosofia zen. Invece siamo stati accolti da un monaco che con poche frasi in inglese scarno ci ha mostrato dove si mangia, dove si dorme, dove sono i bagni e le toilette e la nostra camera. Ci ha spiegato le (poche) regole del monastero: nessun coprifuoco, orari di cena e di onsen, etc e ci ha lasciati a noi. la cena è stata servita in una stanza privata senza che ci venisse spiegato nulla sui piatti (abbiamo dovuto indagare da soli su internet per capire meglio cosa avremmo mangiato e sulla loro dieta vegana) e senza avere rapporti né con i monaci, né con gli altri ospiti. Stesso discorso per la colazione. Alla mattina alle 6.30 abbiamo assistito alla preghiera mattutina, in un cui un monaco ha intonato per 1 ora dei sutra, cantando e suonando la campana. anche in questo caso nessuno si è preoccupato di spiegarci niente, il contesto, il significato, qlc dettaglio sulle divinità... abbiamo guardato e ascoltato in silenzio per un'ora un ragazzo emettere suoni gutturali e parole in qualche lingua sconosciuta a ritmo con una campana. non saprei neanche dire se era in giapponese! Dopo la colazione siamo stati congedati con un breve saluto e ce ne siamo andati. morale: bellissima ambientazione, pittoresca e caratteristica, davvero bello svegliarsi e andare a dormire in una stanza tipica giapponese, sul tatami, bere il te osservando dalla finestra il giardino perfetto con laghetto e carpe e piante. però mi sarebbe piaciuto più coinvolgimento e spiegazioni su quanto ci circondava. sembra più una macchina per soldi che un'opportunità di raccoglimento spirituale guidato da monaci esperti. Aggiungo anche che il cibo servito per cena e colazione a me non è piaciuto, ma sono gusti molto personali. Erano principalmente radici e tuberi e foglie e tofu, seguendo la dieta Shojin Ryori. Tutto cucinato davvero bene, ma a me proprio non piace quel genere di cucina! Magari informatevi prima per evitare sorprese; io mi ero portato "un panino da casa" e un kitkat! :-)
Wonderful!
Roberta
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Nice experience in a cosy traditional context.
Great place to stay
Julip
Date of Review: August, 2019
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Indonesia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
First experience staying here. Had been confused with his transportation, once asked on information, it turned out that the location was easily accessible. If using the train, look for destinations to Koyasan Station. The train will stop at 1 station before the Koyasan station then will continue using the Cable Car (this is very interesting). From Koyasan Station then continue using the bus. There are buses from Koyasan Station to the hotel. Both Buses and trains are covered by the Kansai Thru Pass. The bus has several routes and traverses almost all of the ryokan, so choose the appropriate bus (you can ask the officers at the train station, they are ready in front of the station to drive). Bus schedules are almost every hour. Like most Japanese, the staff are very friendly and helpful. The ryokan is quite spacious, so are the rooms. There are several choices of room types, I chose the one for myself, with sharing bathroom. Shortages in the room, electrical plugs are very limited, so for those who need more can bring cable roll / extension. At dinner, all guests are gathered in one room and given a small divider between rooms. The menu is very much. In the morning there is a prayer ceremony by monks. guests are allowed to come inside to see.
Great stay, again!
Antonio
Date of Review: August, 2019
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Portugal
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
It was our second time at this Ryokan/Temple and the experience is totally worth it. Recommended! The only thing i can point out is you can't have a bath in the morning because public bathing works only from 16:00 until 21:00.
Once in a lifetime experience
Burak
Date of Review: August, 2019
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Turkey
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koya-san was one of the most memorable parts of our 12 day Japan trip, and Shojoshin-in had a notable contribution. Sleeping on mats, observing morning prayer, eating shojin ryori (vegan diet of Buddhist monks) and just walking around one of the oldest temples in Koya-san was a life-changing experience for us. Yes, it is not a hotel, but the monks were very friendly and hospitable, and the facilities are certainly acceptable. As a bonus, Shojoshin-in is right next to the entrance to Okunoin Cemetery (which you should visit once in the morning and once at night). Highly recommended.
Exotic and interesting experience
Gustav
Date of Review: July, 2019
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Sweden
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We very much enjoyed our stay at Shojoshin! It’s easy to get there as it’s just next to two of the bus stops. Also, located just next to Okubo-in (cemetery and mausoleum) if you want to get out early for that, or for evening pictures. Anyway Kōyasan is not big so it’s easy to walk everywhere. The staff was friendly and welcoming, if their English was limited there’s printed information which is quite enough and all they explained all the important points. Food was quite a bit more diverse than we had expected and interesting - this might not be to the taste of everyone but we were happy to try it. Spacious rooms with a very nice view of one of the gardens and good access to common toilet/bath.
Amazing experience
Guido
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Argentina
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was our first time in Japan and we spent most of our time in Tokyo, which is GREAT, but at the same time, it can be kind of exhausting. Going to Koyasan and, specifically, staying at the Shojoshin-in was an incredible way to disconnect from the craziness of the city and appreciate both nature and the traditional set and setting. The place is totally authentic with an incredible vibe. The hosts are super nice and helpful and we really enjoyed the morning ceremony and the food. Oh, the food! It's 100% vegetarian and it's amazing. The mix of flavors, types of cooking and colors... it's beautiful. Please take your time to explore Koyasan, it's an amazing town. My only recommendation, if you are coming from Tokyo, leave Toyko as early in the morning as you can as the trip to Koyasan takes at least 4 or 5 hours at best, you need to change transportation many times and it can be confusing. So, better if you have more time to buffer. We hope to visit Shojoshin-in again soon!
Not what we had hoped
Carolyn
Date of Review: June, 2019
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 3
Food Rating - 2
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 2
We didn't feel this temple to be worth the effort it took to get there. The food was cold - though nice to look at. The early morning ceremony was uninspiring - the chanting went on for about an hour from 6:15 am, with the occasional ringing of a bowl or a bell. I guess I was really hoping for something more mystical. We had booked a room with private bath and got our own bungalow with a washlet/toilet, a very large urinal and a shower & bath that were so black we didn't want to use them. However, it is located right next to the cemetery which is useful, and the monk we dealt with was cheerful and helpful. We were not expecting luxury, we do understand it is primarily a temple, but it fell short of what we had hoped.
Magic spot
Ned
Date of Review: June, 2019
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Brilliant place to stay in Koyasan. Combination of beautiful temple, AMAZING food, really lovely rooms, great mini-onsen type baths, and location which is right next to the cemetery where you can get a very atmospheric walk, especially at dusk. Top notch.
A Highlight of Our Trip!
Hilary
Date of Review: June, 2019
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Highly recommend the Shojoshinin. After the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kyoto, the 3 hours it took to get to Kyosan was worth it. We loved the Shojoshinin and it's right in front of the bus stop while away from the main road. Pleasant and friendly staff, terrific food, and peaceful clean atmosphere. Sink in the room was nice. We were worried not to have a toilet in our room and this was no problem. My husband loved the experience so much, he wished we stayed a few more days. I'm not one to soak in the tub, but I highly recommend taking the hot bath to relax and unwind. An experience not to miss.
Lovely, unpretentious and comfortable
Belinda
Date of Review: June, 2019
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We booked a temple stay through Japanese Guest Houses, and chose Shojoshin-in because of the proximity to Okunoin cemetery. we paid a bit extra for a garden view room. The included dinner and breakfast were really interesting and beautifully presented. And we were very happy with the standard of the room which was very spacious, on the 3rd floor so very quiet. The shared facilities are good (choice of public or private onsen), toilets on every floor). The morning ceremony was beautiful and worthwhile. It’s like a ryokan stay, very unpretentious, and reasonable value considering the quality of the accommodation.
Highly recommend
Michelle
Date of Review: June, 2019
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojoshin-in was definitely a highlight on our trip to Kansai. We stayed at the temple for one night during our visit to Koyasan, and it was more than anything we could have imagined! The staff member who checked us in was super friendly, helpful, and treated me and my sister like daughters. Our room with garden view was spacious, beautiful, and comfortable. The generous dinner served was possibly the best meal I've ever had, extremely flavorful and interesting. Overall, an exquisite, unique experience that I'm very grateful for.
Fantastic
Erik
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Fantastic place! Very friendly staff with sufficient understanding of English. The dinner and the breakfast were great and also the morning prayer ceremony is something that no one should skip.
Amazing!!
Sarka
Date of Review: May, 2019
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was absolutely amazing experience, it was better that I ever expected! Staff very nice, the room is gorgeous, balcony to the garden with pond and Fish Koi, nice sound of water and beautiful view to the nature. It is right next to the Okunoin, which is a beautiful place, I was amazed. Even in the night to go there is a real experience, especially to get scared of the squeaky night squirrels with luminous eyes, haha! The dinner was the best meal I have ever received, very tasty, very nice presentation, I had my own tatami room and some young monk served me. The breakfast was nice too! I was regretting that I didn’t book 2 nights, it was a paradise for me. Highly recommended!!
An awesome experience
Joseph
Date of Review: May, 2019
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Shojoshin-in is right next to the starting path to Okunoin Temple which makes it an awesome location to stay at for a trip to Koyasan. The facilities and rooms were great. Not obnoxiously modern but modern enough to not be inconvenient.
Excelente estadia e atendimento
Natalia
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Portugal
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Recomendo este templo, ele encontra-se bem perto do cemitério Okunoin e é fácil a partir da sua localização ir para outras zonas do Monte Koya. O atendimento foi simpático e as instalações do templo são bem bonitas. Recomendo.
A nice experience but also a little disappointing
Jagruti
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We loved the train ride up to the mountain and found our way very easy. We had a nice stay, the staff was friendly and the facilities were clean and comfortable. It was a little more commercial then we had expected though, a bit of a tourist facility more than a monastery. There was one monk to welcome us, one monk who served diner and breakfast and one monk who performed the prayer ceremony. It was not, as I had expected, a taste of the real live of the monks living there, of the Buddhist experience. We loved the hote tube the most, especially because it was really cold in the building and we didn't like the smell of the heaters too much. All and all we enjoyed the experience but are left a little disappointed.
Spiritual experiencwe
Nicoletta
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Of the whole holiday in Japan, this has been the most beautiful experience I will never forget. Not mentioning the breathless landscape's view outside the train window before getting to the guesthouse, the guesthouse itself is mystic place, where you can pray or just breath the fresh air and enjoy the peacefulness. I am not a believer, though I took part of the morning ceremonies during my stay, because it really gives you an idea of what spiritualism is all about. The monks and staff are friendly and smiling, and both breakfast and dinner have been delicious! This time I was with my sister - hopefully we will be back with our mum as well! Keep up the great work and thanks for giving us the opportunity to live such a peculiar experience!!
calming
Jane
Date of Review: April, 2019
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Shojoshin-in is a very peaceful, beautiful place to stay. Our room was laid out beautifully and futons comfortable. We were 3 Mum, dad and 17 year old boy and we had enough space. The food was delicious and so beautiful to look at. The monks helpful and serene. The service lovely to watch and the graveyard next door was very atmospheric to walk through at night. One night was not enough really to see everything.We tried for 2 but only booked 4 weeks ahead so no availability. If you want a couple of nights book early
Shojishin- in:HIGHLIGHT OF OUR Japan trip
Anirudha
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Visiting Koyasan and staying at the Shojoshin-in was definately highlight of our Japan trip. Koyasan is a very special place , peaceful and beautiful, with so many temples and history behind each, and SHOJOSHI-IN is one of the best places we were in Japan. The living experience, food, and the facility, history is fascinating. well worth to visit Koyasan and Shojoshinin-in
Nice experience !
Camus
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed in this very quiet temple in April : this location is ideal because it is right next to Okunoin, the famous Cemetery,a mystical walk! We have a nice traditional Japanese style room, with all comfort and heater. The dinner and breakfast made a good experience . Vegeterian food was very delicately presented . In the morning we were up early in order to witness the morning prayer,who was simply spectacular.The only negative is that you don't really get the opportunity to learn about the monastary, about Shingon Buddhism, because you don't meet monks after checking . We loved our stay in Shojoshin-in very much!
IS LIFE REAL? cause I'm beyond grateful
Tiffany
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: United States
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My stay at Shojoshin-in (located right next to the cemetery) was breathtaking. PURE MAGIC. Mr Nakatani and Mr Furuie showed endless hospitality and kindness. It was easy to access all the must see spots from this temple. The food was great (so so much food), real human connections were made, the room was perfect from the kotatsu to the tatami flooring. It was all such a surreal experience, my heart is full. Can't wait to see Mr Nakatani and Mr Furuie again. Will definitely be staying at this temple. Thank you so much.
Nice experience
Manuela
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Colombia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My husband and I visited this place in April 2nd. It was a very nice experience than highly recommend you. Sleep in a temple, eat vegetarian food, etc! Good location and service. The food is good and enough. The place is clean. The ceremony was different than we imagined because we thought and was really a Monk praying. Anyway it was good and we visited 3 halls (sacred place) with offerings
Great overnight
Jeffrey
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We are a family of four (two girls, ages 17 and 9) and we really enjoyed our stay. In fact, for the kids it may have been the highlight of their trip to Japan. The monk (there is only one) was lovely and communicated to us as best he could about the tradition. Our temple experience also doubled as our Ryokan experience and the girls loved it. Don't expect comfort-- the pillows were the meditation pillows that are filled with some kind of bean bag like material. The food was interesting. The temple's location is also fantastic-- it is maybe 100 feet from the entrance to Okinuin, which makes a night time visit much easier. Our best advice for other travelers is to be prepared for the cold--it snowed during our visit in April. Bring gloves, sweaters and wool hats. The one unfortunate part of experience is that they use kerosene heaters, and the one in the girls' room leaked. Even after they changed it out for another, there was still a smell. If you can avoid using them altogether, you'll be better off, but it is quite cold in the temples.
What an amazing place!
Lauren
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Staying at Shojoshin-in was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan! We highly recommend a visit to the lovely quiet town of Koyasan and a stay at this very special Buddhist temple. The staff and the monks were so kind and accommodating, and the food was out of this world. Both dinner and breakfast felt so extensive and special- we would go again just for the dining experience! The rooms were spacious and it was very cool staying in such a traditional setting. It was chilly in March, but the heater and loads of comforters made the chill very tolerable. The onsen was amazing and also a huge help in keeping us toasty warm. It was very unique and peaceful attending the morning ceremony with the monks. The experience was truly amazing!
Relaxing and tranquil stay
Mei wan
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We really wanted to do a temple stay and came across this site to help apply for one. The booking process was very easy and our stay was perfect. We enjoyed the calm and tranquil environment of the temple and had the pleasure of observing the morning prayer by the monk of the temple. The food was amazing and filling and the baths relaxing. There was even a private bath each for men and women in case you were too shy to bath in the public ones. Close to other historical sites and shrines and staff were lovely. Would definitely stay again!
Terrific for our school group
Kevin
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: United States
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We brought nine high school students to Japan for a week, and Shojoshin-in in Koyasan was one of the highlights. We were only in the area for one day, just long enough to explore Okunoin cemetery in the freezing rain before staying at the temple. The food was thoroughly delicious, the staff was unfailingly polite, and the accommodations were quite pleasing. Note that the showers are communal (separated by gender), and there are no locks on the room (there is an in-room safe, however), but these are minor items to adjust to. The rooms are kept warm by a gas heater which shuts off after three hours (it plays a tune as a warning), but there were also hot water bottles in each futon. Pro tip - if the pillow seems too hard, tuck it underneath your futon instead of directly under your head. A stay at Shojoshin-in is highly recommended!
A good stay
Jesse
Date of Review: December, 2018
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Unfortunately we were the only guests on Dec 11, we had the entire temple to ourselves so it was a bit quiet and scary at times. The stay was amazing, the morning ceremony went for 50 minutes and the food was beautiful. Western facilities were available and our host was very considerate and helpful even though he could not speak English. There was construction works next door which got annoying but was not too loud, the only reason why I rate the atmosphere as 4. A very good stay even if it was 3 degrees Celcius!
One of the most memorable day in Japan
Catalina
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Mexico
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The temple eas incredible, the facilities like a dream. The host is very kind, delicious food. Totally recomended place to stay one or two nights.
Traditional Experience
Catia
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Portugal
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was my first stay at a temple. It was absolutely wonderful!!! They were so kind to me (I was a solo female traveler), they did a tour around the temple with me and explained every detail. The room was big, very nice and so clean. I had some tea and sweets on the table when I arrived. The futon was fluffy too. It was a bit cold at night outside but the room was warm. The toilets were western toilets and modern. The bath was a traditional one. The dinner was soooo extensive and had variety even though its a veggie meal. It was delicious. I highly recommend this place and I will definately return again.
Totally worth the trip!
Yy
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Most things have already been said in other reviews. In short, everything was fantastic and we would absolutely do it again; getting there was a trek (and don't expect the trains to always get you to your destinations on time!!) but well worth it. Due to the hassle of getting there and back we would recommend staying overnight, and of course the temple stay itself was a highlight. We went late October and it was getting cold especially at night, but heaters are provided to keep your rooms toasty. It wasn't busy at all and when I showered at the shared facilities, I was the only person. Morning prayers I believe are optional (but do check) - when I was there, there were 2 monks present and the rest of the monks I'm guessing must do their prayers in a separate area. It took about an hour with no special effects like fire so some travellers may not find much "entertainment value" especially at 6 in the morning. As a Buddhist I enjoyed it very much and we had the opportunity after prayers to browse the little gilded prayer hall. Note a loud gong sounds several times before 6am as a reminder.
Great experience
See yen
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My boyfriend and I loved staying at Shojoshin-in very much. It was very cold outside yet we still felt comfortable and warm in our room. The room was nice, clean and relaxing. The dinner and breakfast made the experience even better. It's worth to travel and stay there. Highly recommend!
Great!
Magnus
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Sverige
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
A very good an interesting visit.
Great experience
Sylwia
Date of Review: October, 2018
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Poland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was really great place, beautiful and calm. The meals was excellent (the best japanese style meals we ate during our 3 weeks trip), the rooms clean and the monks very kind. And the bath was great too. The access to Koya-san takes few hours, but the place is worth of that travel :). I can honestly recommend you to stay at Shojoshin-in.
An unique experience
Renata
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Portugal
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Amazing experience in Shojoshin-in. Friendly staff, beautiful room with garden view and the temple is really close to the cemetery. This is a great opportunity to see an other side of Japan and to have an unique experience.
100% Worth it
Carla
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It may seem a hassle to get to Koya-San, and the Ryokans may seem expensive, but I promise you this is an experience of a lifetime.
Uma viagem no tempo!
Marcelo
Date of Review: September, 2018
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Brasil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
O templo é muito bem localizado, bem próximo à entrada principal do cemitério Okuno-in (uma das atrações imperdíveis de Koyasan). O "staff" fala um inglês bastante limitado e por vezes difícil de entender, mas que no fim das contas resolve. O quarto impressionou pela amplitude (fiquei sozinho num quarto que tinha até uma pequena varanda dando para um lago com carpas e uma queda d´água. Foi maravilhoso ter a experiência autêntica da arquitetura tipicamente japonesa, incluindo o dormir em futon (bastante confortável) e a decoração minimalista. Simples, mas com estilo. As refeições foram maravilhosas, dando-me a oportunidade de experimentar não só o sabor mais original da culinária japonesa, finamente apresentada, quanto a vivência de comer numa sala de tatami usando uma yukata (espécie de quimono). O banho é típico japonês, muito bom também. A cerimônia da manhã abrangeu orações, cânticos e até o tocar mágico de tambores. Toda a experiência foi singular e inesquecível!
Home away from home
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Sweden
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My stay at Shojoshin-in fullfilled every possible expectation. The temple is a beautiful quiet very harmonious place. The staff are doing everything in their power to make you feel at home. I can recommend The slightly more expensive garden view room. I can also recommend a longer stay. I stayed 5 nights and I could have stayed longer. I am not a vegetarian but the meals were so delicious that I did not even think of meat.
A wonderful experiencia
Angela
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Amazing experience in this charming area. People are very nice here, The Buddhist food was exquisite and good onsen (you will be able to choose a private or a public one). The temple is next to the beginning of the marvellous Okunoin's cemetery and around 15 - 20 mins to the temples area (the opposite site in the small town). Peaceful and quiet.
Enjoyable stay
David
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: England
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My family and I had a great experience staying at the Shojoshin-in Temple in Koyasan. We were made to feel very welcome by the monks. The rooms and facilities were comfortable, the vegetarian meals were delicious, and morning prayers were a great experience. The grounds are pretty, and the location is good being right next to the cemetery.
Wonderful experience
Esther
Date of Review: August, 2018
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It has been a very nice experience for all familly members. Rooms were very clean and comfortable, facilities were perfect and meals were very interesting and tasty!
Very nice mindfulness experience
Nuria
Date of Review: August, 2018
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Catalonia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
Quasi bé tot de la nostra estada a Shojoshin-in va ser perfecte. El temple, el nou que están construint, i la proximitat al cementiri d'Okuonin (hi ha una porta oberta al temple sempre o sigui que pots anar a voltar després del sopar) era absolutament fantàstic. El personal era amable i sembla que han millorat una mica l'anglès. Tota l'experiència val la pena i compleix les expectatives. Les pregàries dels monjos al matí són una experiència de mindfulness total i el menjar vegetarià és realment saborós i suficient. Podeu prendre un bany a l'onsen abans o després del sopar. Actualment, ja s'accepten pagaments amb targeta de crèdit. Quite everything of our stay at Shojoshin-in was perfect. The temple, the new one being constructed and the closeness to Okuonin cemetery (no curfew in the temple so that you can walk around after dinner) was absolutely fantastic. The staff was friendly and it seems thay have improved a little bit the english. The whole experience is really worth and fulfills expectations. Morning service is a calm mindfulness experience and vegetarian food is really tasty and enough.You can take a bath in the onsen before or after dinner. At present, payment with credit card is accepted there.
A wonderful place
Merete
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I was travelling by myself to the temple and enjoyed it immensely. I am happy that I stayed for 3 nights. The room was lovely, and although I was concerned about sharing facilities, this was not a problem as toilets were plentiful and clean, and there was a separate sink in the room. The temple and the staff were great. Can be recommended.
wonderful experience
Matteo
Date of Review: July, 2018
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My wife and I stayed at Shojoshin-in Temple in July and it was an absolutely wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Japan. The room was perfect traditional Japanese style room and the traditional Japanese Garden was wonderful. The location is ideal because it is next to the mystical path to Okunoin Temple and within walking distance from the other temples in the town. We found food not as fantastic as all other. But this is probably a question of our taste (but we are japanese food lovers).
Favorite part of our trip to Japan
Todd
Date of Review: July, 2018
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: United States
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koyasan was our favorite place that we visited out of many cities in Japan, and Shojoshin-in was one of the things that made it so incredible. The facilities were clean and well-maintained, and the building itself is beautiful. Dinner and breakfast at Shojoshin-in stand out as two of my favorite meals I had in Japan. I was initially unsure about having shared restrooms, but there are so many of them that you never have to wait and they are all spotless. The monks were very welcoming and helpful, and attending morning prayers was an amazing experience. Shojoshin-in is right next to the Okunoin cemetery, which was absolutely my favorite thing I experienced in Japan. It is also very close to coffee shops and restaurants and shops. I cannot recommend Shojoshin-in enough, it's a really unique, incredible place that should not be missed.
such a magical place
Estelle
Date of Review: July, 2018
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
one of our favorite place in all Japan. it was amazing, we highly recommend it ! everything was perfect : the location, the food, the bath, the monks were very friendly. We will definitely go back to this lovely place one day.
Magical experience
John
Date of Review: June, 2018
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: US
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our only regret is that we only booked 2 days. This ryokan in Koyasan was truly amazing, historic, authentic, a mind blowing experience.
Wonderful
Diana
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: US
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Spent two peaceful, reflective days at Shojoshin-in, and wished we'd stayed another day (though a large tour group arrived, so wasn't quite as peaceful_. Room was comfortable with a view of the garden (we spent 2 hours just watching the rain one day), and the food was amazing. Perfect location to visit the Okunoin as well.
Loved everything
Jaqueline
Date of Review: May, 2018
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We really enjoyed the receptiveness of the staff. The place is wonderful, the garden is very beautiful, the reception was warm (it was very cold day), the dining room was comfortable, the rooms spacious and lovingly tidy, with a nice bed and tea. The bathroom is shared but it is well cleaned, bathing in the ofuro is a wonderful experience. Near the bridge, it is a great starting point for walking through the Okunoin.
Most relaxing days of our trip
Rebecca
Date of Review: May, 2018
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Initially I was concerned with the price of accommodation in Koyesan, but it was well worth the price! We made the trek to Koyesan half way through our trip, which was the perfect mid vacation relaxing day. Sharing the washrooms and bathroom are no issue at all. The baths are private and didn't have to wait to use it. Staying at Shojoshin-in is definitely worth it and I highly recommend it!
Great stay in Mount Koya
Jannike
Date of Review: May, 2018
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Norway
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We had such a great stay at Mount Koya and at Shojoshin-in. Everything was very clean, great location, very good food, very friendly staff. Highly recommended!
STAY HERE!!!!
Stacey
Date of Review: May, 2018
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: New Zealand
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We decided to stay here for our trip to Mt.Koya whilst on our honeymoon. We were absolutely blown away by the experience! Everything down to the room, bathrooms and dining facilities were completely amazing. You get freshly brewed tea in your room each day, I would recommend upgrading to the balcony room to get the best experience, the rooms are private, we felt like we had the place to ourselves and the baths are amazing! We ended up having about 3 baths in one afternoon because it was that relaxing! If your wanting an authentic and genuine experience be sure to book here
A "MUST DO" when you visit Japan
Barry
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Mount Koya is an icon of Japanese History and resting place of many of Japan's most historical figures. For foreign visitors to have the opportunity to stay in a Buddhist Temple is as unique as it is a cultural MUST DO. The food was fantastic, and the staff was gracious, kind and compassionate. Our party of four included myself, my son and his wife and my four-year-old grandson, who loved the experience- including the morning service of sutra chanting which lasted 45 min. Our wish was that we should have planned two or three days on Mount Koya.
Koyasan Temple Stay
Edwin
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This is written in light of having many stays in different Temples previously.Atmosphere and staff is slightly lacking as there is minimal interaction or ability to "see" the Temple grounds and buildings (subject to their restrictions). Food is plentiful for dinner but somewhat skimpy for breakfast but all delicious. Great location and room with lovely Blessings at Morning Prayer for the guests.
Amazing experience
Esther
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Israel
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I cannot recommend this place enough. This temple is in great location, a few seconds from a bus stop and very close to the famous cemetery. The temple itself is beautiful, the room I got was big and nice, I had everything I needed. The dinner and breakfast were amazing and one of the most delicious food I ate in Japan. The staff was amazing and I'm definitely going to return.
Wonderful experience on Koyasan
Jun kit
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Singapore
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
One of the highlights of my trip. Very well located right beside the Okunoin and a bus stop. Staff were friendly and check in was smooth. They walked me around the temple and explained where everything was. The shojin ryori (Vegan Buddhist cuisine) was fantastic and one of the best meals I had in Japan. Service was excellent during meal times. The room was comfortable and clean. Everyone sat in during the early morning prayers and afterwards the monks welcomed us to take a look around the prayer area. It was insightful and added to the entire spiritual experience on Koyasan. Highly recommended to stay here if you are making the trip up Koyasan.
Highlight of our trip
Aislen
Date of Review: April, 2018
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We arrived here on a cold rainy day in March after a long journey to Koyasan from Kyoto - though the journey was a bit tiring, it was well worth the effort! As soon as we arrived at Shojoshin-in we were greeted by the friendly gentleman who checked us in a showed us around. The room was huge by Japan standards, had a beautiful view and traditional décor - best of all it was cozy and had traditional robes and tea for us to try. We were lucky enough to have just enough time for a bath before dinner and were very glad we did, as the private bath was amazing on a cold evening! I was nervous about dinner as I have dietary requirements (Vegan, nut free) but we had arranged this before hand with the booking. We had an amazing meal (the best of our trip) and no issues with allergies, the monks made us feel very assured that they understood the meal requests. Dinner was elaborate and delicious, as was breakfast the next day! Morning prayers was a great way to top off the experience and we would 100% recommend this to anyone going to Japan for something truly unique and unforgettable.
One of the Highlights of Our Japan Trip
Maricarl janah
Date of Review: April, 2018
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I highly recommend staying in this Shukubo. The reservation process went smoothly, the communication was timely and convenient. They take credit card for your payment which is also convenient. The price is definitely worth it. The location of this temple is right by the sacred Okunoin cemetary. I highly recommend walking through this amazing, but also a little eerie place. The room we stayed at was spacious, quiet, and very comfortable. The little table where you can enjoy your complimentary tea and sweets is right in front of a window and it has heated blankets around it which makes for a wonderful morning treat. There is a faucet and sink with a mirror in the room, but the toilet and bath are at common areas. They provide Yukata with the Obi and outer robe which really amped up our traditional Japanese Ryokan experience. The Shojin Ryori or Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine is delicious! We can't get over this one soup that had glass noodles and different vegetables in it that was warmed up by a lighted candle. The broth was clear, but you can taste the flavor in it. I didn't think I would get so full and blown away by vegetarian food, but it's definitely an experience you don't want to miss! You get to eat it at a Tatami room too that is designed for entertaining as you see the art displayed on the walls. The staff is wonderful! They are very accommodating. We only stayed overnight. It's difficult to explain the experience; It was calming, and you feel at peace; the ceremony early in the morning is about 45 minutes long and it truly makes you want to learn more and educate yourself about what it means and what their philosophy is about. Walking around Koyasan made us appreciate Buddhism by learning the stories behind the temples surrounding the village. It's said to be the center of Japanese Buddhism, a Buddhist town. So I definitely think this should be in every itinerary of those wanting to visit Japan.
Amazing Shojoshin-in
Yevgeniya
Date of Review: April, 2018
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: US
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This place is amazing! Everything about it - the temple, the monastery, the cemetery, the town was so peaceful and unique. This is one of the most cherished memories of our entire trip. We wish we could spend at least a week in this mistical place. Maybe next time! Thank you for making it happen for us!
Peaceful and Relaxed Stay
Nadia
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
A beautiful tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s cities. A comfortable spacious room with shared bathroom. Quiet atmosphere ideal for winding down. Meals were wonderful - all vegan, lots of variety and plentiful. We felt it was a little expensive for what it was, but comparable to other temple stays in Koyasan. We would happily stay again.
Great Experience for the Entire Family
Fabio
Date of Review: February, 2018
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The stay at Shojoshin-in was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. The atmosphere of Koyasan is wonderful. The monks at Shojoshin-in were very polite. The accommodation is what we expected of a Buddhist monastery, simple, clean and comfortable (even though the corridors are quite cold during the winter). the heater in the bedrooms are fine and the rooms are huge. They provided us with two rooms for my wife, two kids and myself. The food was very good and carefully prepared and displayed. Overall, a very nice experience.
Highlight of my trip
Michael
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Don't really have too much to say, the whole experience was wonderful. Bring a couple of extra layers if you're going there in winter, it gets pretty cold. Absolutely lovely place, definitely would visit again, 10/10.
Amazing
Rebecca
Date of Review: December, 2017
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: US
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I arrived at 4 and immediately took to the onsen with my yukata robe (SO comfy). I headed to an AMAZING dinner-vegetarian shojin ryori-a whole room to myself. (It would have been nice to eat with other guests, maybe request this ahead of time??) I woke up to a winter wonderland, bathed in warmth with a wonderful pot of tea and a sweet The morning prayer was at 6:30 and you could see the monk's breath as he sang An encapsulating experience Plenty of time to relax and explore before checking out:)
Wonderful Stay - Must see while in Japan
Maria
Date of Review: December, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: United States - Dallas
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Highly Recommended!!!! After a few days in the hustle of Tokyo our stay on the mountain was just what we needed. We stayed at the Shojoshin-In. This is the Japan I wanted to see.. Zen gardens, history, beautiful Temples. The Monks were very nice and welcoming. We stayed only 1 night. Buses run everywhere so no problem getting around town. We also found a Karaoke bar for a few drinks after dinner. The dinner was amazing with the food and atmosphere. Meditation with the Monks was another amazing treat. I was worried about being cold, but each room has a portable heater and we were not cold at all. If you can make it you must! The pictures don't do justice!
It was surely the best part of our trip
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Vietnam
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We was here at the end of November, the leaves was over peak color but it was still very nice. The temple was amazing, nice, peasefull, facilities were perfect, food was delicious. I love the town, the temple and wish to back here one more time.
Great stay at Shojoshin-in
Doug
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We spend 21 days in Japan and by far this was one of our best stays. The service was great and accommodations authentic. The food was over the top. We arrived expecting to have them store our bags until check in, instead they checked us in and got us all settled in. The service with the monks in the morning was a great experience I can not say enough about our stay here.
Great experience
Cristine
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Brasil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Wonderful experience . A place you have to be once in your life .
Worth every penny
Maarten
Date of Review: November, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: The Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojoshin-in was by far the most expensive one during our trip, but it was worth every penny. The spiritual calmness of Koyasan and the historic atmosphere of the temple make this an unforgettable stay. The rooms are spacious and the view from the balcony is marvellous. Every breakfast and dinner was a vegan feast and the morning ceremonies were really special to view. Overall this is a stay I would recommend anyone going to Japan.
Una soluzione perfetta
Pierpaolo
Date of Review: November, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Abbiamo soggiornato nello Shojoshin-in nel novembre 2017 e confesso che non potremmo essere più soddisfatti. La posizione del monastero è fra le più belle, la struttura è curata e molto bella. Stanze, servizi, cibo e accoglienza non potrebbero essere migliori. E la preghiera mattutina contribuisce ad arricchire ulteriormente l'esperienza. Che dire? Una scelta più che azzeccata per un soggiorno sul Monte Koya.
Great experience
William
Date of Review: November, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was a great experience staying here. The accommodation was a large comfortable tatami mat room with a view of a garden. The meals would have cost more than the reservation at any Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles, my home. The temple is right next to Okunoin, which is a great place to stroll after dinner. Go!
Magical and peaceful
Ramon
Date of Review: November, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Switzerland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 5
Because of heavy rain and flooding due to a late typhoon, getting to Koyasan was a bit hectic but the trip via bus was finally beautiful. The Ryokan was a very nice experience. Everything went very well, it was a peaceful moment. The food was excellent and the privacy of the dinner was appreciated. The prayer in the morning added to the magical atmosphere. Koyasan and Shojoshin-in helped to better understand japanese culture and tradition. Blue sky and red maple trees were added values.
One of our favorite places in Japan
Jennifer
Date of Review: November, 2017
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Cannot say enough about this place. The temple itself is beautiful and well maintained, conveniently located right near the cemetery for late afternoon or early morning walks. The vegetarian food for both dinner and breakfast was some of the best I have ever had. So subtle and clean and delicious. Accommodations were great. Would definitely recommend--and will hopefully return.
Un MUST en tu viaje a Japón! INCREIBLE
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Argentina
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
La experiencia en el Mount Koya fue hermosa. Es ideal para desconectar de la ciudad y respirar un poco de la filosofia japonesa. Quienes pretenden tener shows, no entienden que son templos activos y no un hotel montado para el turista. Los monjes no hablan practicamente, ni con los guests ni con la vida. Pretender que se pongan a charlar con uno en el pasillo es de ignorante. LA COMIDA ES EXQUISITA! La experiencia llena de paz. Las habitaciones son muy grandes, con linda vista. El templo en si mismo es hermoso. Poder presenciar los rezos matinales es muy purificador (no se puede participar de ellos, pero cuando terminan, podes pasar a cuartos de rezo que hay para invitados y los monjes tambien se unen). Recomiendo 100% la experiencia en este templo!
A special experience and A beautiful mystical path through the Okunion cemetry
Yvon
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: The Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
A professional welcome and good guide through the shukubo. A very nice room with view on a Zen garden. A very good vegetarian diner. Because we were so close the Okunion cemetry, we have walked there in the night and also in the early morning. Really a mystical path, all the very old trees and the graves....it is one of the most beautiful, spiritual places in Japan. The ceremony in the morning, the singing of the monks, you have to experience it. The breakfast was also very good. The price is a little high but for one night in such a surrounding, it’s more than oké .
One of the highlights of our Japan trip
Lara
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed for a night at Hanare (private residence). We were "lucky" as because of the coming typhoon there were no activities on the construction site, it was perfectly quiet. We took a bath in a cedar bathtub (quite a unique experience) and enjoyed the garden view seeping Japanese tea. The rooms were warm (there are kerosene heaters in every room, you won't be cold, but they are a bit smelly though). The beds were comfortable. Everything was perfectly clean. Shojoshin-in is the closest temple to the Okunoin, you can visit it as many times as you want :)
Experiencia única
Maria
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Colombia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Nuestra estadía en este templo fue maravillosa, la atención espectacular, el cuarto y las instalaciones impecables. La comida muy buena, bien servida. Recomendamos Koyasan, por la experiencia que se vive, el cementerio es hermoso y los templos alrededor divinos. Allá está el jardín zen más grande del mundo. Mucha paz!!!!
Peaceful, traditional and excellent vegitarian dinner
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
Our Ryokan was set away from the main buildings in its own garden - in fact it was a complete house. Which was lovely but not what we'd expected. Lovely and cosy bedroom and sitting room with tatami mats, and all very clean, but the wooden bath and bathroom area was "tired". But to be fair, I am not into that side of the traditional ryokan life! The meal was spectacular. We are not vegitarian but we both loved all the dishes and their complex flavours. It was well worth paying for this meal alone. Top quality served in a special private room within the main building. We again had expected to be possibly in a communal dinning room, but this private dinner was very special. Joining in with the prayers in the morning was a great experience then we were served breakfast again in our private dinning room - which was a bit disappointing as we thought we'd experience a little of the way monks lived, but not to be. I enjoyed the experience, I think we had different expectations, but I would recommend a stay just to enjoy and appreciate the dinner and all the care the monks took to prepare the food.
Koyasan in the Typhoon
Sean
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We had an excellent visit to Koyasan despite arriving on the eve of a typhoon. We arrived slightly late and in the rain, but located Shojoshin-in easily and check in was straightforward and friendly. We were delighted with our room and even more delighted with the evening meal, an excellent spread of vegetarian delights, with a range of flavours and piquancy. Morning prayers were an interesting experience and though long, passed mostly in a pleasant reverie. During the day we managed to visit a range of sites by bus and on foot, before having to retire cold and wet from typhoon rains back to the Ryokan. We were very grateful for the hot baths that afternoon. Having cut short the day we were glad that the site was so close to Okuonin as that allowed us to spend quite a bit of time the next morning, once the rains had passed, exploring the cemetery, which was very high on my Japan agenda. We had changed rooms from the first night to the second, and the latter slightly cheaper room was, though comfortable, not quite as well-appointed as the first. Overall a great recommendation for anyone wanting to steep themselves in the Japanese Buddhist world.
Comfortable stay and magical experience in breathtaking Koyasan
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: The Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The fun starts already with the journey to Koyasan by cable car. The town is very peacefull despite the number of tourists. So is the Shojoshin-in Temple. It almost seemed that we were the only ones there while they were fully booked. The location of the Temple next to the Okunoin is perfect, make sure you walk the path al the way to the Okunoin Temple (closes at 17). The rooms are spacious and well taken care of. The onsen is clean and beautiful with delicious amenities. The vegan dinner and breakfast were good and sufficient. To observe the monk during the morning ceremony was an experience to never forget. We travelled together with our 20 months old son who stayed for free. Despite that, they prepared an extra bed for our son and provided a special breakfast for him, so kind! The only downside to our stay was that we heard a television during the evening and part of the night but overall it was a magical experience on a perfect location
Magical plase
Raz
Date of Review: October, 2017
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Israel
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This was one of the highlights of our trip, a very cool ryokan experience. Location is perfect, right next to the cemetery (which makes for a very nice creepy evening walk). I loved the food, though my wife didn't so much (bring food with you just in case). The traditional Japanese bathing was incredible, a hot wooden bath that cleans your soul! The morning ceremony was interesting though somewhat long (what can you do, that's how they do it). Very friendly staff.
Lovely place and good value for the money
Marianne
Date of Review: October, 2017
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Norway
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Friendly and welcoming staff, very clean, wonderful and delicate food. Fantastic location. Next to Okunoin Cemetery which is a "must visit". Shojoshin-in Temple is a charming place where you get in touch with your inner self and it brings peace in harmony. We attended the morning ceremony and it was a beautiful one.
Great experience
Fabricio
Date of Review: October, 2017
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 3
Very nice experience, good atmosphere, peaceful and relaxing.
Exellent experience
David
Date of Review: October, 2017
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Israel
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed one night at this outstanding ryokan. The quiet and relaxed atmosphere enchanted us. The evening meal and the serving of this special Japanese meal was a first time experience that its impression lasts till this very moment and so will the memory of it carried for many years to come. The morning prayer was impressive and distinguished and completed our stay in a perfect way. We recommend this temple to all who wants to experience the Japanese soul.
Our experience
Ayoze
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 4
Koya is realy beautiful and calm place to visit and enjoy the natural enviroment of spiritual place. The temple was nice, but we felt it was too much tourism-aimed. I mean I missed to feel more close the real Buddisht daily life experience, like the possibility to participate in meditation ceremony, where we only could see it but not join the them. We didn't decide to visit a temple so far away to feel like in a hotel on just for sleep, but to enjoy a different experience which finally we didn't feel. I also missed a warmer welcome, and someone who had explained us a little bit more how is their life in the temple, spiritual beliefs, goals, ... in summary, what is the Buddisht spirit. Somehow we felt like in a hotel, except it was a kind of ryokan. Regarding the meals they were wonderful, for me it was exceptional quality and taste (if you want to feel different tastes than Europe), so I loved it. Considering the staying fare (not cheap), I recommend to invitate the guest to share monks life, teach them what is Buddisht, your mantras, and of course, the possibility to participate in meditation ceremony. Regards!
A peaceful retreat
Cristina
Date of Review: September, 2017
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
To have shukubo in Mt Koya is a unique experience. The ryokan is peaceful and the meals are a voyage in the voyage. To attend to the morning prayer is a must, and to sleep cuddled by the sound of falling water is a real gift.
Beautiful and peaceful place
Marina
Date of Review: September, 2017
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: US
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Exactly what we expected, beautiful and peaceful
Super atmosphère mystique
Louis
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 3
Accueil un peu difficile (anglais trés faible) mais chaleureux. Gros problèmes de toilettes assez spartiate, mais compensé par le mysticisme des lieux, ne pas manquer la prière du matin et les cours de méditation à côté, une nuit suffit,
Wonderful!
Laura gaia
Date of Review: August, 2017
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed in the temple just one night but the atmosphere was so relaxing. Just 10 minutes by bus by cableway, the temple is very close to the mystical path to Okunoin Temple, very suggestive. The staff speak just a bit of english but is very kind and helpful. The food is great. An amazing experience, definitely recommended!
The ultimate Koyasan Ryokan
Carl
Date of Review: August, 2017
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: U.S.
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We had an amazing journey around Japan, but this was the zenith. First the location, right next to the cemetery. I went there 4:45-6:00 am, incredible. At 6:00 am you spend 45 minutes sitting with the monks who are chanting. The dinner was 8 courses of vegetarian delights. The breakfast was also varied and appealing. This place was a little cheaper than others, but second to none.
Real peace!
Elisabetta
Date of Review: August, 2017
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
If you come to Koyasan, shukubo hospitality is an experience to do! The structure is very beautiful, essential and sober, all on tatami, immersed in a magic silence where you only hear the noise of flowing water. The room is very spacious, with two large and comfortable futons for sleeping, a small tea area under the window and a small bathroom (only with sink). The toilets are in common, as well as the Japanese bath (with a beautiful all-wood tub !!!) that is used in turn. One bathroom is only for ladies and one for gentlemen. The cleanliness is impeccable. Dinner and breakfast are in a kaiseki austere style, with particular flavors and consistencies, which may not please. The moment of morning prayer is very impressive.
A must in Japan!
Maria
Date of Review: August, 2017
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I can't say enough great things about Shojoshin-in! My husband and I stayed there for a night and fell in love with the atmosphere, the stillness, the food, and the overall experience. With regards to the food, it was easily one of the best meals we had during our time in Japan. If you like vegetables, you will love their dinner! The cemetery next to the temple was also an amazing walk through history. We highly recommend it and know you will have as great a time as we did.
Great shukubo experience; good location
Swathi
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: New Zealand
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The Shukubo was beautiful. It was a fairly large temple complex. We went exploring and found a Japanese garden, several rooms with Tatami mats some of which had printed screens etc. and the main temple area of course. The host (who probably wasn't a monk) spoke good English and was very friendly and helpful. The rooms were great and very comfortable. The food- was varied and interesting. Dinner was a little too sweet for my taste; breakfast was much better- and my favourite of the two. It would have been great if someone had come along and explained what the dishes were and what the philosophy of the Shojin ryori was. One of the larger groups had a guide who explained everything and we overheard some, and that sounded like a great value add. The location is great- right next to the Okunoin (cemetery). Our dusk walk was the highlight of our trip to Japan. Suggest you take a walk in there by yourself. We saw a couple of groups of 10 people or more, and really- the magic is lost in that crowd.
Unique expérience
Chloe
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Wonderful experience, the owners are very nice. We stayed with two child of 5 and 10 years old. The diner was great, we recommend !
Amazing experience!
Lauren
Date of Review: July, 2017
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We loved staying at Shojoshin-in in Koyasan. The room was lovely and the food (both dinner and breakfast) was incredible. We enjoyed using the bath house as well. The Buddhist ceremony in the morning was a very memorable and unique experience. The Okunoin cemetery is very closeby and we enjoyed exploring it both in the evening and in the morning. Our stay at Shojoshin-in was definitely one of our favourite experiences of our trip to Japan!
A LITTLE BIT EXPENSIVE
Liliana
Date of Review: June, 2017
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: México
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The room was very good and has all the things we need to be comfortable, however I think the price is a little bit hig for the average room in Japan. Everything was good and the food was a different experience for us.
Fantastic Experience
Kirsty
Date of Review: June, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We had one night in the private Hanare residence, and one night in the main temple. Both were fabulous. The food was very delicious, and completely different from anything we've ever tried before. The morning prayers were a great experience to witness and very spiritual. Would highly recommend using the baths, very relaxing! The booking process via www.japaneseguesthouses.com was very easy especially considering the time difference.
THE highlight of our stay in Japan
Emily
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This was definitely the best part of our trip to Japan. The Shojoshin-in is a beautiful temple located right next to the start of the mystical path to the Okunoin Temple (walk through a beautiful the pine forest/cemetery) and within walking distance to all the other temples to visit. Our experience there was really authentic, from the traditional room overlooking the traditional Japanese garden, to the really large onsen, to the exquisitely decorated rooms we had our delicious meals in (all the panels were beautifully painted) and finally the morning Buddhist prayer with the monks that live there. I would definitely go back to this temple if I am lucky enough to come back to Japan.
Peaceful and educational temple experience
Carol
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed here for one night and greatly appreciated the quiet, relaxed atmosphere. The location is excellent, very close a bus stop and the Okunoin cemetery. Our room had a lovely view of the gardens and there were tea and cookies waiting for us. Breakfast and dinner were excellent, and I found them plenty filling even though they were vegetarian. The shared bathroom was wonderful. The tub was huge and very relaxing. The service was early in the morning and was an amazing experience, but it was very long. Maybe if you were able to understand what was being said it would have not dragged on so much. The only negative thing I have to say is that the man who checked us in and directed us to our rooms came across as pushy and impatient. The monks themselves were very gracious and welcoming.
More of a tourist trap than expected, very minimal Buddhist experience
Paz
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 3
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 4
I have no complaints regarding the stay and the Temple other than the way it was advertised. We felt we would be staying in a much more rural environment among Buddhists monks in their temple. The place is definitely remote, but the village area still has the same tourist shops for souvenirs, the Temple itself was selling souvenirs in their check-in area, and the whole experience seemed more of a show being put on for tourists than an authentic experience. The ability to experience the lives of the monks was also extremely limited. You would barely see anyone throughout the day except when they'd bring the meals, or the morning prayer which again felt like it was just a show put on for the tourists. The accommodations themselves were great. The room was large and clean, check-in was very easy, the food was great. Besides the morning prayer tourist show, you wouldn't even know you were at a Buddhist Temple. It was basically like staying at a Ryokan very high up in the mountains, which is great, but not what we felt was advertised.
still amazing
John paul
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
You really don't need to read another great review. Suffice it to say that as of May 2017 this is still an extraordinary experience. I plan to bring others. The magic that was added to my experience was arriving in heavy cloud you could only see about 50 meters. Being in the clouds and the sacred energy of the place was very special.
Excellent experience
Robert
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
Friendly ryokan style stay. Meals were very good. Enjoyed the morning chant. Liked then layout of the temple and accommodation. Sadly missed the guided tour of the cemetery because of the rain.
Best stay in Japan. Perfect value for money
Raquel
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Amazing place, a great surprise. When I booked I thought it was quite expensive but after the night we spent there I can assure that it's absolutely worthy. Amazing food, great location and beautiful room. Just besides the cemetery, having a walk at night to visit the shrine is an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended.
Wonderful
Tiziana
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My husband and me we loved our stay at Shojoshin-in, full of peace and quiet. The temple and surrounding area was absolutely gorgeous and the staff was very nice. The participation at the morning services was very suggestive, it was an experience we will never forget. The vegetarian meal was very appetizing and the room was very confortable and beautiful. We recommend this temple.
Beautiful and unforgettable!
Daniel
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
During my 2 week trip in japan, shojoshin in was the highlight. If you are looking for a busy town with lots to do, I wouldn't recommend, but if you are looking for a peaceful spot to relax and learn more about how traditional Japanese people live, this will be on your top list. I have been travelling a lot but I have never seen a place that is so cultural and beautiful like this. The traditional room and little old onsen makes you feel like you were in japan hundred years ago. Dinner and breakfast were the most delicious vegetarian food I have ever had in my life (serious) and the morning service was so calm and peaceful. To sum up I don't have anything that I don't like about it, I would have rated 6 star if I could. Thank you for letting us stay, it was truely wonderful and I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Beautiful and Unique
Johannes
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Austria
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We planned a one-night stay at Shojoshin-in for the second-to-last day of our 2 weeks holiday - and it was totally worth it! We had some troubles getting there, as the cable car (last section of the route to Mt Koya) was out of service that day. Fortunately, it took us only 1 hour longer than originally planned as they quickly organized a bus-service up the mountain. The Ryokan was splendid - the staff was friendly, the room was really big, and the provided dinner and breakfast was just mind-blowing. I would recommend a trip to Mt. Koya - and especially to Shojoshin-in to everyone travelling to Japan.
Beautiful and Unique
Johannes
Date of Review: May, 2017
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Austria
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We planned a one-night stay at Shojoshin-in for the second-to-last day of our 2 weeks holiday - and it was totally worth it! We had some troubles getting there, as the cable car (last section of the route to Mt Koya) was out of service that day. Fortunately, it took us only 1 hour longer than originally planned as they quickly organized a bus-service up the mountain. The Ryokan was splendid - the staff was friendly, the room was really big, and the provided dinner and breakfast was just mind-blowing. I would recommend a trip to Mt. Koya - and especially to Shojoshin-in to everyone travelling to Japan.
Definitely the best part of our Japan trip
somdatta
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The food was exceptionally good, ambience was amazing both in terms of the temple lodge as well as the quaint little town of Koyasan. it was very easy to get there and the temple staff were very helpful and cheerful. The town has a very efficient transportation so easy to get around. The town as well as the lodge is very safe and secure, very neat and has basically every base amenity one can think of. A must experience for all visitors.
Beautiful even if not exactly spiritual
Dagmar
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Japan
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Monastery is absolutely gorgeous and so is all of Mt Koya. Food was delicious and for accommodation highly recommend the Hanare for privacy and comfort. However, you're not exactly alone amongst pilgrims, there's a significant amount of alternative tourism, which is understandable even if not entirely expected.
Wonderful end to our holiday
Catherine
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
We stayed here the last night of a two week holiday. Very calm, beautiful place. There is limited interaction with the monks and other guests which is fine, after all this is a monastery not a hotel. What interaction there is was friendly. The food - vegetarian and, having tasted many traditional ryokan dinners over our holiday, this was the best meal we had by far. Varied, tasty, absolutely delicious. The room was a typical ryokan style, as always I needed an extra mat as I find them quite hard but thats just me. You can "lock" yourself in at night but can't lock the room when you go out - there is a safe though. Perfect spot as the last monastery before the cemetary walk which was wonderful. The 600-1000 year old cedar trees with all the shrines and statues was so peaceful and wonderful. If you're expecting a full zen buddist retreat think again - its not that. Its a wonderful, peaceful spot to spend a very memorable time.
Peaceful and beautiful
Aurora
Date of Review: April, 2017
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Belgium
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The temple and rooms were stunning and perfectly clean, the people were extremely friendly and helpful. The location is great, very close to the cemetery where we walked and were able to enjoy the tombstones and the calmness. I would have liked to stay more than one night. The trip towards Mt Koya was also lovely. One of the best parts of our trip to Japan.
Ryokan right next to the cemetery
Elise
Date of Review: April, 2017
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This Ryokan was located right next to the entrance of the cemetery. The rooms were big en clean. There is WIFI, TV and a heater. The beds were softer than I expected. The meals were large and tasty. I really enjoyed my stay here on this beautiful mountain. Staff was very friendly.
Great stay and wonderful host!
Kristen
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was quite the trek up to Mt.Koya, but it was so worth it! Even though it rained during our 2-day stay, we still enjoyed it very much. The meals were delicious, and the morning prayers were interesting to see. I loved our host, as well! He was so friendly and treated us like family. It's also right by the start of the Okonuin path, which was a great trek (the light drizzling added to the mystical feeling). Would definitely recommend!
A Wonderful Experience
Date of Review: March, 2017
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Indonesia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
At first, I was worried staying in a Ryokan with a Buddhist-Temple style. But I was wrong! In Shojoshin-in, the foods itself were delicious. If my girlfriend can cook as good as these monks, I might consider myself become a vegetarian. The dinner was great, however if you are that person who needs to eat meat, the food here might be problem. But with all the dishes that they served me, in the end, I was extremely full. Don't worry about language barrier. Some monks speaks English very well. This definitely was a surprise for me. Although some other monks speaks a little English, they will try their best to communicate and explain it to you. As for the location, I think this might be the best place since it's so close to Okunoin's cemetery with over 200,000 tombstones that connects to the Okunoin Temple. In the evening, if you are lucky, you can do a night tour around the Okunion cemetary for a Fee with a guide who can speak English. However, I was unlucky because it was raining. They don't have the tour when it rains. Ultimately, from the bath, bedroom, atmosphere and morning prayer, this was definitely a one great experience!
Excellent food, accomodations, and staff
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I stayed at Shojoshin-in for one night in early September with my husband. It was a foggy, rainy day, but we managed to explore the cemetery a bit. The temple is literally right next door to it. Our room was incredibly spacious, and our shoji screens opened out onto a beautiful courtyard and the mountain side. Perfect for meditative thought. I spent the evening in the darkness and silence of the temple, staring at the sky beyond my little balcony. Our dinner was the best meal we had in two weeks in Japan. A dozen little dishes, each different and immaculately prepared with flavors and textures I had never had before. I ate a small cup of beans, one bean at a time, and every single one was plump, perfect, and sweet. They tempura'd (fried) a single leaf. A leaf! The tofu was so clean and silky it was like eating fish. It was exquisite. I enjoyed breakfast as well, though it was less lavish. We ate in a private dining room with painted screens. You simply could not ask for a more atmospheric location to experience traditional Japan. We were the only guests that night and therefore the only guests to witness the morning ritual. I enjoyed it. To my surprise, the monks said we could take photos of their inner temple. This brings me to my next point: the staff was incredibly gracious and accommodating. I was soaking wet and accidentally stood on the temple in my shoes, a no-no. They were not upset. Then there was the small matter of me losing my passport. This was incredibly stressful, and the staff only spoke limited English, but they tried their best, they connected me with someone who could translate, and we found my passport a few hours later in the Koyasan bus station. Bless these people, or I would have had to hightail it back to the US Embassy in Osaka. I cannot emphasize how kind and helpful they were. There is no hospitality like Japanese hospitality. Shojoshin-in was everything I hoped for and more. Well-worth the trip up a mountain.
Great Shukubo near Okunoin
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This Shukubo (temple accommodations) is amazing. My room faced their inner Japanese garden and was perfect for relaxing. The food was very good and one of my favorite places to eat in Japan. The morning services were a bit cold but still worth getting up for to see. Great experience.
Just Amazing
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This was a highlight of our amazing trip to Japan. The monks were so welcoming and even though we were expecting fairly ascetic facilities, we were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed into a lovely room with a view to the frozen lake and facilities for our own tea ceremony overlooking the frozen lake. Everything here was just beautiful, from the wonderful room, to the AMAZING dinner, to the beautiful morning service. The dinner was served to us in a private tatami mat and sliding screen room and just took my breath away. Highly recommended!
highly reccomended
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Possibly the highlight of my month in Japan. Over just one night this experience continually exceeded my expectations. A very authentic, serene place to visit. So quiet, so much space to relax in our room, and amazing building and grounds to wander. During our stay there was an incredible thunderstorm. The following day was sunshine. Both were amazing. Koyasan in flood is something to behold. The food was possibly the best I've ever eaten. I am a vegetarian, but I'm confident anyone would agree. Do it. And don't forget to visit the bath house. And get a room overlooking the garden if you can. And of course get up early to witness the morning ritual at the shrine. I will surely return to Shojoshin-in someday.
Amazing experience
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed one night in October in this ryokan. It's easy to find: its the closest to the graveyard. We were almost alone in the temple. It was very peacefull. Experience monk vegetarian food was great, close to the inside garden in a tatami room. Morning monk prayer was a very original experience. We recommand greatly this ryokan.
Really nice stay
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I stayed there for one night. Only 2 downsides: foreigners eat in the same room (but at separate tables; no locals), and there is not much contact with the monks. The building is comfortable, it feel like a ancient ryokan (and not that much like a temple). Spending the night in a old wooden house is great. I found the (vegetarian) food fantastic (diner and breakfast). And now I know: vegetarian food can be very tasty! Such unknown and delicious taste. It is next to the cemetery, so you can go for a walk after diner (different atmosphere than during the day). Morning monk prayer was a nice experience. It think than spending the night at KÅya-san is better than returning at ÅŒsaka the same day.
Best stay in Japan
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My husband and I stayed here one night during our tour for a few weeks in Japan, and it was by far the most amazing place to stay! It will always be in our memories as the best night in Japan, thank you so much for such a wonderful experience and accommodation in stunning Mt Koya. Highly recommended to everyone.
gorgeous place
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
A beautiful, well-situated monastery with delicious food. Attending the morning prayer service was a highlight. Well-appointed room with space heater (much appreciated in November snow storm!). A tiny bit confusing to figure out when and where to go for meals since no one speaks any English, but there was a helpful cheat sheet in the room explaining the basics. Ideally situated for touring the sights of Mt Koya. I real highlight of my trip to Japan - I enthusiastically recommend!
Wonderful experience
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Wales
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was very cold on Koyasan in February but not in Shojosho-in. There were room heaters everywhere they were needed and, in addition, in my room, which overlooked a snow covered garden, I was provided with two duvets, extra blankets and a hot water bottle in my bed, and another heater under the table. Don't worry about being cold if you are planning a winter visit! Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the food was the best I had during the month I spent in Japan. Staying in a temple and attending the morning ceremony was a wonderful experience. This was my only temple stay so I can't compare it with others but would highly recommend the experience to others.
I can't recommend it enough!
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I am a budget traveller and wouldn't normally pay this kind of money for accommodation but I decided to pay more than I would normally to stay in Shojoshin-in as the reviews were so good. This is not accommodation it's an amazing experience. As it goes it has to be up in my best ever to stay here and to visit Koyasan. The amazing temples and cemetery. It had been snowing and it was just magical. The food was superb, if only I could get a meal like that in the UK. Just as the other reviewers have said, staying in the temple was a 5 star experience in all areas. Don't have any doubts about staying here, it's amazing, every aspect of our stay was devine. Thank you for the wonderful memories I'll always have.
Atmosphere!
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Shojoshin-in was a fascinating experience. Located conveniently close to the massive Okunoin cemetery complex, and augmented by beautiful grounds, the temple was a fabulous place to visit. Shortly after our arrival it started snowing, and yet in our rooms and the dining area we were comfortably warm. The vegetarian cuisine was exquisite, I cannot praise the ginger soup highly enough. The Buddhist ceremony we observed in the morning was fascinating, and proved a contrast to some of the other strands of Buddhism we came across whilst travelling. If you have the inclination to visit Koya-san, I cannot recommend Shojoshin-in highly enough.
Amazing experience
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Great experience! The temple is in a great area, right next to the famous cemetery and a very short walk into the main part of town. The place was very nice, extremely clean, and the rooms were amazing. They were huge, beautiful, typical Japanese style, overlooking the mountains. It was winter so I was worried about being cold but there were heaters in are room that were great, and even though we slept on the floor it was very comfortable. The meals were amazing, very different types of flavours, all vegetarian, and we got to eat in our own private dining room. Great place, great experience!
One of the best experience of my whole life!
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I was a solo traveler, and getting this kind of experience was very awesome! Seeing how monks get to live, it's something you don't get to see often! The atmosphere was great, it felt like you were back hundreds of years in the past, except with a few modernized things (like a heater and light). The food was really awesome; I never thought that vegan food could be so tasty! The staff was great, they could speak enough english to explain everything, and they were all friendly too. The location is great too, all of Koyasan looks really great! The room was really big and comfortable; it felt really nice! This experience was one of the best in my whole life and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!
Peaceful and Beautiful
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at the Shojoshin-in was a highlight of our Japan trip! We opted to pay extra and get a private guest house and loved the privacy. It was a very cold night and we were worried the paper walls would let in the cold, but the provided heaters kept the house very warm and toasty. Being an older couple, we were worried about sleeping on the floor mats, but they were comfortable and heavy comforters were provided to keep us warm. Dinner was served in a private dining room and the food was delicious. We did not have any contact with the monks, except for the morning prayer service. Would have liked to be able to talk to them and ask questions. The train and cable car ride up to Mt. Koya is a highlight as the scenery is beautiful. Can't recommend highly enough, the experience is worth the cost.
A taste of traditional Japan
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojoshin-in was fantastic! It was, by far, my favorite place that I stayed during my two week trip to Japan. The temple was peaceful, quiet, and private (except for the traditional bath!) Going to the morning prayer ceremony was an amazing, and unique experience, and the traditional dinner was delicious. I thought it was also a great value for the money. The atmosphere in the rooms and the temple overall was fantastic - very traditional, with little pleasant surprises like hot water bottles warming up our beds when we came back from dinner. I would love to come back here again!
Amazing experience
Month of Visit: March
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Staying at the temple was a great experience. The entire town is welcoming and the food at Shojoshi-in was excellent. They were extremely welcoming and the rooms were amazing. It was a great place to relax and stay were such a rich history was forged.
Love the temple stay
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
From Namba, we caught a train to station at foot of Mt Koya. Then take cable car to hill and bus to the temple. We bought the two day pass. We arrived late Saturday and had a brief walk in Okunoin which is located next to the temple. You can see the map of Okunoin before the entrance. The room was pleasantly big with bathrobes and towels provided. I took bath in a community bathroom. Fortunately, there was no one and I was happy because I am not used to communal bath. I admit I was a bit loss as where to put my clothes etc. The toilets were located close to the the rooms. Toilets were heated so that was comfortable. Very clean everywhere. Dinner and breakfast were provided. We loved our vegetarian dinner served in traditional Japanese style. We wanted to complete our tour of the shrines and temples on Sunday but it snowed on Sunday and we were not prepared for it so the tour was abandoned and we left early. We attended the morning prayers and were served breakfast. We intend to return some day since we did not complete our tour. The temple stay is worth it. I strongly recommend it.
beautiful
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: the Netherland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We arrived after an interesting train ride, the last past was the cable car. A very nice experience. Next was the short bus ride to the temple. And one minute walk to the temple. The bus stop in front. The temple is very quite relaxing, and peaceful. For the people who only stay for one night, leave you luggage at the train station in a locker and just carry a small bag to the temple. After the monk showed us our room. We went up for a walk outside, and it was so beautiful. Back in the temple we had a very nice dinner. Very peaceful. after a good sleep, we wake up early in the morning for taking part of the ceremony. What a nice experience.
An Incredible Place
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed here for 2 nights and it was an amazing experience. Being part of a working Buddhist Temple is something I will never forget - the morning services which we felt privileged to watch were mesmerizing. The temple is located right next to the Okunoin Graveyard (for us the highlight of Koyasan) at one end of the main street of the village and has a bus stop in front of it for access from the cable-car = perfect! The place is very clean, with spacious rooms which have a lovely view over the small garden. We had a couple of very good nights sleep on the futons (despite being worried beforehand that they might be uncomfortable) and our room had 2 heaters in it, one of which was an under-table heater, which kept us lovely and warm when the weather turned cold. The shared onsen was also very good indeed. The monks were all very friendly and welcoming and spoke fairly good English. The food was a real culinary adventure, most of which was very tasty indeed, the Miso Soup in particular was the best we had in Japan (and in fact the best I have EVER had) and I love Miso Soup! The main draw here, excepting the location, the food, and the friendly monks, is being part of a working Buddhist Temple and that is an extraordinary experience.
Silence
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 3
Room Rating - 3
Great stay at the temple, even if it was a bit cold (snow all around: beautiful !). Quite expensive in comparison to our other nights spent in Japan but the visit of the cimetery is a must !
shojoshin stay
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: usa
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
great temple lodging, very clean, spacious, food was excellent, staff was kind, great location to okunoin. Would highly recommend
What an experience!
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We arrived late in the afternoon, just in time for dinner, and left in the morning after breakfast. I would recommend staying one more night to experience the beautiful atmosphere of the place during the day, perfect for meditative thoughts. The visit of the cimetery just next door was incredible. Vegetarian meals served at dinner and for breakfast were deliciuos! Highly recommended!
Great stay
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Wonderful temple stay, much enjoyed. We didn't expect much comfort given it was a temple, but we got pretty much everything that we got at other ryokans (towels, toothbrush, yakuta/robes, room heater, etc.) The temple is easy to get to, very close to a bus stop. The staff were helpful and spoke English. Place was very quiet, clean, and provided great vegan food.
Beautiful Sakura Stay
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Malaysia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I arrived slightly later than the supposed check-in (at 6.30pm!) and the town was already pretty quiet as I guess everyone was inside having their dinner. However, I was greeted very warmly at the back entrance by one of the monks who so graciously ushered me to the entrance for check-in. Once he showed me to my room and around the temple, I was shown to the dining room where my dinner was already waiting for me (and they promptly served me the warm dishes). The dinner (as per all the other reviews) was absolutely delicious! I arrived at Koyasan at the tail-end of Sakura season where there was hardly any blooming sakura trees left in Kyoto or Osaka however, there were plenty still blooming in Koyasan especially in Shojoshinin's very own courtyard! It was so peaceful watching and enjoying the beautiful sakura without the congestion of others. Shojoshinin is truly a beauty. Very highly recommended. The monks were extremely friendly. Koyasan is a beautiful place.
A beautiful sakura stay
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Malaysia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I arrived slightly later than the supposed check-in --- at 6.30pm! The town was already pretty quiet (I guess everyone was already having their dinner) especially at the train and bus station however the bus driver was very friendly and informed us when we arrived at the bus stop near the temple. I was greeted at the courtyard with the most beautiful sakura tree - in full bloom!! A monk very warmly greeted me at the back entrance who graciously ushered me to the front entrance for check-in. Once the monk carried my bagpack (he insisted!) and showed me to my room, he proceeded to show me around the temple and took me to the dining room for dinner where my food was promptly served - still warm (even though I was late!). There were still many guests finishing up. Like all previous reviews, the dishes were absolutely delicious. I arrived in Koyasan on 1st May where there's no more sakura-blooming trees left in Kyoto or Osaka however probably due to the colder weather, there were plenty of blooming sakuras in Koyasan at this time, and the most beautiful tree was found only in Shojoshinin's courtyard. Everything about Koyasan was beautiful and peaceful. The stay was just simply too short and I enjoyed having hot green tea in the room, overlooking the garden while wearing the yukata. :) I'm glad I made the decision to visit Koyasan.
A great stay
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Argentina
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 4
We found this temple excellent, the garden and surroundings are amazing and the ryokan we had was very cozy and well-kept. The meals were very special as we got to taste the best shojin ryori we'd ever tasted!
Great Place
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Great atmosphere and staff. Some English is spoken and was more then enough to get by. The meals were great and the morning service was a good experience. Easy to get to. Just look at google street view and you can see the entrance. A huge hi-light for our 3 week trip.
the best
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: indonesia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
we were stayed on may at this ryokan, we are a group of 9, and this was our second visit to this ryokan. the atmosphere so relaxing and calm, very nice place to stay, the food - especially the dinner - was really delicious even though only vegetables were served. when we visit on may, the wheather was so nice, not so cold, compare to two years ago when we were here, there were storm and very cold. Okunoin is worth to visit, just "next door" from this ryokan. the only minus thing was the bathroom, when we stayed 2 years ago, the bathroom was huge , to my surprise when i saw the bathroom now was very small as well as the hottub. this place is realy highly recommended.
Gorgeous setting
Month of Visit: April
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I enjoyed my one night at Shojoshin-in. My room was comfortable (and included a heater and a very strong free wi-fi hotspot!) and the staff were friendly. The monastery is every bit as gorgeous as the photos will have you believe. The surrounding area of Koya-san is also beautiful, including the enormous cemetery right next door to Shojoshin-in. The dinner and breakfast were tasty and meticulously prepared, and the wooden onsen was nice too. I also very much enjoyed witnessing the Buddhist prayer ceremony in the morning. My one criticism is that, at least on the night of my stay, there seemed to be some merry-making and alcohol-drinking going on in the courtyard that made the experience much less peaceful than I had expected. I couldn't be sure if those responsible were guests, or a mixture of guests and staff. Either way I was puzzled by this incident. It might have been due to some festival that I wasn't aware of; even still, it took me by surprise and felt very incongruent to the otherwise Zen atmosphere of the place. For this reason I've given less than perfect scores in some categories. Despite that, I would still highly recommend Shojoshin-in.
Peaceful
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Staying at Shojoshin-in was one of the highlights of our recent Japan trip. The temple itself is beautiful as is the surrounding area. Travelling around Japan as a vegetarian and with my friend who is a vegan we were most excited about the traditional Buddhist vegan meal and that didn't disappoint. It was one of the best if not THE best meal of our lives! I can't recommend staying at this temple enough.
Shojoshin-in was a solid set of 5 stars
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
"I stayed for two nights in May 2014 from Canada. Monks were very gracious and intentional, whether it was at morning prayers, serving meals, sweeping the courtyard or answering guests queries despite language barrier. Food was exquisitely presented - though the large room divided with small bamboo screens was a bit austere for a solo traveller. The guest rooms had everything - prayer corner, tea table overlooking garden, and sink. Rice paper doors could be slid to divide space, if needed, for privacy. I am very glad I stayed - it was a great experience. I was very pleased booking with Japanese Guest Houses, clear and attention to particulars. Thank you"
We loved everything
Month of Visit: May
Country Of Reviewer: Switzerland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed for one night and loved truly everything: had booked the cottage and enjoyed a very spacious experience with private bath and vie into the garden. Very peaceful. Location is great for visiting the path with the graves in the evening, or early morning when the light is best. Food was delicious and served in a private room with a view into the garden. Averything super clean. Very fiendly staff and monks. Not inexpencive, but worth it.
A One of a Kind Experience.
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koyasan is certainly a magical little town and the time we spent at Shojoshin-in was a relaxing and beautiful experience. The monks and staff were very hospitable and welcoming. The room was large and overlooked a garden. We were on the upper floor and so had a lot of privacy. Not having a lock on the door was not a concern at all. The meals are five star and not bland or banal as one might think for buddhist vegetarian cuisine. The temple is just next to the cemetery which was very convenient for a post-dinner evening stroll through it.. I highly recommend visiting the mountain and stayng at the temple.
Great experience
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Romania
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 1
I had a great experience :). I really loved the place. Quite, peaceful, with a beautiful tatami room. The staff was very nice and it was one of the best experince I had in Japan :).
Great experience
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Romania
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 1
I had a great experience :). I really loved the place. Quite, peaceful, with a beautiful tatami room. The staff was very nice and it was one of the best experince I had in Japan :).
Italiani a Koyasan
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Siamo stati a Koyasan con un gruppo di Avventure nel Mondo. Provenienti dal grande monastero imperiale di Ise, siamo arrivati a Koyasan via Osaka in un pomeriggio di giugno fresco e piovoso. Il viaggio con il treno che da Osaka risale la valle sino alla cabinovia e poi il viaggio quasi in verticale con la cabinovia e quindi il bus, Ã¨ stato giÃ da sÃ© una piccola avventura. Proprio perciÃ² abbiamo tanto piÃ¹ apprezzato il breve soggiorno di due giorni. Il monte di Koyasan Ã¨ disseminato di templi e monasteri, e certamente non Ã¨ una meta sconosciuta ai giapponesi, ma anche ai turisti di tutto il mondo, poichÃ© abbiamo soggiornato al monastero con europei, americani e australiani. Il monastero in particolare si trova a pochi passi dal grande cimitero del sito buddista ed Ã¨ stato recentemente rinnovato negli ambienti per il pubblico. Avevamo infatti stanze tradizionali giapponesi (tatami) molto comode, per due persone, con tanto di stufetta e bollitore per il the, ma soprattutto l'onsen interno ci Ã¨ piaciuto. Abbiamo gustato una spettacolare cena e una colazione altrettanto deliziosa e bellissima da vedere, decorativa e variegata. Il monaco superiore, che la mattina ha tenuto la funzione, parla inglese ed Ã¨ un grande amante di Gigliola Cinguetti (davvero!). Purtroppo il soggiorno Ã¨ stato troppo breve, ma l'esperienza durerÃ per sempre, nei ricordi. Abbiamo potuto lasciare i nostri bagagli nell'ufficio del monastero il giorno della partenza, sino al primo pomeriggio, per poter visitare il sito con maggiore comoditÃ .
Oasis of tranquility
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Usa
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This temple visit was the highlight of our three week tour of Japan. The room was quiet and spacious. The vegetarian cuisine was excellent. The kids meal included meat and eggs! The temple has a beautiful garden and the monks were very kind. The morning prayer was very interesting. We did both a dusk and nighttime walk through okuin, the cemetery. It was great to step out of the temple and walk directly into the cool graveyard. Dusk less crowded and some how more atmospheric than night. Great for energetic kids too.
Oasis of tranquility
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Usa
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This temple visit was the highlight of our three week tour of Japan. The room was quiet and spacious. The vegetarian cuisine was excellent. The kids meal included meat and eggs! The temple has a beautiful garden and the monks were very kind. The morning prayer was very interesting. We did both a dusk and nighttime walk through okuin, the cemetery. It was great to step out of the temple and walk directly into the cool graveyard. Dusk less crowded and some how more atmospheric than night. Great for energetic kids too.
Amazing experience!
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 2
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I had a great time here. First of all everyone should know that here you get a traditional Ryokan experience (i.e. sleeping on the floor with a small cushion - this one was a thicker cushion than I had usually seen though!, and lunch / dinner served as a set menu, usually both Japanese. That means to expect fish, pickled vegetables, tofu and rice for breakfast). I was traveling alone for the first time and the first time in Japan and felt totally safe. You are staying at a temple and while they say the morning prayers are mandatory, they didn't seem to actually be. I stayed 3 nights and went to prayers 2 out of the 3 mornings. I was honestly tired of the food - it was very simple, a lot of tofu and pickled vegetables. I think the quality doesn't truly justify the cost even if it is a temple that comes with modest service. I was fine with how simple the food was but felt the price should have matched it a little bit better, considering that i spent the same when I went further south to Kumano Kodo and had 5star restaurant food for the same price. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though because another American woman I met staying there loved the food. So to each his own but I didn't feel the value was there for the quality and price. Regardless of the food I had a great authentic experience, meeting so many monks who were very kind of glad to help me. The town itself is cute with a bunch of restaurants and shops. This temple is right next to the cemetery which is truly amazing, especially if you are daring enough to go at night!
Amazing!!!!!
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We are in love with Koya-san, and the temple is amazing. Staff is super helpfull. And the location is perfect, just around the corner of the highlight of koya-san (the graveyard) Food was really nice, alot of things we never tried before!! And the morning prayer was an amazing experience as well. Recommended to everyone who want to have a piecefull day.
Very nice stay
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Switzerland
Atmosphere Rating - 3
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 3
Overall our stay (the whole family..4 people) was nice. A few things could be improved: 1. The toilets/bathroom were not very clean which came as a surprise given the price paid for a room! 2. The meals were nice but certainly not above an average meal in Japan.. we had much better meals in other places. 3. Regarding the morning prayer.. a few more chairs would be much appreciated especially if your are above 65 years old! If you are planning to book a room in that place.. you have to know that you are actually booking a little house with at least 2 rooms.
Beautiful monastery
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Canada/Quebec
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Very nice place to stay if you want some peace. I still hear the monks singing prayers in my head...I loved the experience. We were a family a 4. It is also very close to the graveyeard which is a place that feels enchanted. By the way there is no AC in the room which would have been dramatic in Tokyo but up in the mountains there is always a nice breeze...temperature was perfect, nice break from the 45 degrees!!!
Koyasan
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We choose Shojoshin-in to be our night before last during our 14 day stay in Japan. This stay was a one to remember. Very unique, different, in a quiet atmosphere. Excellent staff and facilities, interesting selection of vegetarian Japanese food â€“ very much to my liking but not so much to my wife's. Morning service was a bit long â€“ and I wish there was some sort of information or explanations regarding the traditional prays and understanding what are they praying forâ€¦
Very interesting ... but outrageously expensive
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: United States
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 1
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed in a huge room (actually several rooms, separated by sliding partitions) with en suite toilet, bath and shower. It was very comfortable. The temple itself is elegant, beautifully maintained and quiet. The location, next to the entrance to the cemetery, is a major advantage. The monks were very accommodating (though most of our communication was by sign language). The morning prayer ceremony was really very interesting, but we were disappointed that only three monks participated; in fact, these were the only three monks we saw during our entire two-day stay. Our greatest disappointment, however, was the cost: US$315 per night, more than we spent for a 5-star hotel in Osaka -- in fact, more than we spent on any other accommodation during our three weeks in Japan. Granted, this included an edible dinner and a forgettable breakfast (which we skipped the second morning). We understand and appreciate that the temple sustains itself in large part on the proceeds from tourism, but even in expensive Japan, this is a budget-busting sum. Was the experience of visiting Koyasan memorable? Yes. Was it worth this amount of money? Absolutely not.
Great Experience - lovely environment and atmosphere
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
We stayed for one night at the end of July. We had a lovely room facing the inner courtyard. Lovely temple with a serene atmosphere throughout. Very friendly staff who looked after us well throughout our time there. The evening meal and breakfast were served in a big room separated by small low screens between guests. Most guests were non-Japanese. We had a fantastic walk through Okunoin Graveyard after our evening meal - this is an amazing place to walk through as the light disappeared and the path became lit by lanterns. A truly wonderful experience. In the. Owning a few guests rose early for the morning service, this was again a fantastic experience and a not to be forgotten event of our time in Japan.
Great place and atmosphere
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: Spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Everything was perfect in our stay during one night in July. The atmosphere was great, quietness, relax after a long trip in the rest of Japan, just what we needed. Our room faced the inner garden and that was also great in terms of relaxation. Then the experience of being in a temple itself worth the visit.
Highlight of our Trip
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
This was an amazing experience. I had Koya-san, or Mount Koya, recommended to me by friends who said it was the best part of their holiday. And were they right! I looked at other accommodations, which all looked equally wonderful, but my partner and I were blown away by Shojoshin-in. You just hop off the bus into the beautiful front rock garden and though they spoke little English, all of the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Our room had a wonderful view of the rest of the mountain and the side garden with pond. The room had traditional tatami mats and futons which were quite comfy! Also all of our own facilities for traditional tea. Dinner/breakfast was delicious and you were able to try bits of everything! Morning service, though a bit chilly was mesmerising. Definitely would recommend.
Our best experience in Japan
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
If you expect to receive a cold welcome in a tense atmosphere when you sleep in a temple, that's definitely not the case at Shojoshin-in. A very nice and cheerful monk showed us the facilities and our room, and we instantly felt at home. The room was spacious, with a splendid view, efficient air conditioning, and good tea. Toilets are in common areas, but they are super clean, and high tech. The common hot bath is very nice. The food was absolutely delightful, so much variety and taste (and even quantity !), and also a pleasure to the eyes - we expected something much more simple, but we received one of our best culinary experience in our 2 week trip in Japan. All the monks we met were very friendly. The only drawback was that we did not received much information on the morning ceremony in English, and so we were just lost (we enjoyed the vocal performance however) but I guess that if we had asked details, we would have been told them. A five star experience, hands down.
Peace and tranquillity
Month of Visit: July
Country Of Reviewer: New Zealand
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Certainly a unique experience - the atmosphere, the beautifully prepared food, the tended landscaping, the kindness and warmth of the staff, the comfortable, clean and convenient facilities. My wife and I are in our sixties, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Modern, separate accommodation and bathroom, TV, room safe, hot flush toilet, soft warm bedding. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy.
Wonderful, wonderful place
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our room was beautiful and comfortable. The food was some of the best I've ever had (though I *am* a vegan ;) ). The temple itself is gorgeous. But what stood out above everything else was the kindness of the monks. While we were there, my mother injured her foot badly and ultimately had to go to the hospital. Though we'd checked out already, the monks at shojoshin-in allowed us to stay in the working part of the temple while we figured out what to do, brought a cold pack, and called a cab for us. This is after we'd arrived late the night before because of a breakdown on the Nankai Koya line. We are both very grateful, and we'll never forget our time at Shojoshin-in. I generally don't give fives across the board, because I feel like the highest rating is something to be reserved for something really special. However, this place deserves one in all of the categories below.
excellent in every way.
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: ireland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My boyfriend and I backpacked around Japan for 2 weeks and we pretty much saw all the major sites. We both agree that our stay in mount koya wad by far the best. Shojoshinin was so beautiful. Ideal location. Great price. Excellent service. So peaceful and atmospheric. Wow.
Amazing!
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: Italy
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
an incebible location , one of the best in our Japan tour: our room was quiet and spacious and we were 6 people! The vegetarian dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious. The temple has a beautiful garden and monks were very kind. Morning prayer was an experience and I suggest you to take a early morning walk through Okuin.
Unforgettable temple experience
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The atmosphere in Koyasan is magical, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. This temple ryokan has comfortable and clean tatami rooms, simple and delicious dinner and breakfast, friendly and helpful staff, and is located in a convenient location close to the cemetery.
Excellent
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: France
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 5
Excellent sÃ©jour, accueil trÃ¨s bien organisÃ©, chambre spacieuse et agrÃ©able, service efficace et discret.... Ã recommander !
Spiritually Relaxing
Month of Visit: June
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We stayed at Shojoshin-in for one night in June at the end of our travels around Honshu. It was one of the best experiences of our trip. The rooms were spacious, the beds were comfortable and warm (whilst warm during the days, the temperatures at night plummeted), the food simply exquisite and the monks were very friendly and accommodating. Being so close to the Okonuin made for an easy, atmospheric evening stroll amongst the ruins.
Perfect Stay - should have stayed longer!
Month of Visit: August
Country Of Reviewer: UK
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koysan is beautiful, peaceful and just the sort of place you go to relax. Shojoshin-in, allows you to do all of those things. We stayed for 1 night although now that we have been we should have stayed 2 even 3 nights. We travelled from Tokyo to Koyasan which took around 6-7 hours but oh my it was totally worth it. The temple is in a great location right next to the bus stop. Also next to a really amazing cemetery. Beautiful shrines and statues. We did have enough time to go right to the top but will definitely do this next time. The experience at Shojoshin-in was wonderful. From the moment we arrived we were treated so kindly. The dinner was absolutely delicious. I could eat that every day of my life! Breakfast was also very tasty. We sat in a large japanese style/hall/room but everyone had privacy and were separated by screens. We Stayed in the house to the right of the temple with a private bath. The rooms were beautiful, we had the whole place to ourselves. The bath was lovely and the bath products smelt soooo good! This is NOT a negative but a reminder - Please be aware that you should set at alarm so as not to miss prayers as we did. You will not hear the gong in the house to the right. I want to stay again, one night was NOT enough and I look forward to the time when I can return!
Excellent stay
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Koyasan is a lovely, magical place and Shojoshin-in is a great place to stay. Location is great, right next to the entrance of Okunoin's cemetery. The monks were very welcoming and the food was great. Would certainly stay here again.
A very special experience
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Germany
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The temple is right next to the famous cemetery. It's well maintained, clean and just beautiful. My room was quite large for 1 person but had all normal amenities you can expect from a normal hotel. Definitely can recommend Shojoshin-in.
A good place to be!
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Germany
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We enjoyed a lot our stay at the temple. It is very well situated, the food is excellent and the facilities of the temple are of a normal ryokan. The morning ceremony is definitely worth visiting!
Disappointing experince though beautiful temple
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Finland
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 3
Staff Rating - 2
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 3
I'm sorry to say but I was disappointed. I was the first guest on that day but I believe I got the worst room in the temple. On the next morning I woke up at 5 am because the room was shaking the reason being it was right above the entrance. It was also only 10 meters away from the main road so I could clearly hear cars going by. My experince was not particularly tranquil and 10800 yen was too much for that. I can't help wondering why they gave me such a room as the temple wasn't fully booked at all. My review points to the stuff reflect that. I ate the dinner alone in a small room surrounded by four walls. It would have been nicer with other people. The food cannot be compared with the same kind of food I ate at Shiragawa-go which was excellent. This food was just ok and I would lie if I said it was delicious. However, I didn't expect great food at the temple so I have nothing to complain. The location of the temple is very good right next to the probably the biggest sight. I walked through the semetary both night and day and I can recommend to do both. The temple itself is beautiful both inside and outside. Do I recommend this temple? Well, I would choose a temple where all guests get a peaceful room as there are also those in Koya and I think that's what you would like to have when you come to Koya.
Amazing experience
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Germany
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I made my girlfriend a marriage proposal. I couldn't imagine a better place to do that. I think that speaks for itself.
Beautiful Temple Stay
Month of Visit: September
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Shojoshin-in was a great place to stay on Mt Koyasan. The room we stayed in was very spacious and overlooked the beautiful gardens and koi pond. We had been expecting a spartan monks meal for dinner, but it was probably one of the most lavish meals we had in Japan, served in our own private tatami dining room. The breakfast was similarly extravagant but a bit smaller. The building and grounds are quite dramatic and, as suggested in other reviews, is in close proximity to the cemetery, which is great to stroll through. I highly recommend staying at Shojoshin-in.
Great atmosphere and a lot of beauty and tranquility
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Israel
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was a very unusual experience - spending a night in the monastery, coming for a morning service , eating vegan food, walking through the ancient cemetery at night almost alone. Still there were some things I didn't expect. First of all be prepared for a long-long road from Osaka to the monastery. I thought it would be quicker, and fast trains are not so often, so it didn't fit for us. Second, still there are so many tourists, that it's not a real monastery life and I didn't feel like "living in the monastery" - just another nice hotel, even internet worked
Wonderful!
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojoshin-in was truly wonderful. The rooms are gorgeous, the food is lovely and presented beautifully, the monks are extremely friendly and engaging and welcomng. Highly recommended! Special thanks to Japanese Guest Houses for excellent service while booking our stay at Shojoshin-in.
Expensive for what it is
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: FInland
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 2
Location Rating - 2
Room Rating - 2
Even if the atmosphere is very nice, this is a real trap for tourist! Everything is rather expensive and nothing special will happpen Visiting temples is nice, food is somehow typical and you will sleep on tatami floor...but what else? Not worth the price
An enjoyable stay
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We spent one night at Shoshin-in Monastery and found the experience enjoyable overall. Our tatami room was simple and comfortable and the futons were warm and cozy. We took advantage of the proximity to Ukonion Cemetery to do both a twilight and after-dark stroll, which were magical. We found both dinner and breakfast delicious - such simple satisfying food. We loved the bath and were surprised that we had them to ourselves. The man who greeted us (one of the monks? someone who works there? we weren't sure...) was very nice but his quick tour and the information he gave about dinner and the morning prayers were so confusing that we almost missed the prayer service. The dinner seemed a bit chaotic - staff (again, monks? employees?) kept rushing around as if more people showed up than they'd planned for. In the end, however, our private tatami mat dining room was lovely and the view from our bedroom serene. Would we return to Shoshin-in? We might try another ryokan the next time just to compare.
Best part of my trip to Japan!
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I stayed at Shinjoshin-in for one night and it was amazing! There are many things to do within walking distance (hiking, shops, cemetary). I went for a short run and the hot bath afterwards was amazing. The vegatarian dinner and breakfast I was served was surprisingly delicious! Comfy beds, spacious rooms, very clean, definitely worth the money I paid. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone!
Wonderful experience
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The tatami room was lovely with everything we needed (even including a sweet snack to go with our tea). We were worried that we might be cold at night, but the futons and beddings were warm and cosy and we had a great night of sleep.The ceremony in the morning was a good experience. The food (shojin-ryori) was absolutely wonderful and we enjoyed every bite of it. The temple is very close to the cemetery and within walking distance of everything we wanted to visit. The only thing that annoyed us was that some other guests were very noisy (screaming children), which spoiled the serene atmosphere of the temple. It is expensive, but the price was similar to ryokans that include the breakfast and dinner.
Magical Place
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Our stay at Shojosin-in was one of our favorite things on our Japan trip. The grounds of the temple our absolutely stunning and our room overlooking the small pond and garden were beyond our expectations. We also enjoyed the private dining room experience for both dinner and breakfast although the breakfast was a bit intense at 7:30am for a westerner! We took advantage of the close proximity to the cemetery and took a magical walk there after dinner and would highly recommend that everyone staying here does the same.
Tranquil and peaceful stay in Shojoshin-in
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Singapore
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We traveled to Koya-san in a group of 9 people in October 2014. It was a long journey from Tokyo but it was well worth it. Upon arrival, we were in awe with the atmosphere of the temple and its surrounding. It's so well maintained and so charming with a rustic wooden interior. It's located next to Okunoin. It gives convenience to visit Okunoin anytime we want including late night walk. The dinner and breakfast are the best vegetarian meal that we ever had. Intricately prepared and so delicious. The dining hall has a high ceiling and it gives a nice communal vibrant. Overall, a must-stay if you go to Koya-san.
Shojosho-in Mt. Koya
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 3
Staying here is a very special experience and well worth the detour from Osaka. The slightly more isolated nature enhances the atmosphere. The temple is as beautiful as others have described it, and the food was some of the finest I have enjoyed in Japan, where I lived for two years in the 1990s. I was so surprised at the elegance of the dining room that they put my family in that I thought it was a mistake, which probably didn't go down well, but this is something unfortgettable, and although the number of guests is notable, you are not that aware of them when you stay. The Japanese bathroom is also excellent. The reception staff were kind and friendly. Incidentally, they can also accept payment by card, which we were not aware of when we arrived.) The local area has lots to explore, and had our schedule allowed, staying for a couple of days more would have made a lot of sense. Staying here in winter must be particularly memorable.
Excellent hosts, accommodation and food
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Switzerland
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My girlfriend and I stayed at the Shojoshin-in for one night in October and both of us enjoyed staying here. Our hosts were very welcoming and friendly. The building and grounds are very nice and peaceful - perfect for meditative thought. The room was a good size with a section giving us a view onto a peaceful pond surrounded by the colours of Autumn. For the evening meal, we had our own little room where we received our shÅjin ryÅri, which is a vegetarian meal, that we really enjoyed. A dozen little dishes, very different from one another and very tasty. The bedding and duvet for the beds was fairly thick, though very comfortable and we quickly realised why - it got fairly cold in the evening. Fortunately, there is heating in the rooms which we can adjust and I ended up turning it on as it was quite cold outside. We got to witness the morning prayer/ceremony which was very interesting and meditative. Breakfast was organised the same way as the dinner the night before. All in all, we really enjoyed our stay which was one of the most unique moments of our visit to Japan. Shojoshin-in was a wonderful place to stay and I hope to return some day.
Quite good
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Japan
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Loved the atmosphere, the room, the bath, the food. The monks were very friendly if you speak Japanese. I was given a private tour! The location of the temple is great because it is right beside the night-walk pathway that leads to a mausoleum! Don't miss out on taking the 2km walk once the sun goes down. It was the coolest. Only one strange thing happened. At 1230AM someone tried to open my door(Japanese type sliding paper doors). As a female staying solo in the room, this was unsettling and I had a hard time falling back asleep. I'm hoping it was someone lost and looking for the bathroom!
Rina Good place to stay
Month of Visit: October
Country Of Reviewer: Netherlands
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It is a beautiful temple, i came early and it was possible to get early in the room and leave all the luggage there and i was ready to explore Koyasan. The monks are very friendly and helpful. the morning ceremony was impressive and the food was delicious. The bath was good i was there all alone.. the room was big and there were heaters so it was quickly warm. i was looking at the entrance of the graveyard and whith the maple leaves it was a fairytail sight..Overall a very satisfying stay..
amazing
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
It was an absolutelly great experience,as it has been for the four previous staying we have been there.
excellent
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: spain
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
absolutelly breath taking
Wonderful Experience
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We visited just as the autumn leaves were starting to turn so it was incredibly picturesque. We arrived around 4pm to the Ryokan, and decided to have a bath before dinner at 5. What an amazing experience. While it was a shared bathroom, we both had it to ourselves (male & female seperated). The bath was enormous and full of incredible hot water it warmed us right through. Dinner was amazing - we aren't sure what we ate, but it was one of the nicest vegetarian meals we have ever had. There was plenty to go around and so good. After dinner we went for a walk through the cemetary with all the laterns lit - highly recommended! A little spooky and a little beautiful. Well worth the effort. We got up early for the ceremony the next morning - can't believe how great the monks voices are and how they can harmonise during the chants making it seem effortless. Breakfast was traditional Japanese, and again it was wonderful. The monks were very helpful and accommodating and the temple itself was beautiful. We spent most of the next day wandering around the Koya community and exploring all the temples. We also went back to the cemetary - which was a completely different place during the day. Would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is visiting Japan. A definite highlight!
Very peaceful stay
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
The temple is a truly wonderful place. The staff (monks) had very good English and were very welcoming. The facilities were very good. The room was very comfortable and had everything we needed (also a TV that we didn't need!). The dinner and breakfast were works of art, almost too beautiful to eat, but they were delicious as well. It is an amazing town in an amazing part of the world. It was very cold in November, but our room was very cosy and even at morning prayers (6:30am) there was a heater.
Amazing stay!
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 3
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 2
Shojoshin-in was incredible. It's right next to the Okunoin cemetery, the best place to visit in Koyasan - best location ever! I'd recommend not carrying any heavy luggage to your temple stay, as arriving in Koyasan requires various means of transportation (train to Gokurakubashi, cable car to Koyasan station and then a bus, which is often crowded). So remember to pack lightly. The distance, though, is well worth it. Such a peaceful place and a must-see if you're planning on visiting Japan. The village's high in the mountains, meanings it's considerably colder than Osaka - so I'd also recommend bringing your warmest clothes if visiting in late fall/winter. My room was large and therefore a tad cold, even with the heater on. I shifted the futon bed closer so it felt a bit more cozy. Bathroom facilities were amazing, with plenty of (very) hot water. Just delicious! Like everyone here has already described, do not worry about the food: although you might not be able to tell what each dish is, it sure tastes amazing.
Couldn't have asked for more.
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
It was just pure perfection. We couldn't have asked for anything more. We arrived and the staff were so helpful and kind. Our room was immaculate and just enough. The food was delicious and I felt so lucky to be there. We couldn't have wished that we stayed anywhere else. I don't know what the other guest houses were like, but I couldn't have imagined that they were any nicer. You should definitely visit.
Unique Experience
Month of Visit: November
Country Of Reviewer: Philippines
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 4
Our stay in Koya was the highlight of our trip in Japan. As others have already mentioned, pack light when going to Koyasan. Shojoshin-in definitely has the best location as it is right next to the most beautiful place in Koya, the Okonuin. We loved that place so much that we visited it three times during our overnight stay. The food was excellent. It was very simple but so flavorful. The rooms were big and the futons were very comfortable. The bathrooms were shared but we sort of felt like we had it to ourselves. The hot bath was superb and definitely helped with the cold. The bathrooms were open from 4-10 pm. The staff spoke good English and were very accommodating. The place is no five star hotel and it does not try to be. Keep an open mind and enjoy the experience. This place is highly recommended.
Amazing Stay!
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My Husband and I stayed at the Shojoshin-in for only one night, but let me tell you, we wish we could have stayed longer! The location was excellent - right next to the Okonuin graveyard which is a stunning walk to do, and there are heaps of temples and food places nearby if any of that is your thing. Staff were extremely friendly and left the guests to themselves which was nice. The guest rooms were comfortable, spacious and warm. The baths were also lovely, and everything was nice and clean. The food provided was incredible, each dish was so nicely prepared and we were super full after dinner/breakfast. The morning ceremony is also a must of you are staying here. Overall, can't recommend enough, we will be back one day for sure!
Experience Japanese temple culture
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 4
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
I stayed a night while traveling with friends who had overnighted at Shojoshin-in four years earlier. They had raved about the beauty of the temple, their experience, and the food. I found their enthusiasm was spot on, and they noted that the Temple had improved its amenities in the interim. First, the Temple staff and monks have improved their English skills, so checking in (credit cards are OK), being given a tour, and learning about how things are organized is now even easier for non-speakers. They have translated signs taped to most items (importantly, the heaters used in cold weather), and have installed Washlet toilets with heated seats in the shared facilities. But language flexibility and patience is still a good idea as staff are not fluent speakers. For example, the rooms have a sink and mirror unit with a sign "water only". That turns out to mean the hot water tap isn't connected. On the flip side of that, our attendant made it clear that the water from that tap was drinkable and pointed out the all the features of the room. For the security conscious, since the rooms donâ€™t lock, there is a small safe in the closet. The rooms are spacious tatami mat arrangements with the bedding on the floor. Each room has a view of the garden. The baths are shared Japanese style, and are cedar tubs. That's a rare treat in Japan these days. One drawback for older guests, there are no chairs in the rooms or the dining areas, so you'll soon find out how flexible your knees and hips are. There are also flights of steep stairs to negotiate in the Temple provided slippers. The food is vegetarian and prepared and served in the best tradition of temple cuisine. It is lovingly and artistically presented in a dozen or more small dishes which adds up to a delicious and substantial meal. However, as others have pointed out, this is at 5:30 in the evening, so it's possible for those who don't eat all that is served are going to find themselves getting hungry if they stay up late. Breakfast is also typical Japanese, but for those desperate for coffee, the Temple has a drink machine with hot and cold canned coffees and other drinks. Since I was with friends, the Temple was happy to have us share a room for our meals. Also, the meals are the source of the per-person cost of Japanese style accommodation. On that basis, Shojoshin-in is not expensive compared to most traditional inns, especially those in remote locations such as Koya-san. The expectation is that the guests will attend the early morning prayer service in the Temple. While listening to the ritual chanting of sutras isn't to everyones' taste, the chance to see the interior of the sanctuary and experience the devotion of the monks shouldn't be missed. The Temple have also added benches so guests no longer have to sit on the floor for 45 minutes. Finally, the Temple and its grounds are breathtaking and the location near the start of the path through the immense cemetery to Kukai's mausoleum. As others have noted, another improvement is that the gate to the Temple is always open so guests can walk the paths after dark, in the light of the thousands of stone lanterns that line the way.
Highly Recommended
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Singapore
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
I was a solo traveler when I stayed a night at Shojoshin-in. The room is a traditional Japanese one, with sliding wooden doors, futons, a kotatsu and modern heaters that will keep you warm during the cold season. The traditional vegetarian meal was excellent, in terms of presentation as well as taste and quality. The staff is kind and helpful, but they were not able to speak fluent English. The location is perfect, just a 3-minute walk to the entrance of Okunoin, the famous cemetery. The hostel is easily accessible with just less than a minute walk from the bus stop. Moreover, the morning Buddhist prayers were enlightening, in a way, for me as a Buddhist at least. I absolutely enjoyed my stay there.
Winter wonderland
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: USA and Brazil
Atmosphere Rating - 4
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 3
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 4
We were extremely lucky to arrive in Koyasan just as the temperature dropped for one day and provided us with a magical snowfall. The monastary was cold, but the heater warmed up the room without any problem and the onsen helped to make us warm as well. The snowfall created a really beautiful atmosphere. We loved the room, the futons were very comfortable (more than in other ryokans we stayed in) and the vegetarian meal was absolutely delicious! We very much enjoyed the morning prayers as well-- I could have stayed there forever. The only negative is that once you are checked in, you are pretty much left to your own devices and don't really get an opportunity to learn about the monastary, about Shingon Buddhism or anything else. We felt this was really a shame and would have made the experience more meaningful. But we still loved it.
Amazing experience
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Australia
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My boyfriend and I loved staying at Shojoshin-in. It was snowing outside yet we still felt comfortable and warm in our room. The onsen was nice, clean and relaxing. The dinner and breakfast made the experience even better. We both loved the cuisine, the delicate food presentation and the delicious combination of food. Highly recommend!!
Great place!
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: Pakistan
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
the location is great at less that a minute walk from the bus stop and entrance of Okunoin. The monks speak really good english and are quite friendly. morning prayer was calming and a great way to start the day. The food was both delicious and a delight to look at. the bath was hot and really refreshing and the room was very comfortable and had tea, a heater, a locker, and a lovely view of the temple garden. Though the temple was cold, all the rooms had heaters and were cosy. the temple is very peaceful and a great place to relax, think, and be on your own; it is not a social place - there is next to no interaction with the few other guests or monks.
Made our Honeymoon that much more magical
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer: U.K.
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My wife and I visited Japan for our honeymoon and found this Ryokan and knew we had to stay here. It was approximately half way through our Honeymoon, and we were really looking forward to the stay after viewing some of the pictures on this website. The journey up to the Shojoshin-in was magical in itself, with a part of the journey being via Cable car. The initial welcome was very warm and set us at ease. The gentleman who greeted us spoke good English but also conversed with myself in Japanese, although it was broken on my half. We were shown around the temple, being told where breakfast and dinner would be held, shown where the morning prayers would be prayers and then shown our rooms, the toilets and the Onsen (which we couldn't wait to experience). The rooms were quite cold, but this was to be expected in the middle of December and at that altitude, but the room heater quickly and sufficiently heated the room. With dinner being held at %:30pm we had ample time to go and explore the surrounding area. We visited the local shops and stocked up on a few native delights, and then went and walked through Okunoin (This magnificent, mysterious necropolis of vast cedar trees and mossy tombstones is Koyasan's cemetery). This walk was spectacular and took us about 1 hour to reach Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and Torodo Hall (Hall of lamps). The walk was very spiritual and also relaxing, and we were also lucky enough for it to start snowing which added top the whole experience. Also a few metres past the Gobyonohashi Bridge that crosses a stream behind the Mizumuke Jizo that separates the innermost grounds of the temple from the rest of Okunoint, on the left side of the path lies the Miroku Stone, housed in a small cage. Visitors are challenged to lift the stone from the cage's lower platform to an upper platform with only one hand. It is believed that the stone feels lighter to good people and heavier to bad people, and that it can provide a connection to the Miroku Bodhisattva. I completed this challenge with numerous witnesses :) Back at the temple and the Vegetarian Dinner was delectable, and sufficiently satisfied our hunger from the walk. After dinner we tried the Onsen and we reluctant to get out. The Futon bed were amazingly comfortable and a great nights sleep was had. In the morning we were up early in order to witness the morning prayers. Now this was simply spectacular to be a part of and the whole time we were both enraptured by it. Breakfast was then served and was of the same amazing standard as the Dinner the night before. Shortly after breakfast we had to check out to continue on our journey, but now we know how wonderful the area is we will definitely spend more time there next time we visit. Staying he and experience the area isn't something that can be put into words. If you get the chance you HAVE to experience it for yourself!!
peaceful
Month of Visit: December
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 4
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 4
Room Rating - 4
loved it. peaceful and quiet, i am a meat lover but i found the vegetarian meal very yummy. hughly recommend this temple.
Amazing!
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer: USA
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
Everything about our stay at Shojoshin-in was perfect. The temple and surrounding area was absolutely gorgeous, the staff was friendly, and the overall experience was exactly what I had hoped for. I was grateful that we had the opportunity to participate in the morning services, too, because that was an experience I will never forget. I whole-heartedly recommend a stay at Shojoshin-in!
Beautiful experience!
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer:
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
We loved our stay in Shojoshin-in very very much!
Magical experience in a beautiful, uniquely Japanese winter-wonderland
Month of Visit: January
Country Of Reviewer: New Zealand
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
My wife and I stayed at Shojoshin-in Temple in January and it was an absolutely wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Japan. Our perfect traditional Japanese style room, looked out over a perfect traditional Japanese Garden, complete with a Koi fish pond, and beyond this a view of snow-covered pine forest (magical for me as I live in a city where it does not snow). The location is ideal because it is right next to the mystical path to Okunoin Temple (we walked it at night) and within walking distance from the other temples in the town. The Buddhist food was exquisitely presented and was more than enough to fill us up. The temple has a very nice Onsen that will leave you feeling completely relaxed, and ready for bed. The staff were very friendly, accommodating and efficient. Observing the monks in prayer ceremony in the morning was an insightful way to enjoy the Buddhist experience as a whole. Add this to your itinerary for sure!
Best part of our trip to Japan
Month of Visit: February
Country Of Reviewer: Canada
Atmosphere Rating - 5
Food Rating - 5
Staff Rating - 5
Location Rating - 5
Room Rating - 5
At first I was skeptical about making the trek to Koyasan in month of February when there are other more centrally located ryokans in Japan; however taking into account a family member's recommendation as well as the great reviews online, my husband and I decided to add it to our itinerary and it was one of the best decisions we made. Even in the blistering cold of February, Koyasan was a charming place to visit. The monks at Shojoshin-in were incredibly polite and welcoming. The facilities were perfect. While I was initially worried about the shared washroom, it proved to be so comfortable. There are sinks in each room, it is just the toilet and shower that you share - not to mention there are plenty of them so I never had to wait to use one. Furthermore, like everything else in Japan, facilities are clean and spotless. The meals were also delicious and filling. The prayer ceremony in the morning was just as serene I imagined. What a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.

Ryokans (Japanese Inn)

Hot Springs(Onsen)

Resources

Help

Shojoshin-in

Style: Buddhist-Temple

Price Per Person: ¥13,200 ~ ¥16,500

Guest Rating:

Address (English)

Address (Japanese)

Facilities

GUEST ROOMS

HOT SPRINGS and BATHING FACILITIES

REGULAR BATHING FACILITIES

MEALS

SPECIAL MEAL REQUEST

DINING ARRANGEMENTS

OTHER

GUEST REVIEWS

Guest Photos:

Ryokan Reviews:

Amazing experience

Calm place

Excellence

Shojoshin-in stay was fantastic

Great stay

Amazing

This place is great

Really nice experience

Zen and lovely

Really special stay

My temple stay location

Very good!

completely ZEN

Really nice experience

Fue genial!

Wonderful experience

Highlight of our trip to Japan

Magical

Recommended: a true experience

Very interesting experience

Authentic

beautiful room and authentic temple experience

Nice place

Wonderful!

Great place to stay

Great stay, again!

Once in a lifetime experience

Exotic and interesting experience

Amazing experience

Not what we had hoped

Magic spot

A Highlight of Our Trip!

Lovely, unpretentious and comfortable

Highly recommend

Fantastic

Amazing!!

An awesome experience

Excelente estadia e atendimento

A nice experience but also a little disappointing

Spiritual experiencwe

calming

Shojishin- in:HIGHLIGHT OF OUR Japan trip

Nice experience !

IS LIFE REAL? cause I'm beyond grateful

Nice experience

Great overnight

What an amazing place!

Relaxing and tranquil stay

Terrific for our school group

A good stay

One of the most memorable day in Japan

Traditional Experience

Totally worth the trip!

Great experience

Great!

Great experience

An unique experience

100% Worth it

Uma viagem no tempo!

Price Per Person:
¥13,200 ~ ¥16,500