Nestled in the mountainous prefecture of Wakayama, in the Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park, Koyasan can be considered both a temple complex and a town at the same time. It is protected as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism, this place has temples and even lodgings called shukubo. Okunoin Temple is open for tours and is the location of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum, the founder of Shingon. Many other legendary figures have graves and mausoleums in Koyasan such as rival warlords Date Masamune from the Sengoku era, Takeda Shingen, and Uesugi Kenshin.
Whether you’re enriching yourself with the history and culture or doing a pilgrim visit to the home of Shingon Buddhism, Koyasan has accommodations for you. Check out this list of the top shukubo stays in Koyasan, Japan.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on August 21, 2024.
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1. Koyasan Syukubo Ekoin Temple (from USD 425)
Just because you’re up in the mountains in a temple doesn’t mean you’ll need to forsake comfort. Koyasan Syukubo Ekoin Temple offers beautiful Japanese-style rooms, complete with tatami flooring and shoji sliding screens. For a memorable experience, guests should attend the temple’s morning services which include the Goma fire ritual and meditations.
Breakfast is also available in Buddhist vegetarian and vegan cuisine. After a full day, soak in the public baths, open from 6am to 9am and from 4pm to 10pm.
2. Rengejoin (高野山 真田坊 蓮華定院) (from USD 865)
Rengejoin features a good selection of wonderful Japanese-style and modern bedrooms with air-conditioning and heating. Certain configurations have private or shared bathrooms, so make sure to check which room to book if you prefer privacy. You can start your day with an exquisite traditional breakfast and relax while admiring the temple’s beautiful sand garden. If you need to wash up, the temple also has a public bath at your disposal.
3. Koyasan Shukubo Hojo-in (高野山 宿坊 宝城院) (from USD 407)
This lovely and homey shukubo is located in the 870-year-old Hojo-in Temple. Guests can expect a bright and cozy atmosphere amidst the mountains of Wakayama. All guestrooms are in Japanese style with shoji screens and tatami mats. The larger rooms open up to an engawa porch showing the gorgeous gardens. You can even meditate or reflect while admiring the well-tended flora of the courtyard. Additionally, guests can relax and make friends while washing up in the temple’s sleek public bath.
4. Koyasan Shukubo Daimyououin
Koyasan Shukubo Daimyououin is a shukubo that offers a selection of Japanese-style rooms for groups and families. Large families can book the superior room, which can sleep up to six people. There’s also a snug but homey economy room where four people can share the space. You can even unwind and wash up in the rustic and charming public bath. Moreover, take advantage of the free parking if you plan to bring your car.
5. Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin
Guests can enjoy comforts such as air-conditioning in a traditional room during their stay at Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin. Accommodations are available as Japanese-style family rooms for up to four people. Feel your worries melt away while breathing fresh mountain air and gazing at the beautiful temple garden. Don’t forget to start off with a vegetarian breakfast at this shukubo before heading out. If you’re staying in, you can enjoy watching TV to pass the time.
6. Koyasan Shukubo Sainanin (from USD 260)
Koyasan Shukubo Sainanin is a temple with 1,100 years of history. This shukubo also offers an array of comfy rooms to stay in, all of which are Japanese style and have tatami flooring with futon beds for sleeping. Don’t miss out on the experiences such as meditation or guided tours of the area. After a fun day out, wash up in the public bath or the onsen, but note that tattooed individuals are prohibited in the latter.
7. Kumagaiji (from USD 302)
Kumagaiji offers a convenient location along the main road of Koyasan. Guests can choose from the wide selection of rooms offered at the shukubo. The junior suite has a private bathroom, but all the other accommodations have a shared bathroom instead. Activities such as morning liturgy, homa rituals, and sutra copying are available, though the latter comes with a surcharge. Travelers renting an electric vehicle can also use the charging station at the temple.
8. Yochi-in
The shukubo of Yochi-in Temple offers well-appointed Japanese-style rooms for solo travelers and small groups. Enjoy a delicious homemade vegetarian breakfast using seasonal ingredients every morning. Considerations for those with accessibility needs are also part of the amenities. Among the notable features of the temple is a stone garden designed by 20th-century landscape architect Shigemori Mirei. There is even a bathing area which allows usage even for tattooed persons. Moreover, the baths have a hot tub for relaxing soaks.
9. Jokiin (from USD 618)
Located along the main road, Jokiin Temple is a convenient place to stay as it is a short walk from Koyasan’s information centers and other establishments. This place also has many options for accommodations, including large and spacious family rooms that can sleep a medium-sized group. For those who prefer privacy, some of the suites have a private bathroom instead. If you want to freshen up, the public baths are open from 4:30pm to 9:30pm.
10. Koyasan Saizenin
Koyasan Saizenin offers a great selection of splendid Japanese-style rooms for lodging. Among these are family rooms with private toilets for convenience. Most rooms even feature views of the mountain but select rooms open up to a garden view and one that offers a scenery of the temple’s pond. After sightseeing, guests can head to the public bath, which is open from 4pm until 9pm. Moreover, breakfast and dinner meals are served in vegetarian cuisine.
Contemplate and reflect amidst the serene natural beauty of Koyasan
Koyasan is a fantastic getaway for those looking for inner peace and reflection. The lush and cool mountains also provide an invigorating ambiance for those stressed out by the hustle and bustle of the cities. So, make sure to check out this list of the top shukubo stays in Koyasan, Japan, for your next getaway.
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