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Sekisho-in is one of the remaining 157 Shingon temples that make up Mount. Koya. Koyasan has a 1200 year history. It is the birthplace of Shingon Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Sekisho-in is one of only 53 temples in Koyasan that offer temple lodging to guests. 10 years ago Koyasan became World Heritage. Due to that change there has been an abrupt influx of western tourists and rapid decline of pilgrims. We hope that visiting guests understand basic Shukubo etiquette before they bless us with there stay here.
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This was such an interesting and enjoyable experience.
The rooms have you sleeping on a mat on the floor, so if that doesn't sound appealing, don't go. We slept very well on those mats and if you need a little more padding, try using a couple of pillows they use a seats in the room.
There's a terrace; ours overlooked the garden from the main floor and the garden is not bad. Quite peaceful.
There are vending machines! But if you want beer, go across the street to the convenience store - and those beers are very inexpensive.
The supper and breakfast are vegan. Lots of tofu and rice as you are seated on the floor (some opted for little stools). I can't say it was the best food I've ever eaten but there was good variety and it gave me insight into the life of a monk.
It's an easy walk to the Okunoin Cemetery, which is massive and well worth a visit.
The onsen (public bath) is excellent, offering both indoor and outdoor options.
We attended a religious service early in the morning and some of the attendees were offering up prayers written on a piece of wood. The monks prayed for those needs and then burned the pieces of wood during the service.
If you attend the service, for the love of God be respectful; turn your cell phone off and don't take photos.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This time, I stayed here as part of a package tour. There were other group guests staying there, so the people at the temple seemed very busy.
It was the season for gas stoves in the rooms, but even when I turned them on, it only blew cold air. Given the temperature, I was just about able to bear it, so I didn't ask for them to improve it out of concern for bothering them during their busy schedules.
It was helpful that the room had a toilet and a bath, since I was traveling alone and couldn't rely on anyone to accompany me.
The room was mostly clean, but for some reason there were clumps of dust in the corners, and although I was grateful for the paper towels in the bathroom, the case on the wall had come off and they were placed somewhere else, so it was a bit disappointing that it didn't have the clean feeling you'd expect from a place of training.
The food was very delicious, as everyone has written.
Even though the breakfast was vegetarian, the amount was far too small and, although I have a small appetite, it was not enough. However, on the flipside, the early lunches typically served on group tours elsewhere tasted delicious, so perhaps this was a consideration for tour groups.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you want to spend a night there, you have to forget your European reflexes at the entrance. The welcome is very respectful, and the rooms traditional: two futons on the floor, mats, a total absence of insulation. We had chosen a room with private bathroom, but for others you have to share bathroom and toilet. A vegetarian dinner is served very early, it's quite good but frugal, you're left a little hungry. Before dawn, wake up to attend the monks' ceremony. Of course it is aimed at tourists, but there are also some pilgrims. The monks sell ''vouchers'' for a wish, a bit commercial all the same... Then breakfast may not be to your taste, even if there are a few cakes. Some customers brought their groceries. Meals are taken on one knee, but there are small stools for those who have difficulty. Very pretty garden at the back, ideal for a little quiet meditation. Few exchanges with the monks, but it remains an experience
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Date of stay: March 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I used it on the last day of the tour. I went into the room and after about five minutes the employee told me to leave the room because it was a mistake. There was no explanation of what the mistake was. Apparently we have double-booked, and we have been let out of the room in order to accommodate foreign people who have been able to make inbound trips. The people on the tour with us were also let out of the room. After that, when the meal was complete, I couldn't decide on a room, and it took me about two hours to be kicked out of the room and ushered into the new room. It was a mess of rooms, one with only futons in the shed, and another with futons in the great hall. Not everyone seemed to be in such a room, but most were. The room we were passed through was a 30-tatami mat room with two futon bedding and no pot even if tea was prepared. It was a room with no tissues or trash. The trash can in the washroom is also full of garbage. The recycling box next to the vending machine is also full of empty cans, not plastic bottles. The overall impression is unsanitary. I also heard someone yelling at the employee who seemed to be the owner. I feel bad because I'm yelling in the hallway. I think it would be nice to yell at customers when they hear you.
It was the worst lodging.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Rooms
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The reviews from travel agencies say it's the worst. There were many comments like this, but what was I looking for in staying at a temple lodging? Unfriendly. Why not stay at a hotel that offers services? It's not that they're unfriendly, but this temple lodging (I don't know about others) has a lot of inbound customers, so the staff who serve meals are foreigners and they can't meet complicated requests. They were able to handle the usual things that you would expect at a temple lodging. Also, please refrain from doing morning duties in the work clothes that are provided as pajamas. Even though it says "in" Japanese, several people in work clothes are Japanese. All the Western guests are wearing their own clothes. The room was not unclean. The washroom, toilet, and bathroom were all well cleaned. The food was also good, as we were treated to vegetarian cuisine... The temple lodging experience...was very good.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If a temple charges more than 200 usd per night for a basic room it’s a hotel, isn’t it? So for this price I expect at least clean room and warm food. Don’t recommend this place. It’s not a temple, it’s a money machine. There is nothing religious in this place. Everything is about money.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from daniel 木村, お客様サービス / フロント オフィス at Sekishoin
Responded 25 May 2023
I can't believe how much you hate me....you even deleted the word on Google. Is that something to write about? I even went to the trouble of posting a picture of the back of the TV Anyway, I'll argue again but my temple doesn't cost $200. Do you know what supply and demand is? sleep talk in your sleep lol
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We stayed here for 1 night during the Japanese Obon holiday. The temple is huge, it has about 80 rooms, but only 5 were occupied when we were there. Its location is great, only a 3min walk to Okutoin cemetery. Our room was nice, even we got a free upgrade, so we had our toilet and bath inside. The food was all right, various tofu, vegetarian dishes and also had beer served. The only thing I didn't really get is the morning ceremony. We had to sit on benches, not on the floor. Maybe it is just me, but I didn't really get the feeling of it. Also the monks wore T-shirts and tracksuits during the day, it also didn't really help to get that 'special spiritual feeling'. Anyway, it was a decent stay, the place is nice, its garden is beautiful and the head monk is really helpful. Would stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from daniel 木村, お客様サービス / フロント オフィス at Sekishoin
Responded 3 Dec 2023
If you want to sit directly on the floor, why not? Why don't you say you want to sit directly on the floor? It's summer, it's hot and it's not right to even order what you wear. Because if you want to wear a jersey or a T-shirt to a morning ritual, I understand what you mean, But I would never wear a T-shirt to a ritual.
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This is a very special place! You stay in monastery in excellent rooms with a very friendly and helpful staff. When you arrive you are welcomed in the chapel (I think that is what it is comparable to) and introduced to the place. You are also invited to join the morning service (which is a must to experience!) Rooms are excellent: You sleep on a futon on the floor under a nice, warm and heavy quit to keep you warm through the night (It was cold when we were there - so bring warm socks and a sweatshirt). An absolutely recommendable place!
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For the first time in my life I stayed in a Buddhist monastery with guest quarters managed by monks and I had a great time. The monks and staff are very kind. The room was ryokan style with tatami flooring and futon beds, bathroom with tub and separate toilet but still in the room. The futon is comfortable. There is also an onsen in the guesthouse. We have dinner at 5.30pm Japanese style (with crossed legs and low tables). Before breakfast you can participate in the morning meditation which lasts 30 minutes but is not mandatory. Good location, you are in the village 2 steps from the Oku-no-in temple, a must see.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Si cena molto presto (ore 5.30pm) ma è un monastero, ci sta è di adegui senza tanti problemi
La...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Staying with the monks is quite an experience. We were warmly welcomed with tea and a cookie. The room was fine, sleeping on the mats on the floor was not very comfortable, but we had a nice new bathroom and a lovely balcony overlooking the garden.
Dinner was simple and lacked a bit of flavor. Rice with nori in the morning is not really my thing.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
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Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Kies voor een kamer met eigen badkamer
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First settled in 819 by the monk Kūkai, Mt. Kōya is primarily known as the world headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located on an 800 m high plain amid eight peaks of the mountain (which was the reason this location was selected, in that the terrain is supposed to resemble a lotus plant), the original monastery has grown into the town of Kōya, featuring a university dedicated to religious studies and 120 sub-temples, many of which offer lodging to pilgrims.
Good question!
Unlike other temples in Koyasan, Sekisho-in temple does not have a curfew.
Therefore you are of course free to take night strolls to Okuno-in and/or the Garan.
Hi! To go to Sekishoin, you have to take a bus from the cable station to the temple. It's the okunoin-mae line and you must down to the 10th station (Ichinohashi-guchi), walk back approximatively 30 secondes, right side ;)
If you have a problem to find your bus, don't worry, there is someone to help you to find what you are looking for just when you will go out from the cable station.
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