The 10 best hotels in Koya-cho, Japan

【History of Ekoin】A 1000 year-old Buddhist temple, Shukubo Koya-san Eko-in offers Japanese-style accommodation, a beautiful garden, and free Wi-Fi. Guests are free to attend Buddhist morning services, the Goma fire ritual and meditation.【Rooms&Facilities】Rooms feature tatami-mat floors, traditional futon beds and paper sliding screens. They are fitted with an LCD TV and a safe. Bathroom facilities are shared, and the public baths are open only from 4 pm-10 pm daily.【Meals】Meals are served at the guest room at scheduled times and feature Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Groups of more than 4 people dine at the Japanese-style dining room, where chairs can be provided upon advance request.【Surroundings】Shukubo Temple is close to other ancient Buddhist buildings such as Kongobu-ji Temple, which is a 10 minute walk. The Ichi-no-Hashi entrance to the ancient Okuno-In Temple is a 3 minute walk away.*Guests can experience group meditation, and they can write Buddhist texts with a brush and ink on scrolls at their room. They can also go hiking in the scenic surroundings of Koya-san Eko-in. The temple has a lounge with a computer corner.

Fudoin is a temple based on the teaching of Fudomyo-o (a saint who is the symbol of determination), founded as one of the twelve temples by Saiko, a high monk, in Nishitani in 906 and located in the southern part of the centre of the mountain, which a very convenient area for a visit. The temple is also known as the main temple for the Yamashinas (an Imperial family branch) and is called "Yamashina Betsuin". Bifukumonin, the Emperess of Emperor Toba, was a devout follower of Kobodaishi and buried here at Fudoin, just as she wished in her will, in respect for her life-time contributions to the temple, such as donating Konshi-Kindei Amida-kyo and three Amida statues. At this temple, you can enjoy your meals with a great view of our relaxing and beautiful garden, attend the morning devotional service and read and transcribe scriptures in a quiet environment, far away from traffic. This will be your "ultimate healing experience", which only this historic temple can offer.

Welcome to Jokiin temple. We are very happy to see you. Please let us introduce briefly about this temple. The history of Jokiin Temple originated 1,200 years ago. Bodhisattva Temple Jokiin was founded by Doukou Daishi Jikkei Shonin, who was well known as the first pupil to come up to Mt.Koya with Kobo Daishi as well as top excellent pupil of Kobo Daishi. When Kobo Daishi founded Mt. Koya, he ordered his pupils Jikkei Shonin and Taihan Shonin to build this temple as their accommodation. However, Shingaku Shonin restored it when the temples were declined in the middle ages. It was more than 800 years ago. Shingaku Shonin was from Omi region and he climbed up Mt. Koya to learn Shingon sect, after becoming the disciple of Tendai sect. Then he restored Jokiin Temple and became the monk of Mt. Koya. His name was on "Honcho Kosoden" (biography of high ranking monks by Mangen Shiban) / "Ojo-den" etc., formed a school of Jokiin. And he was the top scholar monk at the time who finished Besson Zakki – 57 Scrolls, that has been kept in Ninna-ji Temple, Omuro, Kyoto. Jokiin has undergone many changes after Shingaku Shonin passed away, its location has been moved from Ojyoin-dani to Odawara-dani in the start of Genroku era in the Edo period (1688). In the first year of Genji Era (1864) during the end of the Edo period, the entire building was burnt down due to conflagration, it was being transferred to and reconstructed next to the current location of the “Rokujino-kane”, and has been merged with the Raigei-in Temple and Mimoroin Temple till now. Currently, Jokiin Temple is surrounded by Kongobu-ji Temple / Rokujino-kane / Danjo Garan (the precinct for religious practices) / Daishi Organization etc., in the center of Mt. Koya which is a very convenient location for visitors to stay, pray at each places or walk through and so on. Jokiin Temple has a deep relationship especially with Enshu, Owari, Gifu and Ise regions since Edo era, also after the war, all the prayers have been visiting freely no matter where they come from and repose their ancestors' souls by creating monuments in here, Jokiin Temple, as their Bodhisattva Temple. The tradition of Shukubo started quite a long time ago, as it was recorded already during the period of ASHIKAGA. The origin was from the locals made a rule of providing accommodations for monks or priests who were constantly on training and made a thatched hut at the mountain, or visitors from far and local distances who made a mentor relationship on their travel follow their masters. Besides, there is no general Ryokan nor Touristic Hotel at Mt. Koya. The visitors stay in Shukubo, which is officially called Shoenbo (associated lodge), as a traditional habits for prayers at Mt. Koya. There are 52 Shukubo out of 116 temples of Mt. Koya. Each of them has been prestigious since the past, kept many Temple treasures, enshrined remarkably miraculous Honzon and prepared with general facilities. Enjoy some neat Buddhist vegetarian food in a quiet Shukubo, clean up your mind and body also free your mind for a little while. Is it not important to have such moment in our busy modern world? For either of them, Mt. Koya has been a holy place where Kobo Daishi founded as for primal training for Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism. We, all the staff of this temple would be extremely happy, if you could feel such moment. Thank you,

A temple with a rich history, Saizen-in was opened by Jakumyu Ajari during the Heian Period above the valley near Danjo Garan shorty after Kobo Daishi founded Koyasan. Kakuban Shonin, the founder of the Shingi Shingon sect, which is responsible for popularizing within Japan the ritual of chanting to the Amida Buddha, came to Koyasan to be trained under Jakumyu Ajari. Later on, Shinran Shonin visited Koyasan, where it is said he devoted himself to studying the Amida chant.

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.