The futons could be better.

The host was very welcoming. Mayuma (English Guide Club) is worth seeking out.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

The japanese style room. The breakfast and dinner are insanely good.

Stayed in April 2024

Expensive and short ceremony

Amazing experience, staff and food. The temple is incredible

Stayed in April 2024

Ambience, at up in the nature and staff

Stayed in March 2024

Place a little hard to find. All signs are in japanese… It was difficult to keep the tatamirooms warm. Was quite cold. Bathroom with warm shower and onsen far away from room. Shared toilets and washroom only cold water, and I mean Really COLD. A bit overpriced for what it was.

Location was excellent. The 2 rooms spacious. Garden well kept. Very friendly staff/ monks. Vegetarian temple food delicious . We even had warming matrasse. Went to morning prayer which is an experience. Also mantra calligraphy is offered for 1000¥.

Stayed in March 2024

It is not possible to check in early without paying a fee.

Convenient location near the station. Comfortable Bed.

Stayed in February 2024

It might be just my misunderstanding regarding Mt. Koya’s hotels/ryokans but I thought it would feel like I was in a temple where cerimonies and routine monk procedures are held, with monks living in the place along with the guests, but in the end it was basically a hotel inside what used to be a temple. The buddhist cerimony was a 15min prayer. If you have the same hopes as I did, bear in mind this will resemble very much a hotel experience with great service.

Everything was great, from the meals to service and accomodations!

Stayed in March 2024

The beds were pretty hard in spite if them doubling up the futons for us. But I would go back. It is a neat experience.

The food was great--all vegetarian as per Buddhist beliefs. The monk apprentice that oversees the guests is very gracious and helpful. They have heat and nice facilities.

Stayed in March 2024

We stayed for 2 nights in February.The location was central to everything and was very convenient! The beautiful garden , temple and forest was like a peaceful oasis and transport you back in time . The rooms were clean and spacious and comfortable. The meals were the highlight of the stay . It has been prepared by a retired chef who had his own restaurant in Osaka for many years . It was the best vegan meal ( shojin ryori ) we’ve ever had . The staff were very friendly , kind and caring I would Highly recommend to stay here !

Stayed in February 2024

We knew that we will sleep in a Buddhist monastery in wintertime. And they did everything to heat our room. But between us and the frozen lake in the Zen garden there was little more than a thin glass door and a sliding paper door. To be clear, you have to follow the monks advice to sleep UNDER your blanket completely covered or you breathe winter air. It was ok following all the monk´s advice.

Our room was actually a suite with the look on a beautiful Zen garden. With a 20m2 living room and a 16m2 bedroom, it was huge for Japan. I guess they gave us the very best room in the monastery. The vegetarian Buddhist dinner was delicious and left nothing to wish. Breakfast was ok. The staff and the monks were very friendly and made sure that they understood our wishes despite the 99% language barrier. The monastery is right in front of the most important pagoda in Koyasan and 5 minutes from the main museum. The train rides to from Hashimoto to Koyasan (+cable Car) is an amazing travel experience. Do NOT take the bus!

Stayed in February 2024

It was an amazing experience and it was a wonderful temple! We felt honoured we were allowed to stay in such a place. The dinner was surprisingly tasty even if it was vegetarian! We were there late January so be prepared for some seriously cold weather. The rooms and dining area had heating but outside it’s freezing! Maybe pack some heat pads or buy some from family mart, there is one very close! :)

Stayed in January 2024

The meals were exceptional, our room Was large and warm, the hosts were friendly and the bath was a treat.

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing.

The food was exceptional, and they provided a fantastic gluten-free meal for one of our party with gluten intolerance. The room was beautiful, and the heated blankets and heater kept us nice and warm (we visited in winter). The monks were very friendly and helpful. We appreciated the chance to attend morning prayers. It was lovely using the public baths before bed. All in all an exceptional place and I would definitely recommend it to anyone staying in Koyasan.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing, I loved it.

Koyasan and Hojoin temple have been the highlight of our 12 day Japan trip. This is a truly special experience, not to be missed. Hojoin is a lovely temple to stay in. We were exceptionally warmly welcomed from the moment we arrived, and shown around the property and how to use heaters etc in detail so we felt very much at home. You get a veggie dinner and breakfast included (at 6pm and 7am). Dinner in particular is extremely delicious and I say that as a carnivore! Lots of different flavours to try. The morning ceremony is at 6.30am and was an interesting meditative chant lasting approximately 30 minutes taking you up to breakfast. The room it is held in is quite spectacular (image with lamps all over the ceiling). You are given a traditional robe to wear if you’d like. We just used it for the room and walking to/from the Onsen but some people wore it to dinner. You’re asked not to wear it to the ceremony as it’s considered bedroom wear. The Onsen is very warm and from the hot spring, just the right temperature for a soak in the winter. Really loved it. There is a women’s Onsen and a men’s Onsen as is customary in Japan, to preserve your modesty! It’s open between 5pm and 9pm only (so you wash in the evening before bed). We have visited at the end of December so yes it is cold in Koyasan (around 0-3 degrees and some thawed snow. You need to bring warm clothes - I had a vest top, merino wool base layer and two jumpers plus down coat and was toasty! You’ll be fine in the room, they have a proper wall heater, oil heater, electric heater plus electric blankets in the bed and on your table. So was a lovely warm sleep. It’s just chilly getting to and from the room in the hallway and the ceremony room but the dinner room was warm. Honestly it’s tolerable for the one night to get the experience.

Stayed in December 2023

You are warmly welcomed by the monks who explain the program of your stay. Whilst dressed in your supplied yukata, you eat dinner and breakfast, creating a ryokan feel to your stay. The morning prayer was very uplifting and a wonderful experience to observe. The in-house onsen was an added bonus and very warming.

Stayed in December 2023

Hojoin is a very welcoming temple perfectly located to explore Koyasan. The food is delicious and the onsen-style bath was perfect to warm up after a cold day walking.

Stayed in November 2023

The toilettes were clean but the toilettes room was stinky. The price for the stay was too high for the quality even if it was nice and we had a great time.

The breakfast and dinner were delicious. The room was very nicely prepared and bed very comfortable even if it was cold due to the period of the year, everything was fine to be comfortable. We like very much the prayer in the morning and the all facilities with the Onsen.

Stayed in December 2023

It was my first time trying a hot spring and it was hard for me to actually get in because the temperature was so high. It took some time for each body part to adapt, so in the end it was very enjoyable but I can see how it might not be for everyone. Also, be careful to close every door before opening the next if you want to prevent mosquitoes entering your room. I also loved the food but keep in mind it will be vegan and you don't have a choice, so keep an open mind to try the food of a real Buddhist monk. If it's not for you, you're free to eat somewhere else as well, there are restaurants, bars and vending machines nearby

This was an incredible experience. A monk was waiting for us and showed us around in perfect English. We had a whole wing of the temple to ourselves (3 people). The futon beds were ready upon arrival and we're strikingly comfortable and warm despite the cold weather in the mountains. We had beautiful yukata to wear, our meals were also ready and waiting for us at dinner time and breakfast time (all vegan, no choice as you eat what monks eat and it was delicious!) we had the opportunity to witness their morning ritual in the most sacred part of the temple. We had spacious rooms, a table with 4 chairs at floor level, toilets, sinks and a beautiful little garden to ourselves. We got to experience a hot spring as well, and there was an area with free Wi-Fi connection. Monks were super friendly and helpful, and accompanied us to the exit. This is one of the only 3 temples in Koyasan that have never been burned down (and there are dozens of them). I can't overstate how impressive a feat that is for such an ancient, fully wooden building. Everything about it was magnificent, we got to experience life the traditional Japanese way and will never, ever forget it. I'm grateful this kind of experience is even offered for tourists, truly speaks volumes of the Buddhist monk's generosity. This was the priciest stay we had, but still not more expensive than your average luxury hotel, and absolutely unforgettable.

Stayed in November 2023

We had an incredible time at Hojoin. The staff were incredibly friendly, the dinner and breakfast served were delicious and nothing like I’ve had before. The onsen was great and the location as well, would most definitely recommend!

Stayed in November 2023

Great experience!

Stayed in November 2023

The food was simple but very tasty and filling. My vegan friend was overjoyed with the meals proposed. The kindness of the staff was outstanding and they were always ready to help. The hot bath was clean and functional. The size of the room was great; yukata, towels and toothbrushes were provided as well. The hot tea and snacks in the room were much appreciated. Morning prayer was interesting and the location is great (just in front of one of the major temple complexes in Koya!). It is a simple lodging, with heating only in the rooms but it's an experience I would recommend to anyone!

Stayed in November 2023

The hospitality of the monks, the beautiful surroundings and the delicious food

Stayed in November 2023

All was great.

Beautiful location, unique building and its history. Beautiful and comfortable room, delicious food, caring and helpful people. The bath!

Stayed in November 2023

The monks were so friendly and welcoming. Excellent English was spoken and they were so accommodating and understanding. This was my second trip to Koyasan and it was wonderful to stay in a temple with such rich history. The food was excellent and the bath was wonderful. Being able to participate in the morning ceremony is always such a privilege.

Stayed in November 2023