Buddhist Temple Stay
Overview
Buddhism is one of Japan's main religions along with the animistic belief of Shinto. All over Japan you will find Buddhist temples with their distinctive architecture, ancient statues and icons and the smell of incense permeating the dark interiors. Many also have beautiful Japanese gardens as Japanese Buddhism developed meditative techniques focusing on the beauty of nature and capturing the eternal truths of the universe through the layout of gardens, most famously the Zen dry stone gardens. During your holiday in Japan it can be a wonderful and unique experience to spend one or two nights at a temple lodging. The most famous area is Mt Koya on the Kii Peninsula, two hours from central Osaka by train. Here you will find over 100 temples on the mountain top plateau, many of which offer overnight accommodation. You will have the chance to join meditation sessions both in the evening and the morning if you wish and at dinner you will be served a meal of 'shoujin ryori', the traditional Buddhist cuisine - no meat, no fish, no spices, no onions and no garlic. Despite sounding plain this food is really delicious and of course, healthy too! A stay at a temple lodging is a unique and inspiring experience and is sure to be one of the highlights of any trip to Japan.
Buddhism is one of Japan's main religions along with the animistic belief of Shinto. All over Japan you will find Buddhist temples with their distinctive architecture, ancient statues and icons and the smell of incense permeating the dark interiors. Many also have beautiful Japanese gardens as Japanese Buddhism developed meditative techniques focusing on the beauty of nature and capturing the eternal truths of the universe through the layout of gardens, most famously the Zen dry stone gardens. During your holiday in Japan it can be a wonderful and unique experience to spend one or two nights at a temple lodging. The most famous area is Mt Koya on the Kii Peninsula, two hours from central Osaka by train. Here you will find over 100 temples on the mountain top plateau, many of which offer overnight accommodation. You will have the chance to join meditation sessions both in the evening and the morning if you wish and at dinner you will be served a meal of 'shoujin ryori', the traditional Buddhist cuisine - no meat, no fish, no spices, no onions and no garlic. Despite sounding plain this food is really delicious and of course, healthy too! A stay at a temple lodging is a unique and inspiring experience and is sure to be one of the highlights of any trip to Japan.
When:
A temple stay can be arranged all year round. The winter is of course, very cold but this can be one of the best times to visit, with very few tourists and a unique atmosphere. New Years' Eve is one of the biggest celebrations in the Buddhist calender and makes for an alternative and very interesting way to see in the new year.
Where:
Mt. Koya is located two hours from Osaka or 3 hours from Kyoto. Trains run regularly throughout the day.
A temple stay can be arranged all year round. The winter is of course, very cold but this can be one of the best times to visit, with very few tourists and a unique atmosphere. New Years' Eve is one of the biggest celebrations in the Buddhist calender and makes for an alternative and very interesting way to see in the new year.
Where:
Mt. Koya is located two hours from Osaka or 3 hours from Kyoto. Trains run regularly throughout the day.