Sekishoin

It was a genuine temple stay experience in a great location

The loggings definetely provide you with a proper temple experience. The morning ritual was nice and the room was very big and 100% Japanese style with a beautiful view towards the Japanese garden.

For a place like Koyasan where a lot of hiking is needed to explore the beautiful scenery, I personally can't say that the loggings were comfortable or warm enough to rest properly. Sadly the onsen closed by 20:30, something we really were looking for after walking in the rain all day.

An absolutely amazing place with a unique atmosphere that makes you feel as though you are staying in a traditional Japanese monastery. The scent, the peaceful surroundings and the beautiful interiors create an unforgettable experience. Our room was spacious, comfortable, spotlessly clean and beautifully designed in the traditional ryokan style. Everything was perfectly organised, with great attention to detail, and the beautiful garden added even more charm to the property. Walking through the corridors, you can really feel the spiritual atmosphere of the monastery. The surrounding area is stunning, and the location is excellent, just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Okunoin Cemetery and only one minute from the nearest bus stop. There are also vending machines in the corridors where you can purchase drinks and instant soups, which is a convenient touch.

Unfortunately, the meals were disappointing, especially considering the price of the stay. Breakfast was quite poor, and even coffee was not included. There was a woman sitting outside the dining room selling coffee, eggs and croissants for an additional charge. While we appreciated having the option to purchase these items, we felt that at least coffee should have been included in the breakfast, particularly given the price of the accommodation.

The location for the night cemetary tour was perfect and also to walk around in the town.

It said that the staff spoke English and the morning service would be explained in English. This wasn‘t the case, it was only explained in Japanese. Since I was very interested in how the buddhist life is, this was very disappointing for me.