Henjoko-in

An experience of accommodation in a traditional Buddhist temple, and less hotel than the fudo-in where we also stayed, more authentic perhaps. The room is renovated, with a sink. Shared bathroom, single-sex, with a hot water bath. No English translation in this temple but participation in prayer is more authentic. You are seated directly around the hotel.

personally I think if prefer to sleep on floor, want to taste food (was not nice at all) , and bath in comunal (with others and NO clothes on) and early morning ceremony (which no one explain what is all about and didn't understand word or what is all happening) then this is the place. please check before book. this is only my opinion.

We wanted to visit Koyasan and make our visit special to stay in a monastery. We were welcomed by a very friendly monk who informed us, by using a translating device, about the time for dinner, the morning ceremony and breakast. Our room was very spacious, had 2 small futon beds, a nice view on the garden, a heater, very hot streaming water, a typical Japanese toilet and television. Much more luxury than we expected in a monastery. Vegetarian diner and breakast were served in a large and non heated room for all guests (no monks attented diner or breakast). Non Japanese guests were put in a separate part of the room. Most of the food was cold but tasted nice. We didn't know everything we eat because there was no explanation. After diner we went to our room and the next morning we attended the ceremony at 6.30. This was the most impressive part of our stay. After the approximately 45 minutes ceremony a monk gave a short tour in the praying area. Unfortunately there was only one sentence spoken in English (by translating device) and the rest of the 15 minute tour was in Japanese. For us this was a one time stay. Besides the morning ceremony we didn't have the feeling staying in a monastery. After all that was why we payed far more than normal for an accomodation.