A working Shingon Buddhist temple in Koyasan offering overnight shukubo lodging a short walk from the Okunoin cemetery, with vegetarian shojin ryori meals and an optional morning prayer service.
Ekoin Temple sits in the Okunoin district of Koyasan, Wakayama, roughly a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the Okunoin cemetery and about 20 minutes on foot from the Koyasan cable car station via the Senjuinbashi bus stop. Founded centuries ago as part of Koyasan's Shingon Buddhist monastic complex, the temple retains a working religious community alongside its guest lodging, giving the stay an atmosphere closer to a functioning monastery than a conventional hotel. Guests sleep in traditional tatami rooms, with options ranging from a standard tatami room to a tatami room with private bath or a superior room overlooking the temple's inner garden; futons are laid out by staff each evening. Meals center on shojin ryori, the meat-free Buddhist cuisine built from tofu, seasonal vegetables, and mountain produce, served as a multi-course dinner with a simpler breakfast the following morning. There is no bar or Western-style restaurant on site, and dining is confined to the set shojin ryori sittings. The temple does not operate a pool, gym, or spa, though its garden courtyard and quiet halls function as a place for reflection between the optional ajikan meditation session and the morning prayer service, which guests may attend without charge. Service is oriented toward pilgrims, hikers finishing the Kumano Kodo, and travelers seeking a cultural overnight rather than resort-style hospitality; English-speaking staff assist with the schedule of meals and services, and the temple can accommodate families as well as solo travelers, though quiet hours and shared communal spaces are part of the experience.
Room types
- Standard tatami room
- Tatami room with private bath
- Superior room with garden view
Amenities
- Shojin ryori vegetarian dinner and breakfast
- Morning Buddhist prayer service (guests may attend)
- Ajikan meditation session
- Traditional tatami rooms
- Free WiFi
- Garden courtyard
- 10-minute walk to Okunoin cemetery entrance
Location
497 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211
34.2158, 135.5911 View on map
Highlights
- Overnight shukubo stay in a working Shingon Buddhist temple
- 10-minute walk to the Okunoin cemetery entrance
- Optional morning Buddhist prayer service and ajikan meditation session
- Shojin ryori vegetarian dinner and breakfast included
- Traditional tatami rooms with garden-view options
Tips for visiting
- Dinner is typically served early, often between 5:30 and 6:30pm, with limited flexibility
- The optional morning prayer service usually starts around 6am; guests can decline without affecting their stay
- Bring modest, comfortable clothing suitable for sitting on tatami floors during meals and meditation
- Book several months ahead for peak seasons such as autumn foliage and Obon
- Cash is commonly preferred for any incidental purchases at the temple shop
Accessibility
As a traditional temple building with tatami floors and futon bedding, Ekoin Temple has limited step-free access and is not well suited to wheelchair users; guests with mobility concerns should contact the temple directly before booking.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is the morning prayer service mandatory for guests?
No, attending the morning prayer service is optional and guests can choose to sleep in instead.
Are the meals strictly vegetarian?
Yes, both dinner and breakfast are shojin ryori, the traditional meat-free cuisine of Buddhist temples, with no meat or fish served.
How far is Ekoin Temple from Okunoin cemetery?
The temple is about a 10-minute walk from the Okunoin cemetery entrance, making early or evening visits convenient for guests.
Can non-Japanese speakers stay comfortably?
Yes, the temple has experience hosting international visitors and provides English-language guidance for meals and services.