Gokurakubashi Station × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

The hospitality felt more like a luxury Ryokan than a temple lodging. Our Room was upgraded to a special suite, and we were able to relax in the spacious “Hojo” Room overlooking an expansive garden. The shojin-ryori cuisine was beautifully presented and delicious throughout. After dinner, we took a short walk (about 3 minutes) to Danjo Garan. With bonfires lit and the area illuminated, we caught a glimpse of Kobo Daishi’s mandala world through sights such as Konpon Daito, Saito Pagoda, and Kondo Hall. The next morning, we joined the morning service from 6:00 a.m., which felt truly solemn and moving. The Dharma talk by Archbishop Miyata explained Buddhism from a global perspective with humor, making it easy to understand. I strongly feel that Koyasan is best experienced with an overnight stay. Gassho

Enjoy unlimited views of Nankai Electric Railway trains from a guest room built inside the station building. That said, trains are less frequent than in the city, so it’s quiet. There’s nothing around the station, and it’s also separated from the other guest room, ensuring peace and silence. Perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Please bring your own food and drinks.

The best part was the bath. It was clean, hygienic, and warmed me to the core. Was it an onsen? Natural spring water? It didn’t feel like ordinary water. Also, the food was excellent. The tableware was beautiful. I stayed with my elderly mother, and the staff kindly assisted us during the morning service. I’ve stayed at many accommodations before, but I truly loved this one. This time it was a family trip, but next time I’d like to invite friends from other prefectures and visit again!

I stayed on a weekday in January. Perhaps because there were few guests, it was wonderfully quiet amid the falling snow, and I was able to fully enjoy this Accommodation. Although it is not a Hotel so I did not have high expectations for the Room, I was kindly upgraded and stayed in a very nice Room. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming, and the meals suited us perfectly as a middle-aged couple. The main hall has an amazing atmosphere and is a must-see. Jokoin’s location is also excellent, making our visit to Mount Koya truly satisfying. Thank you very much.

The Room with a garden was fully equipped with a toilet and more than exceeded my expectations. The delicious Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and all the experiences were completely satisfying. I was surprised that there were more international guests than I expected.

This was my first time staying at a temple Accommodation, and it was comfortable with no inconveniences. The vegan meals were also very delicious (especially the sesame tofu). The Room was warm even in winter, and the bath warmed me up well; the changing area was warm too (I would appreciate signage for international guests asking them not to bring hair or towels into the bath). The morning service was easy to join, not too long, and never boring. Being shown the Buddha’s relics left a strong impression on me and made me feel the history. It would be even better if there were an opportunity to try zazen meditation.

Although I was traveling alone during the cold season in February, the snow-covered garden view from my Room was wonderful and full of charm. Since it was cold, I really appreciated having a kotatsu, air conditioner, and even a gas heater, which made my stay very comfortable. Perhaps by chance, there were no overseas tourists during my visit, so I was able to enjoy the peace and quiet. I also enjoyed delicious meals served in my Room. The Accommodation is primarily run by Buddhist monks, and above all, I could truly feel their kindness and attentive care. They spoke to me about staying safe on the road as well, which made me feel genuinely calm and at ease. The morning service was indeed cold, but the atmosphere of the main hall lit only by votive lamps is something I will never forget. I was told, “Spring has its own special charms as well,” and I would love to return around that time with my family. Thank you very much.

I chose to stay at Kongobu Sanmaiin because (1) it is temple lodging at the UNESCO World Heritage site Kongobu Sanmaiin, (2) it is conveniently located for visiting Danjo Garan, Kongobuji Temple, Reihokan Museum, Okunoin, and other sites, and (3) it offers a Japanese-style room with a private toilet. The shojin-ryori cuisine was more satisfying in both quality and quantity than I had expected. Being able to join the morning service made this trip especially meaningful.

It was my first time staying at this accommodation, and the moment I entered the room, I was amazed by its luxury, cleanliness, and comfort. It felt like staying at a luxurious ryokan, and my friend and I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!" True to its name, the VIP room was exceptional. The staff at the reception were very polite, and we enjoyed a relaxing dinner in the room. The bath was also spacious and comfortable. The morning tour of Danjo Garan was accompanied by clear and detailed explanations, allowing us to learn more about Mount Koya and making it an enjoyable and meaningful experience. I was able to spend a relaxing time with my high school friend after a long time and fully enjoy Mount Koya, making it a truly happy time.

My long-held wish to visit Mount Koya finally came true for the first time, and thanks to being able to stay at Ekoin, it became an even more memorable experience. Starting with Ajikan meditation, I was able to do everything I had hoped for—sutra copying, morning prayers, the Goma fire ritual, and shojin ryori—making these two days truly precious. Thank you very much.

At the entrance, we were welcomed by motifs of Tentoki and Ryutoki. The stone garden “Yusentei,” Aizen Garden, and Tosentei were wonderful after the rain. The Onsen was natural, but unfortunately the open-air bath was too dark to see well. The carbonate spring bath was out of order and could not be used. The shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) was very delicious. The morning service was easy to join, which was nice. What was disappointing was that some guests speaking Chinese did not bring towels into the bath at all; they then left without drying off, leaving the floor soaked. They also brought canned beer and similar drinks into the shojin-ryori meal area to drink. In addition, they talked loudly on their phones with friends while using the Wi-Fi for a long time and seemed to take up most of the bandwidth, so it could not be used properly. The staff’s response was good; even if they were not Japanese, there were no problems as long as you spoke with them. Finally, I was surprised that the Room key is secured from inside with a simple latch/bolt. In terms of security, it felt like self-management is expected.