Zenkoji Fuchinobo

For my first visit to Zenkoji Temple, despite being from Nagano Prefecture, I decided to stay at a temple lodging for the first time. Though compact, the accommodation was incredibly hospitable and thoughtful, providing a very comfortable and relaxing stay. The room and facilities were impeccably clean. The meals were beautifully prepared kaiseki cuisine and astonishingly delicious.The morning service was truly impressive. Starting with a 5:10 am gathering in the cool morning air, we were guided through the history and highlights of both the accommodation and Zenkoji Temple. At the main hall, we received prayers up close to the monks—a deeply fulfilling two hours that far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for this invaluable experience. I would love to stay at Fuchinobo again next time!

It was truly wonderful to stay at such a lovely accommodation at the end of April. The day before our stay, we passed by the accommodation and took photos of the beautiful peach blossom entrance. The staff greeted us with a warm smile and bow, leaving a great impression. We were also fortunate to visit during a season when wisteria flowers were in full bloom at nearby temples. On the day of our stay, we arrived early and exhausted, but someone writing Goshuin kindly spoke to us at the entrance, sharing highlights about both the accommodation and Zenkoji Temple, which made us very happy. We were also promptly guided to our room, which was very helpful. The staff member in charge of taking care of our room and meals was attentive and well-organized, for which we are deeply grateful. At night, they recommended photographing the beautifully illuminated Nio Gate and guided us through Zenkoji's morning ritual so that we could properly participate in prayer—it was truly impressive.The interior design of the accommodation was stunning with many elegant features that added charm. I look forward to visiting again someday to enjoy it all over again on-site. The meals offered a wide variety of delicious dishes including their signature cuisine; it felt more like kaiseki than shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Although it is temple lodging (shukubo), alcoholic beverages were available for an open and enjoyable experience during our stay.It was truly an exceptional accommodation—thank you so much! I will definitely return again!