The walls are very thin so if neighbours don’t stick to the be quiet after 22:00 rule everyone else has to endure their noise The bathing options aren’t for everyone Would be nice if it were possible to have one or two private showers rather than communal

Unique experience

Stayed in June 2024

Shower in apartment was very small and offered no ability to change in privacy from other members of our group. Fine for a family, not so good for a group of friends. Walls between apartments very thin and therefore could hear people talking in the adjacent apartments.

Beautiful monastery style accommodation. The morning prayer was very spiritual. Food was good and amazingly presented, though a lot of soy bean products to eat 2 days straight. Staff went out of their way to help us. Very satisfied.

Stayed in June 2024

Amazing accommodation and very welcoming temple. We had a great experience there.

Stayed in June 2024

Wish we were there for longer! Other opportunities in addition to the calligraphy sevice would be a wonderful addition, and if we had more time I'd love to experience more things.

- Meals were excellent - Information surrounding the morning services were extremely well outlined, and I felt I was able to fully enjoy the experience.

Stayed in June 2024

I would have preferred that the curfew and shower room closure were at 9:30pm rather than 9. A lot of the evening events around town and at 8:30 or 9 so you risk missing a shower.

Dinner and breakfast, morning sessions, room, accommodation as a whole

Stayed in June 2024

Pillows

Overall all

Stayed in May 2024

Ok for one night to feel the climate of Koyasan and monks daily life. Super silent. I slept like a naby 😀.

Stayed in June 2024

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like.

I loved the aesthetics and the energy of the temple. It felt so comfortable and calm. The staff were so friendly and accomodating. And the food was so considered and delicious.

Stayed in June 2024

Our room was extremely large and comfortable, but the private wc we’d paid extra for was down a short corridor at the top of stairs that anyone could access. Probably not worth paying the extra. And the price is really very high for what you get. People rave about the dinner, but while it looked magnificent, had very little actual food! Breakfast was not any better. We were also disappointed with the morning prayers with the monks .. while it was a true service for the monks (we hope!) if felt very much like a performance for the tourists - only the tourists staying at the lodge attended, seated in two rows like in a theatre, Very strange!

Beautiful location, across the road from one of the major temple complexes, and walkable to everywhere.Serene and quiet - quite atmospheric.

Stayed in May 2024

Dining area was noisy. People running in the corridor and noisy guests next to us.

Wonderful experience. The food was very good. Morning ceremony was the exceptional. We arrived early and were welcomed for an early check in.

Stayed in June 2024

Meditation session was very short and basic.

Very unique temple experimence, friendly staff, incredible buddhist food.

Stayed in June 2024

We did not mind this, and the info on the site states it clearly, but one must be happy to use communal washrooms - which are all very clean. We also found that not having a chair in the bedroom was a bit awkward since the beds are mattresses on the floor.

Very special and interesting experience to stay in a temple setting. Was a unique experience on our 2 week trip in Japan. Dinners and breakfasts were very good.

Stayed in May 2024

Just wish we could have stayed longer!

We absolutely loved this place. It was just magical. The building, grounds, and rooms were extremely beautiful and peaceful. The food was excellent and so lovingly prepared and presented. We joined the meditation class in the afternoon which was a great way to wind down and settle our minds at the beginning of our stay. Enjoyed a wonderful hot communal bath too. So nice to find a cozy yukata to wear on the way. The monks and staff were friendly and welcoming. Also being right across the street from the awe-inspiring main temple grounds was a huge treat. We loved exploring and learning. The location was excellent as a starting point. Couldn’t have made a better choice.

Stayed in June 2024

Traditional style

Stayed in May 2024

I wanted to try the experience and we enjoyed what we wanted.

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

Great experience to stay in a Buddhist temple

Stayed in May 2024

Beautiful peaceful location, perfect to get away for a night. The room was beautifully decorated- just as the pictures show. The food included was great and the dinner was quite big! Really recommend joining the guided meditation- it was very accessible and included an overview of the philosophy and benefits. Expect an early night and early start and an amazing experience.

Stayed in May 2024

I would have preferred meals in our room rather than common room. Curfew a little too early. We wanted more time to explore in the evening.

Mr koya is beautiful and peaceful. The room was spacious. All amenities were provided. Amazing vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Ability to participate in morning prayer very special

Stayed in May 2024

The beds were a bit uncomfortable but this shouldn't deter you from choosing this temple!

The temple is beautiful! The grounds are amazing, the common areas are also wonderful. The rooms are very spacious, having both a "living" area and a "sleeping" area. Note that for the rooms with the shared bathroom there is a curfew for when the shower/bath can be used (4pm-9pm). The morning prayer was also a nice extra to participate in.

Stayed in May 2024

Saizenin is a beautiful temple situted slightly away from the main road. The staff was warm and welcoming and the room was big and comfortable. The food being shojin-ryori, was very different. Overall it was a truly unique experience to stay in a temple lodging.

Stayed in May 2024

Amazing experience - accommodations, food, staff and morning prayers was such a unique experience!

Stayed in May 2024

All was great.

Amazing and unique experience to sleep in a tempel and adapt to the life of a monk. Participating in a morning ceremony was the most touching.

Stayed in May 2024

Clean comfortable accommodation with great food

Stayed in May 2024

No reflection on sazein-in,, but the bus schedule was a complete riddle and if not for the kindness of locals and other bus tourists, we would have missed our 9pm curfew.

Great to experience a temple stay. The vegetarian dinner was excellent, served in your room, with accompanied explanations. Rooms surprisingly quiet, with some expected noises. Shared bathrooms at set times. Right behind kongobu-ji temple complex.

Stayed in May 2024