The temple is in a great location in the middle of Koyasan. Check in was easy and staff were nice. Our rooms looked out onto the lovely garden. Room was comfortable and clean. Lodgings were close to Kongōbu-ji and a 15 minute walk to Okunoin Cemetery. We enjoyed the prayer ceremony in the morning.

Stayed in September 2023

The westerners were split up from everyone else for meals and even had a separate morning prayer which I found slightly strange. Decor and rooms seemed a little dated.

Interesting stay, definitely an experience. Good for one night to experience traditional stay. Close easy walk to the cemetery.

Stayed in October 2023

Facilities are a little old but fine.

Great temple lodging experience. Quite large rooms. Beautiful view into the garden. Excellent dinners. Close to fabulous cemetery. The morning chanting was a joy. Best get to the chanting early as it can fill up if there are a few bus loads of people staying. Walking in the garden was beautiful.

Stayed in October 2023

A little impersonal but I think I can understand that this is a temple and interaction with guests isn’t a priority.

I love how old school everything was, yet, with the efficiency and convenience of modern times. Love how my ground floor lodging opened up to the beautiful garden.

Stayed in November 2023

Very pricy, but I guess that's what to you have to pay for such a touristy destination in the middle of nowhere.

We got a very warm welcome, which was nice. We thought dinner and breakfast were great, but might not be for everyone. It was cold, except for the rice, soup and tea. I would have loved if the breakfast was the same size and dinner. Morning prayer was cool to see and the garden was very pretty. Its probably lovely to sit outside on the porch when it is a bit warmer. We were there in October and it was about 16 degrees outside. The room was a little chilly, but there was aircon that can heat as well. Shower in the room was very nice and hot as well. Rooms are minimal, but very spacious. Everything in the hotel is very dated, but its clean and works. Beds are futons on tatami mats, which isn't for everyone I guess. There's a busstop right outside and the cemetery is nearby. The town is very walkable.

Stayed in October 2023

A pleasant experience of the buddist life. Dinner and breakfast were nice and it was interesting to see a morning ceremony. I also enjoyed looking out onto the garden from my room.

Stayed in October 2023

Dinner was very good but I expected some kind of ceremony beford eating ( saying "grace" etc), after all we were in a temple not in a restaurant. In the morning ceremony the talks were only in Japanese, it would have been nice to get some explanation in English.

Location, food, staff

Stayed in October 2023

It was freezing cold and there wasn’t enough blankets or adequate heating. Didn’t sleep much at all due to how cold we were. The food was also cold. Not the cheapest for what you get, not the best value for money.

The location was amazing, the experience was once in a lifetime.

Stayed in October 2023

No complaints but you have to expect a challenge

Atmospheric working monastery, very unusual and completely unique experience

Stayed in October 2023

the food was quite boring

very nice room with nice garden nice staff nice medditation instruction I suggest to arrive early to enjoy the room

Stayed in October 2023

Shojin Ryori dinner and breakfast was very nice and completly vegan. The room was clean and tidy. The staff was very friendly and helpful even with some language barriers.

Stayed in September 2023

Nice spot, friendly staff who spoke English.

Stayed in October 2023

none

Our room was facing the garden. A large Japanese tatami sitting room and a futon style bedroom. En suite bathroom with separate toilet. Good breakfast and vegetarian dinner

Stayed in September 2023

impersonal service

Unique experience

Stayed in June 2023

Everything was just perfect.

I stayed in Koyasan many times in many different temples and I had mixed feeling, but this time, in Sekishioin we got everything what we were expecting from temple stay: tranquility, spirituality and most of all kindness. Thank you very much!

Stayed in July 2023

- Futon could be a bit thicker - General cleaning could be improved (bathrobes and linen) - Extra payment for: Beer, meditation, fire ceremony wish

- The temple!!! - The garden - Morning ceremony - Vegetarian dinner - Surroundings - Spacious room

Stayed in July 2023

- food could be a little better, even though I thoroughly enjoy the sesame tofu at dinner and the soy-product at breakfast. - some of the official photos still have the hot pot included in the dinner. Maybe remove that or it felt like a misrepresentation. - TO MANAGEMENT: I understand the frustration you have to deal with the negative comments. But please be courteous in the responses. Although many times you have a point, the borderline rudeness could scare off potential visitors :) I think you point should still come across when you put it in a nice way.

- it’s not just an accommodation, for it provides a new experience for its residents. TO POTENTIAL VISITORS: Please do your research before booking. I’ve seen many negative reviews simple due to the unrealistic expectations. Visitors were given a chance to stay in a temple and experience the simplicity of life. So no, the food is not going to be 5-star even though you paid a 5-star price. Yea it was expensive, but that’s where Koyasan is now. - rooms with garden views are spectacular. I think this temple may have one of the biggest garden compared to its competitors. - good idea for giving us the English version of the dinner menu with pictures on it. - hard working staff I; saw them often cleaning and they worked well together.

Stayed in July 2023

Monks not so welcoming. Kind of tourist setup. Had to ask to turn on the water valve. WiFi worked about 4 hours. Expected more from the thousand years food perfection.

Calm. Nice place to meditate. Clean.

Stayed in July 2023

While everything appeared clean in the room, there was an odour in the entrance to the room which may have been coming from the bathroom or the tatami mats.

A unique experience. The garden was beautiful and very peaceful.

Stayed in July 2023

I appreciate the general cleanliness of the property; however given its huge size and number of rooms therein, some older rooms seem to be not as thoroughly cleaned — especially crevices by the doors and windows; with noted cobwebs, dried leaves and twigs. Will also be helpful to regularly air out the room/s for fresh air and healthy ventilation.

Good location; Spacious and sprawling; Adequate privacy; Peaceful and solemn space; Helpful temple and property staff; Particularly loved the Japanese garden, including the pilgrims’ room and communal dining room with a view. Deeply enjoyed the authentic feel of the temple and its facilities.

Stayed in July 2023

Breakfast and dinner flavours were ok. Personally, I felt like the staff were not approachable. I didn't know how to use the bath and had no one to ask. It didn't look clean so I didn't use it in the end. The halls also appeared cold, especially at night.

The room was clean, spacious, and overlooking a garden area. The morning ceremony added a nice touch to the experience of staying at a temple where we could pray. Sekishoin is also connveniently located close to the start of the okunoin night tour.

Stayed in July 2023

It was really wonderful experience, the garden, the building and everything. Room was clean and big. Beds were really comfortable. Breakfast was delicious and traditional. We had a wonderful experience and stay! ✨

Stayed in June 2023

It has everything one can expect from a monastery. Garden is beautiful. Rooms are clean and spacious. Great to have bathroom and toilet in our rooms. The vegetarian meals were interesting and tasty, especially on the second day. If you are craving for coffee, there is a nice little café next to the monastery. It is very close to Okunoin and there is a bus stop in front of the establishment.

Stayed in July 2023

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The comfortable Japanese style rooms and the Buddhist morning ceremony.

Stayed in July 2023

It’s an older temple with tired looking furniture and decor.

The staff and the location

Stayed in June 2023