Gyokuzoin

As another reviewer said, this was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. This temple, on Mount Shigi-san, is very accommodating and modernized enough for Westerners. We had a very large corner room with a beautiful view of the wooded valley, so peaceful after a visit to the large cities of Japan.||||The attentive service was far beyond what we expected from the very warm reception to the outrageous display and presentation of our meal. If we needed anything, I would walk down the hall and a staff member seemed to immediately appear to respond to my request. The food (we had the meat-based option) was excellent and presented kaiseki style. There was such a variety of seafood, vegetables and sauces, each artistically presented that it was overwhelming. And, we experienced the same for breakfast. Such an unexpected treat! Definitely book your meals here if you stay (there is nowhere else on the mountain to eat, anyway). ||||Walking around the temple (and there is another close by) on the paved trails either in the daylight or in the evening with the hundreds of stone lanterns lighting your way is a magical experience. The evening walk is not to be missed. ||||When we were staying here, there was a 5:00 a.m. fire ceremony by one of the monks. Beautiful, peaceful and dramatic! After, he came over and explained it to us in English - we were astonished. There is also a 6:00 a.m. chanting with the monks, but be sure to get directions as each of these ceremonies are held in different locations (this is a large temple complex) and we couldn't find the chanting. We did find the chanting and drumming of the monks at the other temple on the mountain, but regret we didn't ask for more clarification the evening prior which I considered and feel was my negligence. Again, the service was excellent and they would were accommodating in the extreme!||||Something helpful, if you've not stayed in a temple: you will be sharing the showers (gender separated), though in this temple we were allowed to request a time to bathe and it seemed that the communal bath/showers would likely be closed to others at our time. Also, the toilets and sinks are outside of the rooms, but have privacy as they would have in a large public restroom (men's and women's separate). Also, the air-conditioning in our room worked wonderfully and there was a small common-area with a television, if you felt the need for that. There was also wi-fi available in the common area, as well.||||We have very happy memories of this stay and I recommend it as a lovely break in the natural Japan with some of its true culture and beliefs.