Daishin-in Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

I stayed at this temple for 3 nights in August 2017. I have to say, after travelling to over 40 countries, this was probably the most beautiful place I have ever stayed at. The gardens are lovely, the temple is quiet... the rooms are simple and traditional. The staff are so friendly, and leave little cookies and tea in your room in the evening so that you can enjoy a little private tea ceremony in your room on your tatami mat at night before bed. ||||Breakfast was delicious, served at 730am on tatami mats downstairs. Then during the morning I would sightsee, and come back to the templt in the afternoon to sketch, journal, and overall just enjoy the peace of the place. Occasionally a visitor would wander in since the temple is open to the public during the day and see me... they would ask me how on earth I got so lucky to be staying at this place. ||||After more sightseeing in the afternoon, I would come home, shower, bathe in the amazing little onsen tub and feel all the weariness of the day melt away. I would change into my yukata and retire into my room to read. ||||The best part was that even though it was a busy season, I only saw a few other pairs of slippers in the hallways, and rarely ran into any other guests except at breakfast, and so I felt like I had the place to myself.||||Note- this is not a place for high- maintenance people, or for those looking for a 5- star hotel. It is a modest, humble, family-run temple, which I believe is the best part of its charm. It does have a few modern comforts, like AC and wifi, however. It is not for loud people/partiers (sliding doors are extra thin, and also the gate closes at 9pm and lights out are at 10pm). It's perfect for those who want some quiet reflection time, some peace, some simple beauty in their travels. It was such an amazing experience, and I cannot recommend it enough.||||Cost at the time of this writing for one person:||4300 yen/night, extra 700/night if you want breakfast||300 yen if you want to rent a yukata||||Booking: must be done over the phone. Staff speak Japanese, so I recommend you travel with someone who can translate or practice some basic conversational Japanese...

I stayed at this temple for 3 nights in August 2017. I have to say, after travelling to over 40 countries, this was probably the most beautiful place I have ever stayed at. The gardens are lovely, the temple is quiet... the rooms are simple and traditional. The staff are so friendly, and leave little cookies and tea in your room in the evening so that you can enjoy a little private tea ceremony in your room on your tatami mat at night before bed. ||||Breakfast was delicious, served at 730am on tatami mats downstairs. Then during the morning I would sightsee, and come back to the templt in the afternoon to sketch, journal, and overall just enjoy the peace of the place. Occasionally a visitor would wander in since the temple is open to the public during the day and see me... they would ask me how on earth I got so lucky to be staying at this place. ||||After more sightseeing in the afternoon, I would come home, shower, bathe in the amazing little onsen tub and feel all the weariness of the day melt away. I would change into my yukata and retire into my room to read. ||||The best part was that even though it was a busy season, I only saw a few other pairs of slippers in the hallways, and rarely ran into any other guests except at breakfast, and so I felt like I had the place to myself.||||Note- this is not a place for high- maintenance people, or for those looking for a 5- star hotel. It is a modest, humble, family-run temple, which I believe is the best part of its charm. It does have a few modern comforts, like AC and wifi, however. It is not for loud people/partiers (sliding doors are extra thin, and also the gate closes at 9pm and lights out are at 10pm). It's perfect for those who want some quiet reflection time, some peace, some simple beauty in their travels. It was such an amazing experience, and I cannot recommend it enough.||||Cost at the time of this writing for one person:||4300 yen/night, extra 700/night if you want breakfast||300 yen if you want to rent a yukata||||Booking: must be done over the phone. Staff speak Japanese, so I recommend you travel with someone who can translate or practice some basic conversational Japanese...

This is such an unique experience for seeking peace, nature, gardens, zen and Japanese cultural - staying in a temple complex.||||Daishin-in is a sub temple in the temple complex of Myoshin-jin.||Rooms are traditional (tatami with futon mattrass), very clean, nice view over zen gardens, complimentary tea and Japanese sweet. Don't expect any luxury, rooms are simple and you sleep on the floor. I must say I slept with comfort comparing to budget Ryokan's I stayed in. I didn't use the airconditioning and slept with open windows - feels so refreshed during the nights.||Early morning you can hear the birds singing and the big temple bells. Its very early, think around 0530-0600 but very nice for a one time experience (sorry not very a morning person).||||Break fast is at 0730, they will knock on your door when the breakfast is ready.||Very delicious vegetarian buddism breakfast with miso soup, rice, seaweed, pickeles, tamago (egg), some veggies and tea.||||Bathroom and toilet are shared, men and woman separately. At the shower area, there is a hot bath available until 21:30. If you don't feel comfort for nudity, then this is not the place to stay as they don't have a private shower area for usage. Ask host for towels.||||Place is very quite and its appreciate that you don't make noise. Curfew at 21pm and lights off at 22pm. Temple is made from wood, so you can hear any sound or step.||||Free wifi in lobby||Spacious room but dont have locks||Check in 15pm - check out 10am||||Very nice staff but don't speak English. Reservation can be only made via telephone and better ask a Japanese friend to make the reservation for you. There is no email confirmation.||||I recommend staying at least 2 days if you don't have a tight schedule. You can do a zen medidation at Shoinkin-ji, 3min walk in the same temple complex.Or combine your stay with a trip to Arashima / Sagano.||If you like to stay close downtown, then this is not the place to be.||||Tel: 075-461-5714 ||Reservation only by phone||57 Hanazono Myoshinji-cho,...