Shunkō-in Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

We stayed here for three nights in a family room and it was perfect. The temple income from the guest house is an income stream to help renovate their buildings, so it was nice to be able to contribute. The surroundings are very, very peaceful, in a complex of other Buddhist Temples so it is very atmospheric, but not cut off from the surrounding community. Our room had private bathroom facilities with traditional beds, and shared communal kitchen with free tea and coffee. There are plenty of traditional workshops on offer, from Zen Buddism to calligraphy etc. which the reception staff are pleased to advise on. Perfect English is spoken by the staff for anyone worried about language and they are very helpful and informative giving out travel information, maps, locations of points of interest, local eateries and convenience stores when you check in.|The Temple complex itself is a little way out of the centre of Kyoto, but the transport links are excellent, with the JR station only a short 5 minute walk away, then 2 or 3 stops to Kyoto centre (depending on where you want to go). Bicycles also free to use at the Temple and the city is very easy to cycle around.|Very close to nearby places of interest, such as the Bamboo grove, Golden Templeand the Rock Garden of Ryoaniji with Nijo Castle just a little further away. |They charge very reasonable prices and you get a chance to experience something really lovely. If you can manage to sleep in a traditional bed I would thoroughly recommend...

We stayed here for three nights in a family room and it was perfect. The temple income from the guest house is an income stream to help renovate their buildings, so it was nice to be able to contribute. The surroundings are very, very peaceful, in a complex of other Buddhist Temples so it is very atmospheric, but not cut off from the surrounding community. Our room had private bathroom facilities with traditional beds, and shared communal kitchen with free tea and coffee. There are plenty of traditional workshops on offer, from Zen Buddism to calligraphy etc. which the reception staff are pleased to advise on. Perfect English is spoken by the staff for anyone worried about language and they are very helpful and informative giving out travel information, maps, locations of points of interest, local eateries and convenience stores when you check in.|The Temple complex itself is a little way out of the centre of Kyoto, but the transport links are excellent, with the JR station only a short 5 minute walk away, then 2 or 3 stops to Kyoto centre (depending on where you want to go). Bicycles also free to use at the Temple and the city is very easy to cycle around.|Very close to nearby places of interest, such as the Bamboo grove, Golden Templeand the Rock Garden of Ryoaniji with Nijo Castle just a little further away. |They charge very reasonable prices and you get a chance to experience something really lovely. If you can manage to sleep in a traditional bed I would thoroughly recommend...

Rev. Takafumi’s efforts in making zen / Japanese Buddhism accessible to non-Japanese audience are incredible and much appreciated. From the updated booking system of his humble lodge, to interesting signs at the temple linking to his social media accounts. His English meditation session was intriguing and non religious. The 90 minute meditation session included lectures, Q&A, and a 20 minute meditation, and lasted 30 min more with a simple tea service. There was no activity during New Year’s Eve in the Myoshinji (妙心寺) temple complex. However, a 25 minute walk to Kitanotenmangu Shrine (北野天滿宮) would put you in crowds till early morning. On January 1st you may find Rev. Takafumi among other priests at temple services nearby. Transportation from Shunkoin to central Kyoto (e.g. Gion) takes about 1 hour each way, but is very close to Arashiyama (嵐山) and...