Hakujukan — Hotel in Eiheiji

A truly unique experience, with very beautiful accommodation. Hakujukan is just a 5 minute walk from the Buddhist Temple at Eiheiji and offers the chance to take part in Zen meditation as well as morning prayers with the monks. The hotel has a beautiful entrance & space to sit enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before or after eating. The accommodation is in the annexe and we had a western style room - this was large with a traditional seating area with tatami mats and bathroom. We had the traditional Japanese dinner which was many courses and excellent. Japanese breakfast was also served but I was still so full from dinner the night before, I didn’t do it justice. All the staff were extremely welcoming as were the wider community. Although very little English was spoken, they took care to ensure we were made welcome. An English speaking monk accompanied us for the meditation session to explain what to do. The morning prayers was very special and a western shakra book was given to us so we could join in the chanting. Note though, the hour long explanation & tour were only in Japanese so the 4am start was a little frustrating as prayers didn’t start til 5am. Still, RG’s experience of seeing, listening & then joining in the prayers will stay with us...

Interior Design is well done. However the view from room is not to the main Eiheiji temple but to the backside of ugly buildings. Unfortunately there is a moldy smell in the rooms which immediately affects the respiratory tract, maybe because of aircon and ventilation is not properly maintained. It has 15 rooms. The small Onsen is overcrowded especially when children play there. It has not the serene atmosphere you can expect from a place like this in this price category. Zen meditation in the main Eiheiji temple at 15.30 in afternoon is more or less of no use since the monk only speaks Japanese, no English instructions. The meditation hall is just a room and nothing special, it is just beside the walkway where all visitors pass and you hear them. Overall disappointing experience and I would not stay here again. For a perfect great stay, food and meditation/prayer in a wonderful temple go to Koyasan Fudo in. I came already twice it...

Eiheiji - the highlight of my travels around Japan. And that’s thanks to Hakujukan for making me feel so welcome as soon as I arrived. Special mention to a mild-mannered man named, Kato who was very welcoming and whose kindness has left a lasting impression on me. Both the Washoku dinner and Kobachi breakfast were delicious. The outdoors especially on the grounds of the temple permeated with the lovely smell of the cedar trees. Just walking around and immersing myself in the beauty of it all created a space of no thoughts. Who wouldn’t find peace in such a tranquil setting? I can’t recommend this place highly enough but I must say I am planning another visit, hopefully, next year....