Hanazono Kaikan — Hotel in Kyoto

A unique welcoming temple hotel that is conveniently located next to Myōshin-Ji temple. I loved the close proximity to the temple where I enjoyed the peace and serenity of Myōshin-Ji. I was able to experience a little Zazen meditation in the beautiful sub-temples like Tōzai-in, or copying sutras in the main hall. The temple complex is vast with an atmosphere of peace.

The atmosphere of the hotel is peaceful, even when it's busy. As the hotel is part of Myōshin-Ji temple, monks and senior monks frequent the restaurant, lobby and work at the reception area. So it's a real "working" temple hotel.

The hotel has excellent food, ranging from Udon to donburi (rice bowls), lunch & dinner teishoku (sets), breakfast variety sets including shojin ryori (vegetarian temple food). I started for 4 nights and had every meal there (except for 1 lunch)and I didn't get bored. It was ALL delicious I didn't leave any leftovers!

I chose the tatami room with toilet, and no shower/ bath as I am comfortable and enjoy the bathhouse. The room was spacious, clean and had a view of the temple. It was a very comfortable night's rest. I enjoyed making my own futon bed every night, and the cleaning staff would change to clean sheets and put it away the next day.

I especially enjoyed the calm bathhouse with a beautiful view of the Zen garden.

Hanazono Kaikan is more affordable than most Kyoto hotels, without the hectic atmosphere and ignorant tourists. I've stayed in Kyoto hotels before, and the disappointment has come from tourists not following rules in the bathhouse or onsen, so it was a nice change staying somewhere where the locals understood the rules. Everyone showering and washing thoroughly before entering the bath, cleaning the shower stool and pail after usage, returning everything for the next guest, taking care of the bath cleanliness, tying up their hair or if the bath water and quietly bathing in the serenity.

It's easy to navigate from Kyoto Station. I caught the train to Hanazono Station and it's a flat 7 min walk from the train station. For some locations, an easy 20-30 bus ride into the centre of Kyoto. I met friends for lunch and it was an easy 4 min walk to the bus stop.

The staff were fantastic. Nakahama-San was my first contact by email, and they helped me book easily with fluent English.

The reception staff, restaurant staff and store staff were very welcoming and helpful even though I don't speak fluent Japanese. We used Google translate the majority of the time.

They were always kind, happy and helped with all my questions about temple activities, items in the shop, media, arranging luggage transfer to my next hotel and room options. Thank you very much Toyokazu Shinohara, Kota Sumigama, Ayane Shibayama and Nakahama-San!

I had a wonderful stay, and I highly recommend Hanazono Kaikan to anyone interested in the real side of Kyoto, the calmer temple experience, gardens and perhaps to learn...

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