Komyo-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging) — Local services in Koya

This temple lodging ended up being one of the highlights of my Japan trip back in July! The atmosphere was extremely serene and quiet, making Komyo-in a wonderful escape into the mountains of Koya. I reserved it in advance through Booking.com.

The temple is centrally located, and I was easily able to walk to some of Mount Koya's main attractions (the cemetery, the front gate, and the temple complex were all easily accessible for me by foot). The monks were very friendly and welcoming, making for a lovely stay. While I was chatting with one of the monks, he revealed to me that this temple has been standing for around 800 years!!!

The food was also amazing!! I couldn't believe how delicious both the dinner and the breakfast were, especially since it was all vegetarian! Some of the highlight dishes for me were the Sesame Tofu (apparently one of Mount Koya's signature dishes), the Boiled Eggplant, the Lotus Tempura, and the Peach Jelly. The green tea was also unbelievably delicious, with a frothy viscosity to it which I've never had before! I love that you get to sit on the ground in your own room for dining, it really enhanced the relaxation of the experience!

The rituals were also really cool to attend, even if I'm not particularly religious or spiritual. The meditation was calming, and the Goma ritual (fire ritual) in the morning was definitely worth waking up for in my opinion. It was cool to see the monk chant and burn herbs (I believe the herb was sage?). In my room they included a pamphlet which explained some of the rituals and what they mean in Shingon Buddhism, as well as a bit about Mount Koya as a whole. Do give it a read if you're interested in learning about the area and its customs!

The futon was actually really comfortable! I got a wonderful night's sleep. I will say though, the yukata that was provided was absolutely massive on me, but I'm a small guy so it makes sense! Also, most of the guests were tourists (like me!), so do keep that in mind. It may be difficult to communicate if you don’t know any Japanese at all, but my limited Japanese skills were more than enough. I would definitely recommend Komyo-in for an unforgettable experience in the...

Komyo-in is truly a wonderful shukubo (temple lodging), offering a unique and memorable stay. The staff are incredibly kind and attentive, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and cared for.

One of the highlights is the opportunity to join meditation sessions, which provide a deeply valuable spiritual experience. The meals, while strictly vegetarian (shojin ryori), are delicious and surprisingly filling, proving that temple cuisine can be both satisfying and memorable.

The location is excellent, just a short walk from the Okunoin, making it a perfect base for exploring Koyasan. In the mornings, guests can participate in the Goma fire ritual, and even take photos, adding an extra layer of cultural richness.

The rooms are equipped with heating, which is essential in the often chilly climate of Koyasan, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Overall, Komyo-in offers an exceptional experience at a very reasonable price. For anyone seeking a truly special experience in Koyasan, this is the...

The whole place is INCREDIBLE! 2min from the bus station, tranquile, and excellent scenery. The rooms and the breakfast they provide are really nice, very Japanese traditional(the only thing is that the sinks in the rooms are not very clean but we could use the ones in the bathroom which were in good condition). Most importantly, the hosts are excellent people and always trying to help. I fell from the stairs the morning before arriving there and needed some sterilized water and a couple more medicine, almost all hosts came and tried to understand what I was saying and provide help. At the end they understood me and gave me what I needed. Moreover, they were very patient answering all of my friends and my questions, and also helped us with our...