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

i was with a small group of 12 women to visit this temple overnight. We had a train ride, a cable car then a bus up a windy road to arrive at our destination. We had time to check in. All our rooms were adjoining with sliding rice paper screens in-between so no real noise relief. We had to take off our shoes on arrival down near the entrance, where we were able to wear some leather scuffs and leave our shoes on shelves. We also took an overnight bag rather than our bigger luggage bags and this turned out to be a blessing as the transport e.g cable car and bus didn't allow for much room. There are quite a few stairs at the monastery as well so try and take an overnight carry bag rather than something that rolls. The beds are on the tatami mat floor with a small pillow. They turned out to be very comfortable. They and a low (coffee) table with cushions are the only furniture besides a small low cupboard where there is a safe if you wish to use it. Your scuffs are left at the door to your room. A kimono outfit is provided for you to wear to dinner if you wish. It is fun and you should try it. It consists of the kimono, obi (belt) and yakata (short jacket over the top). Just have to fold the kimono left side over right, tie the obi so that it passes around your front and ties in a bow at the back, then the jacket over the top. We had a meditation session as soon as we settled in which lasted about 45mins with legs crossed, and there was a lot of creaking knees and shuffling after a while with not really any way to leave without drawing attention to yourself. I enjoyed it. Then there is dinner between 6.30-7 in the dining room, again on tatami mats with a low table/tray each. I did have my own miso packet soup, brought from home (Australia) being a coeliac and was told if there was anything else I couldn't eat. Ditto for breakfast. There is a fire ceremony straight afterwards at 7, quite a ritual, again silent. There is a communal bathing area for women and men separately only open between 7-9pm I think and there is one small private bathroom in the women's area as well for a quick shower. The toilets are very clean, as all Japanese toilets are, and there is a hair drier provided on the sinks there, which is where you clean...

i was with a small group of 12 women to visit this temple overnight. We had a train ride, a cable car then a bus up a windy road to arrive at our destination. We had time to check in. All our rooms were adjoining with sliding rice paper screens in-between so no real noise relief. We had to take off our shoes on arrival down near the entrance, where we were able to wear some leather scuffs and leave our shoes on shelves. We also took an overnight bag rather than our bigger luggage bags and this turned out to be a blessing as the transport e.g cable car and bus didn't allow for much room. There are quite a few stairs at the monastery as well so try and take an overnight carry bag rather than something that rolls. The beds are on the tatami mat floor with a small pillow. They turned out to be very comfortable. They and a low (coffee) table with cushions are the only furniture besides a small low cupboard where there is a safe if you wish to use it. Your scuffs are left at the door to your room. A kimono outfit is provided for you to wear to dinner if you wish. It is fun and you should try it. It consists of the kimono, obi (belt) and yakata (short jacket over the top). Just have to fold the kimono left side over right, tie the obi so that it passes around your front and ties in a bow at the back, then the jacket over the top. We had a meditation session as soon as we settled in which lasted about 45mins with legs crossed, and there was a lot of creaking knees and shuffling after a while with not really any way to leave without drawing attention to yourself. I enjoyed it. Then there is dinner between 6.30-7 in the dining room, again on tatami mats with a low table/tray each. I did have my own miso packet soup, brought from home (Australia) being a coeliac and was told if there was anything else I couldn't eat. Ditto for breakfast. There is a fire ceremony straight afterwards at 7, quite a ritual, again silent. There is a communal bathing area for women and men separately only open between 7-9pm I think and there is one small private bathroom in the women's area as well for a quick shower. The toilets are very clean, as all Japanese toilets are, and there is a hair drier provided on the sinks there, which is where you clean...

Disclosure: as I only stayed in this temple, unsure if my comment is applicable to all Ryokans or only this one.

Facilities are great, location is also very convenient as all temples are actually close to the main sights (mostly because this is a tiny town). Everything is hence accessible walking, you don't need the bus pass if you are fine walking 10-15KM during the day.

Nonetheless, after my night there, I cannot relate the excitement mentioned in other comments. From what is being communicated, the main purpose for the monks to open their doors to foreigners is to educate and raise awareness about their religion, practices and believes. In order to do this, I'd have expect to receive more background about all the points mentioned before. Instead, we've attended 3 ceremonies amongst which 2 of them were without explanations and one in a barely understandable English. This is the only contact and exchange of information with the hosts we've had throughout our stay.

I am leaving that place, knowing what a ceremony look like, what their meals taste like (pretty good tbh) but without any type of clue on the purpose of their religion, explanation about their isolation, the importance of Koya-San for them, their rituals, the ideas they are trying to bring forward, ... Left as ignorant as I was, Internet being the only source of information being able to decrypt what I had witness.

Although their goal is to share and explain their belief, I really felt like they were happy to receive our money (quite expensive night) and manage to avoid contact as much as possible.

Don't get me wrong, Koya-San is an incredible place and I'd recommend anyone to visit and admire the incredible atmosphere of the cemetery. Now I believe that is completely possible in a one-day trip as the night over didn't bring any value to my journey.

Overall, amazed by Koya-San but very disappointed over the hospitality, lack of communication and almost ignorance about the people coming to learn more about these people's...