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

I have mixed feelings about this place.

Positives: it’s very authentic, monks and staff are very kind and caring, the views from the room facing the garden are wonderful, morning ceremony is magical and well worth attending, both dinner and breakfast are also authentic and vegan.

Negatives: getting peace and quiet as well as high quality sleep can be a challenge. The room walls are paper thin and if you get chatty neighbors you’ll hear every bit of their conversation. Sharing restrooms and bath can be awkward. Futon is very thin, you will feel like you’re sleeping on the floor - I had to arrange all seating pillows in my room under the futon which barely helped. Pillow is very hard, I had to sleep on my jacket instead.

Overall, it’s worth coming for a night and getting the whole experience, comfort will largely depend on your neighbors and open mind. I appreciate the opportunity to stay here but I’m also happy to be back in a...

This was our first temple stay in Japan. Overall we really enjoyed it. The location is OK, it's near Daimon gate, which for us was okay because we love walking around in new places. The staff was nice, they gave us a tour around the temple. Dinner was said to be vegetarian, but after asking many times, we came to the conclusion that its probably vegan. Food was delicious though, beautifully served. We tried lots of new foods and loved it. Morning ritual was nice, very cold as expected, but still nice to see. We didn't do the burning incense but did do fire ritual and praying. The bath tub was amazing, mineral salt bath with dedicated women and men's times. The rooms were lovely! Overall, I would recommend....

Beautiful place, but we went to experience the buddhist principles, they’re missing a trick by not offering teachings to the guests. We went to morning prayer but it felt like an observation not an inclusion. Having to pay extra is a little too much for guests paying £400 per night. Why not offer an inclusive 30 minute guide to buddhism after breakfast? Came away disappointed with the “experience” but happy with Koyasan....