Find Hotels in Koya, Japan

Sleeping in a temple run by monks, enjoying the walks in the serene environment of the sacred mount Koya, viewing unique UNESCO cultural heritage, this all was just so special! I loved being part of the life of a temple, even just for one night, the communal bath was a relaxing experience and we had a possibility to attend the morning ceremony with the monks, which was just incredible! The only downside was that when booking through Agoda, there was no option to add meals to the reservation and as we found out, it was no longer possible on the spot. It had to be made well in advance. It's quite key as most of the restaurants in Koyasan close at 5 pm and it's not so easy to find a place to dine. Besides, it's a part of the whole temple experience. Otherwise it was incredible and very fulfilling.

We could not have been happier with Jokiin. I think maybe there is no better location in Koya-san, right near the Kongobuji temple, and the bus top, too. Staff (monks) were kind and helpful. Food was delicious, if simple in substance. Presentation was elegant. Know that you will sleep on a thin futon, and the walls between rooms are literally paper-thin. Bathrooms are shared and down the hall. This is as it should be when staying in a temple. A serene, wonderful experience.

Going to Koya-san and staying at Ekoin will be an experience that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. If you're visiting Japan, I really recommend taking even just a day to visit this mountain retreat. I selected Ekoin for as, as we're foodies, and really interested in learning about the culture of Japan. The Inn provides exceptional vegan cuisine, beautiful rooms, on lovingly maintained temple grounds. While here we were able to also learn about the culture and religion of Shingon Buddhism. We attended the meditation session, fire ceremony, and the evening cemetery tour. The staff are all very helpful and accommodating. That being said, this is not a "hotel" stay. Your expectations and your behavior should be different. Please be mindful that you're being given the opportunity to participate in religious ceremonies and staying on holy ground. So be polite, quiet, and pay attention to rules in the guidebook they will give you in your room about taking photos and other norms.

This is not a typical hotel but a stay at a temple. Highlights included the fantastic vegetarian dinner and breakfast, as well as the hot communal bath. Although not strictly an onsen (because the water is not from a naturally heated hot spring), but the bath provides an experience similar to that of an onsen. The monks try their best to explain things and rituals in English. Also, you get souvenirs and postcards when you check out.

It was raining the day I check in so most of the activity like cemeteries walk tour are cancelled and most shop at the main street are closed. so I spent most my time in the inn itself. after a bath and soak in the onsen change to the yukata that was provided it's very cozy and a feel of zen sitting at the lounge area enjoying the view and the sound of heavy rain and strong wind. i got the inhouse dinner the day i check in due to the rain i can't go out to eat but it was very worth it, the dinner course meal was very amazing Delicious and substantial portion! I slept early because I wish to get up early wash up and attend the morning ritual and chanting by the monk it was 1 of the highlight for temple stay. although I couldn't understand at all the feel during the ritual was very unique. *Note that there are some souvenir snack that you are only get on koyasan but their expiry date can be short so plan it close to your flight date if you wish to bring back some famous snacks*

We stayed only one night but it was lovely. The room was basic (tatami mats and a table, and futon beds they set up and pack away for you) but lovely. The dinner was magnificent - all vegetarian but very beautiful and beautifully presented. If you stay, make sure you eat there. They had shared shower facilities in traditional Japanese onsen style so be prepared for that experience and read up on the etiquette! Word of warning - make sure you get the package with the meals included - we had some issues where we booked the 'Japanese Room with Dinner and Breakfast' but it didn't actually have dinner and breakfast included (this was in the fine print). They honoured our booking with food anyway though after some discussion. Not sure if this was an issue with the way it was listed on Agoda. We were also invited to observe a traditional Buddhist ceremony at 6am the next morning. It was a great privilege to be able to do this which we were grateful for.

It's hard to write a review since it's the only place we've stayed in in Koya-san, and the only temple we slept in, so we can't compare it to anything else. Anyway, everything was beyond our expectations: the room was perfect and the view over the garden was amazing, the food was great and even though it was cold during the night (and in the morning for the prayers) we were prepared. It is expensive, but it's not more so than other places in Koya-san and we had a wonderful experience, so we don't regret what we paid.

We came koya for the Buddhist experience. They care nothing about providing you that experience. Besides the welcome to the room we didn’t see the staff at all just while serving our meal. Dinner was ok, breakfast disaster. Room not clean, stains on sheets. “Prayers” in the morning is two monks chanting alone in a room that feels so staged, they also don’t let you participate you just wake up to watch them which defeats entire purpose. If I paid 50$ a night I wouldn’t care at all about any of this, but 250$ is absurd! They also didn’t mention the place is under construction which should’ve have been notified. Bottom line come to koya for what it has to offer but do not expect a “Buddhist experience” of any sorts

Regein is centrally located in the heart of Koyasan and offers small, clean, elegant and well appointed Japanese style rooms with ensuite toilet and sink and communal bathing facilities (ofouro and shower), attached to the monastery. The staff is courteous and helpful. The vegan food is the best I have ever eaten: sumptuous and surprising to the eye and palate. We participated in morning Buddhist prayers led by the head monk, who also gave us a tour of the prayer hall which contains cremains and memorial tablets going back to the Tokugawa era.bout a ten minute walk to the Okuoin forest mausoleum. The price - as at all of Koyasan's monasteries - is high; we chose Regein because it was the least expensive. You are on top of a mountain. It is a captive market.

Had to book my accommodation for my trip to Koyasan and of course I looked at Ryokans and such. Then it come to my mind that you can actually book a traditional Japanese room at one of the monks properties. So you get to stay with them, eat vegetarian food over breakfast or dinner (which I highly recommend to get), and you also have the possibility to attend to a (very) early morning prayer, which is an interesting experience regardless of your beliefs. Some of the monks speak fluent English so you won't have issues checking in or ask them questions. There's a public bath which follows certain opening hours which I can recommend too. Henjosonin is very close to one of the Koyasan bus stops. After exiting the bus go down a little bit after the curve and it will be on the right side. This might not be so intuitive with Google Maps, but you can ask someone and they'll point you.

I very much enjoyed my stay here and the whole Koya-san experience. This was the most expense lodging on my month long trip. Please understand that you are paying for a rare opportunity to stay in a religious environment. If that is something you are interested in than I strongly recommend it. They have daily 7:00 am 30 minute opportunity to join a religious gathering in a special room with an alter that you can participate in.. I thought my room was very nice. I had a Japanese style room and found it very comfortable. It had a nice view of a garden and a mountain. The restroom was down the hall. This is not a luxury hotel and that is not what they are trying to do. All the workers are monks or religious novices. They will not give you the impression the hold a degree in Hospitality and Tourism (I teach at a college which offers this degree). Their focus is on spirituality. Stay here for a unique experience in this area. I am glad I did.

I decided to take a last minute trip to Koyasan over a weekend, Koyasan was completely booked out and Hashimoto was a close/major location. It was : - great value for money - staff were very helpful and friendly (I know no Japanese, they had great brochures on how to get around Koyasan) - clean - room size was typical of that for Japan/Tokyo (compact) - it was a taxi ride from the station (approx 650 yen each way),

Excellent and attentive staff. English was a real challenge for them but that made it all the More authentic. Perfectly located for the cemetery. This is NOT a resort as so many of the INs appear to be. It is the real deal. The food was first rate and served in your own private eating area on tatami mats. There are many INs that are newer and better equipped but this was very cozy and authentic. My only issue was their use of fuel burning space heaters which gave off noxious fumes. These are common in Japan; however I did not feel confident sleeping with it on for fear of CO poisoning and it was hard to ask pertinent safety questions with the Language barrier. I would certainly recommend it though.

To be honest, Koya San is probably best left for a day trip. The site has a lot of history and parts are almost errie so it's worth visiting but staying in a so called temple over night wasn't really that different to staying in a ryokan but just more expensive and with an average vegetarian breakfast. I think only if you a specific interest in Japanese Buddhism would it be worth staying overnight.

We were received by the monk who made all his best to communicate with us in English. Explain the temple times for bath, dinner, breakfast, morning ceremony and secondary door. We felt welcomed and enjoyed the experience very much. The room we were given was huge and very comfortable. We had vegetarian dinner and breakfast served in our room and also the beds were made for us. Our room was cozy and very comfortable. We had the toilet inside our room and the bath facilities outside. The food was very good and tasty. Next morning was snowing and we were called to presence the morning ceremony at 6:30 am. We were invited to sit on electric mats to keep us warm while the ceremony was ongoing. After the ceremony we were shown the temple and a small explanation on what each statue were. Overall a wonderful experience. Totally recommended.

Lovely shukubo centrally located near bus stop 8 in Kōyasan. Very convenient, with a nice bath, large rooms and delicious shojin ryori cuisine. The senior priest speaks excellent English, so this is a nice shukubo for visitors who do not understand Japanese also, because it will be easier to understand the history and rituals of this important place. Highly recommended.