kongoji syukubo seihoin

A good base for seeing the mountains and Matsumoto, which is a short train ride away. The traditional guest house is lovely, though it can be tricky to find because it’s tucked away from the main road. Bathrooms are shared. There’s free wifi, a drinks vending machine that also sells beer, and a small onsen that was very pleasant to use. The owners were wonderful and worked hard to look after us. They also made an amazing breakfast.

My husband, our two boys aged 4 and 7, and I came from the US and stayed here for a night. Set in the forest of Nagao, this Korean-ancestry temple offers clean lodging, a natural hot spring, and Korean bibimpa for dinner that was restaurant quality. Guests can attend morning temple worship for free, and can try transcribing Buddhist scriptures for a small fee. For us, it was hands-down the best way to experience Buddhism and Japanese hospitality in Japan. A tranquil oasis, absolutely recommended!

The room and bathroom were spacious. I appreciated the toothbrush, Samue traditional Japanese work clothes, towels, and Alpine drinking water. Even though I’d booked a room-only stay, cornflakes and coffee were provided for breakfast. There’s also a washing machine, but you need to bring your own detergent. Remember to show gratitude to the temple.

Dinner is served at 6:00 PM and breakfast at 7:00 AM. Dinner is a buffet with bibimbap, oden, curry, ginger pork, salad, spaghetti, fried rice, and kimchi. Breakfast is also buffet style, with miso soup, porridge, bread, boiled eggs, stir-fries, salad, red bean rice, tsukudani simmered food, natto fermented soybeans, pickled plums, and Korean seaweed. The inn is a temple and hot spring lodging farther out from the main town area where guesthouses and other accommodations are. The price is reasonable and includes meals, but amenities are limited. The mineral hot spring has hard water that warms you quickly, and it stays open until 10:00 PM. Rooms are split between the main hall and an annex, where the dining hall and bath are. Rooms have air conditioning, a TV, and an air purifier, but little else. Toilets and baths are shared, and there are no wardrobes, towel racks, or tables. That makes drying clothes and planning for the next day difficult. You lay out your own futon. Samue traditional Japanese work clothes, towels, toothbrushes, and razors are provided. There’s a refrigerator, washing machine, and drink vending machine in the common area. Finding the inn can be difficult. Its entrance from the road is narrow, and at night you might miss it.