Ryokoji Temple

The evening prayer was a lovely addition to our stay. We could sit quietly in the old temple architecture for ten minutes and feel the calm and peace of the place. We booked through Booking.com for about NT$5000 per person for one night with two meals, and it felt worth it. Ryokoji Temple in Minami-Aso is a peaceful spot in green mountain countryside. Only one group is accepted each day, so we had plenty of privacy. There are two room types, one with Japanese tatami mats and one with two separate single beds. The room fit four suitcases comfortably. The hallway is long and a bit narrow, so take care moving around, but the place was clean, bright, and comfortable. The hosts were warm and could communicate in English. At check-in they gave us welcome snacks, drinks, and cookies, which was a nice extra. Dinner and breakfast were Japanese vegetarian meals, with whole ingredients and refreshing, layered flavors. They used a lot of ingredients and flavors we rarely see in Taiwan. We let them know about our gluten-free needs ahead of time, and they thoughtfully served rice balls instead of bread at breakfast. The portions were generous, enough to pack for lunch. Some dishes contain the five pungent spices, including garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots, so tell them in advance if you avoid those. If you enjoy a quiet stay with scenery, culture, and local life, it's a nice place to get away from the bustle.

I still feel grateful for the warm welcome from the host family when I visited with my mother over a year ago. It became a wonderful travel memory. The surroundings were quiet and relaxing, and all the food was vegetarian and incredibly delicious. Thank you.

The healthy, delicious vegan shojin ryori uses organic ingredients from Minamiaso Village. It reopened after the Kumamoto earthquakes. If you're staying in Minamiaso Village, it's worth stopping by.

Really comfortable.