FAQ

1. Temple Stay & Experience

• Do I need to be a Buddhist to stay at Ichijoin?

  No, we warmly welcome guests of all faiths and backgrounds.

• Can I participate in the morning service (Gongyo)?

  Yes, all guests are welcome to attend our morning service, which begins at 6:30 AM. You may enter the temple from around 6:10 AM. The time before the service begins is a rare and precious opportunity to view our sacred Buddhist statues and the beautifully adorned Main Hall in the quiet morning atmosphere.

• What time is check-in? What if I arrive late?

  Check-in is from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Since dinner begins strictly at 5:30 PM, we kindly ask that you arrive by 5:00 PM. If you expect to arrive after 5:00 PM, please contact us immediately at webmaster1104@itijyoin.or.jp. Please note that if you fail to arrive by 5:00 PM, depending on your arrival time, we may be unable to serve your dinner or may have to refuse your stay entirely. Strictly no refunds will be issued in such cases.

• Is there a curfew? Can I participate in the Okunoin Night Tour?

  The temple gates close at 9:00 PM. You are welcome to participate in external evening events such as the Okunoin Night Tour, but please return directly to the temple afterward. Please also note that our public baths close at 9:00 PM. Depending on what time you return from the tour, you may not have time to use the public bath. *Private baths in guest rooms are available 24 hours a day.

• Do I need a reservation for the morning service? Can I use the bath in the morning?

  All staying guests are welcome to join the morning service. No prior reservation or application is required. Please note that the public baths and shared shower facilities are NOT available in the morning. However, if your room has a private bath, it can be used 24 hours a day.

2. Rooms & Amenities

• Do you have rooms with Western-style beds?

  Yes, our premium suites in The Reimagined Pavilion - Honkan (Fuji, Toyama, Take, and Ran) are each equipped with two Western-style beds for your comfort. Each suite also features a private bathroom with a spacious Hinoki (cypress) bathtub designed for your relaxation.

• Is there a TV in the room?

  To help you fully immerse yourself in the profound serenity of Koyasan, we have intentionally chosen not to place televisions in some of our guest rooms. We invite you to disconnect from the hustle of daily life and enjoy a mindful, tranquil temple stay.
  *Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the temple for use with your personal devices.

• Can I lock my room? Is it private?

  Yes, all guest rooms are fully walled for privacy and can be locked from the outside. Each room also includes a safety box for your valuables.

• Is the temple wheelchair accessible?

  There are steps at the main entrance, so assistance will be required to enter. To protect our historic wooden floors, we ask guests to transfer to a temple-provided wheelchair inside. Please note that our "Take" suite in the Honkan is fully barrier-free, allowing access with the temple-provided wheelchair. Pets are not allowed, with the exception of certified guide dogs.

3. Reservations & Policies

• Can I stay with my children?

  We welcome children of elementary school age and above. Please note that preschool children cannot be accommodated. As room options for families with children are limited, please contact us in advance.

• Do you accept group reservations?

  Basically, to maintain our serene and quiet atmosphere, we do not accept reservations for groups of 10 or more people. However, exceptions may be made under certain circumstances. Please contact us separately via our inquiry form to discuss your request.

4. Dietary Restrictions & Medical Safety

• Can you accommodate food allergies or specific dietary restrictions?

  All meals served at Ichijoin are authentic Shojin-Ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Since our broth is made from mushrooms and kelp, and ingredients like soy and wheat are essential and present in almost all dishes, we cannot accommodate allergies to these items. We are also strictly unable to accommodate gluten-free diets or other individual dietary restrictions. We appreciate your understanding.

• What happens in case of a medical emergency?

  While there are local clinics in Koyasan for minor issues, please be aware that in the event of a night-time illness or emergency, patients will be transported by ambulance down a winding mountain road for over 40 minutes to a general hospital in Hashimoto City at the foot of the mountain. We highly recommend that all international guests have adequate travel insurance. Additionally, please be sure to bring your own regular or over-the-counter medications, as we are unable to provide any medicine to guests.