Daitaiji — Temple lodging at a Zen temple on the Kumano Kodo in Wakayama

ABOUT TEMPLE HOTEL

About the temple lodging

Jokozan Daitaiji (Rinzai sect, Myoshinji school) is a Zen temple founded over 1200 years ago, located along the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. It is said to have originated when Dengyo Daishi Saicho carved a Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) from a willow tree to seal a giant serpent that was tormenting the local people. Today, it remains one of the leading Yakushi sacred sites in the Nanki region.

The temple lodging opened in February 2020. In addition to experiences typical of a Zen temple, such as zazen, sutra copying, and morning rice porridge, we offer unique ways to spend your time here, including riverside Zen saunas and camping. Daitaiji is also distinctive for being pet-friendly.

FACILITIES

Facilities

Check-in / Check-out: Check-in: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM (We recommend arriving by 7:00 PM, as staff may not be available later). Check-out: 10:00 AM (12:00 PM for plans with late check-out). Early check-in is not available.
Shared kitchen: Refrigerator, rice cooker, microwave, electric kettle, cooking utensils, tableware, seasonings. Self-service complimentary drink corner, water server.
Basic amenities: Wi-Fi, washing machine and dryer (200 yen/use, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM), free parking (approx. 10 cars) and bicycle parking in front of the main hall, free rental bicycles. Smoking is permitted only in designated indoor and outdoor areas. Please note there are steps and gravel paths on the temple grounds.
Bathrooms and toilets: Guest wing: Private shower rooms, two shared toilets. Annex: Shared bathroom with bathtub, private toilet.
Toiletries: Bath towel, face/hand towel, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer, slippers.
Not provided: Toothbrush set, sleepwear (pajamas/yukata), cleansing oil, lotion, cotton swabs, cotton pads, comb, razor, TV. Please bring your own toothbrush and sleepwear.
Pets: Pets are welcome to stay with you in the temple lodging and at the campsite (please use a cage inside the room; cages are available for rent).

LODGING

Guest rooms

Choose from two types of rooms depending on the number of guests and your needs. There is also a spacious common area, and you are free to use the kitchen and tables.
Rates vary depending on the date and number of guests. Please contact Daitaiji directly for availability and pricing.

Guest wing: Capacity: 8 people. A spacious 67㎡ (37 tatami mats) Japanese-style room with four sections. It can be divided into two lockable rooms with sliding doors.
Annex: Capacity: 2 people. A separate building next to the main hall, with a 16㎡ (9 tatami mats) Japanese-style room. Includes a private toilet.

ACTIVITIES

Experiences

The head priest will guide you through various experiences, from Rinzai Zen temple training to activities utilizing Kumano's nature. Experiences are available only to overnight guests on plans that include two meals and an activity (only morning service and zazen are available for room-only guests).
We also offer Buddhist statue tours, goshuin (temple seal) making, Zen sauna riverside terrace, strawberry picking, calligraphy classes, and night yoga.

Morning service

This is a morning prayer held in the main hall. We pray for the health of participants and bestow amulets.

6:00 AM - approx. 15 min

500 yen

Zazen

This is a Zen practice of sitting with correct posture and regulating your breath. We also discuss Zen koans from the Rinzai school.

6:30 AM - approx. 1 hour

1,500 yen (advance reservation required)

Sutra copying experience

Carefully copy the Buddhist scriptures, which contain the teachings of Buddha, character by character.

Approx. 1 hour

1,500 yen (advance reservation required)

Morning rice porridge experience

Enjoy morning rice porridge as a temple meal. We will guide you through the unique way of eating in a Zen temple, feeling gratitude for the life you receive.

8:30 AM - approx. 30 min

1,500 yen (advance reservation required)

Evening bell ringing

You can experience ringing the temple bell in the evening. Please inform staff at check-in.

From 5:00 PM

Free

Zen sauna Ryushuan

A sauna room renovated from part of the temple building. Experience the harmony of Zen and sauna in a completely private space.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (3 hours)

5,000 yen/person (advance reservation required)

About experiences

LOCATION

Directions

775 Shimowada, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-5148(View on Google Maps))
TEL 0735-57-0234

Access by train

From the nearest JR Taiji Station, it's about a 5-minute taxi ride (30-40 minutes on foot). Limited Express Nanki trains from Nagoya and Tokyo go to Kii-Katsuura Station, so from JR Kii-Katsuura Station, it's about a 15-minute taxi ride (there's also the town bus Ota Line, but it only runs 3 times a day).

From Osaka / Kyoto

Shin-Osaka → Limited Express Kuroshio (some services) → Taiji

Approx. 3 hours 50 minutes

From Nagoya

Nagoya → Limited Express Nanki → Kii-Katsuura

Approx. 5 hours

From Tokyo

Tokaido Shinkansen → Nagoya → Limited Express Nanki → Kii-Katsuura

Approx. 6 hours 50 minutes