Shimanobo — Temple lodging on Mount Minobu

ABOUT TEMPLE HOTEL

About the temple lodging

Minobusan Togai Yo Gyoin Shimanobo (Nichiren-shu). This temple lodging, celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2024, is the oldest in Minobusan, the head temple of the Nichiren-shu sect. Located at the entrance to the Togai pilgrimage route, it's also conveniently close to the temple town for shopping. Seasonal flowers are a highlight, including weeping cherry trees, Ukon cherry trees, and over 60 red weeping cherry trees and azaleas on the hillside behind the temple.

Temple lodging (shukubo) originally provided accommodation for monks in training. With the spread of temple and shrine pilgrimages during the Heian period, aristocrats, samurai, and general pilgrims also began to stay. Today, it welcomes not only groups but also individuals and guests who are not followers of the Nichiren-shu sect. Guests are encouraged to wake early and attend the morning service at Kuonji, the head temple of the Nichiren-shu sect.

FACILITIES

Facilities

Check-in / Check-out: IN 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM (until 6:00 PM for plans with dinner) OUT 10:00 AM
Basic facilities: ・All rooms have air conditioning/heating, TV, and Wi-Fi ・Free parking (10 spaces) ・Lounge, dining room, garden, juice vending machine on premises ・Walking path through the cherry blossom avenue behind the temple to the mountaintop shrine (approx. 5 minutes one way)
Public bath: ・Shared public baths (separate for men and women). Two bathrooms with tubs (the larger one accommodates about 4 people at a time) ・Bathing hours: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Amenities: ・Toothbrush set, bath towel, face/hand towel, yukata, slippers ・Tea set (pot with hot water in the room) ・Body soap, rinse-in shampoo, cotton swabs, hair dryer in the bathroom
Not provided: Kitchen, refrigerator, washing machine, safe, shampoo (standalone), conditioner, cleansing oil, lotion, cotton pads, comb, razor, socks, bottled water
Payment: Cards, cash, and QR payments are accepted on-site.

LODGING

Guest rooms

While preserving its historic charm, the building has undergone renovations to ensure comfortable stays, with all rooms equipped with air conditioning and heating.
Rates vary depending on the date and number of guests. Please check availability and rates using the booking button.

Special Japanese-style room: Capacity: 2 people. This first-floor Japanese-style room, newly renovated in 2024, features an in-room washbasin. It offers a beautiful view of the Japanese garden courtyard.
Japanese-style room: Capacity: 10 people. We offer various sizes of Japanese-style rooms to accommodate your group size.
Room amenities: TV, air conditioning/heating, Wi-Fi

Check availability

MEALS

Meals

Our meals focus on seasonal home cooking, primarily using locally sourced vegetables, and healthy dishes featuring yuba, a specialty of Minobu. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy handmade konjac. The head proprietress, young proprietress, and chief priest are all licensed chefs and prepare the meals. Shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) is available upon request. Please request meals at least 7 days before check-in.

Dinner 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (Please arrive by around 6:00 PM)6,000 yen
Breakfast 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM3,000 yen

View all plans About shojin ryori

ACTIVITIES

Activities

Monks are on staff and offer修行 (training experiences) for guests (may not be available depending on the chief priest's schedule on the day).
For meditation, Shodai-gyo, sutra copying, and Buddha copying, please inquire in advance or upon arrival. Prayers, consultations, and memorial services are also accepted at any time.

Morning service (Kuonji Temple)

Experience a ritual where dozens of monks chant sutras in unison at the main hall of Kuonji Temple.

Around 5:30 AM - 45-60 minutes

Free, no reservation required

Evening service

Monks chant sutras in the main hall of Shimanobo (includes a dharma talk). Individual prayers are also accepted.

Around 6:00 PM - Approximately 60 minutes

Included in accommodation fee

Meditation

In the main hall of Shimanobo, regulate your breathing and quietly face yourself.

Approximately 20 minutes

1,000 yen

Shodai-gyo

Under the guidance of the chief priest, chant the Odaimoku while meditating.

60 minutes

1,000 yen

Sutra copying and Buddha tracing

This is a practice where you focus on each stroke of the brush, forgetting all distractions.

30-60 minutes each

2,000 yen each

Check availability About the experience

LOCATION

Directions

3543 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi 409-2524(View on Google Maps)

By train

Alight at JR Minobu Station and take the Yamanashi Kotsu bus bound for Minobusan to the final stop, "Minobusan" bus stop. From there, it's a short walk or taxi ride.

From Tokyo / Shizuoka

Tokaido Shinkansen → Shin-Fuji → Fuji → Limited Express Fujikawa → Minobu

Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes

From Nagano

Matsumoto → Limited Express Azusa/Kaiji → Kofu → Limited Express Fujikawa → Minobu

Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes

By car

Free parking for 10 regular cars is available in front of the temple lodging. If full, you may use the nearby Kuonji Sanmon free parking or Nakamachi free parking.

From Tokyo / Shizuoka

Shin-Tomei Expressway Gotemba JCT → Shin-Shimizu IC → National Route 52

Approx. 2 hours

From Nagano

Shiojiri-Kita IC → Chubu Odan Expressway → National Route 52

Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Guests use shared public baths (separate for men and women). There are two bathrooms with bathtubs; the larger one accommodates about four people at a time, and the other is smaller. Bathing hours are from 6:00 PM to around 9:00 PM (flexible upon request). Body soap and shampoo with conditioner are provided in the bathrooms.

Check-in is from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM (for plans including dinner, check-in is by 6:00 PM), and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are not available. Please contact us in advance if you expect to arrive late.

Dinner and breakfast can be included depending on your plan. Dinner is 6,000 yen (served from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM; please arrive by 6:00 PM). Breakfast is 3,000 yen (served from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM). Both meals feature local cuisine centered on locally sourced vegetables. Upon request, these can be changed to shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). For children, the main dish can be changed to items like fried chicken or a fried egg (the price remains the same as for adults). Please request meals at least 7 days before check-in.

There is free parking within the temple grounds. If it is full, you may use the nearby Kuonji Sanmon free parking or Nakamachi free parking lots.

Yes. Children aged 0-2 (sleeping with parents, no futon provided) stay free of charge. Children aged 3 and older are charged the same as adults and include a futon.

View all questions