Shorekiji — Ayabe's temple auberge

ABOUT TEMPLE HOTEL

About the temple lodging

Shorekiji is a temple lodging that bills itself as the "world's first temple auberge," available for exclusive rental by one group per day.

With the concept of a temple lodging that "calms the mind," head priest Hironobu Tamagawa acts as a dedicated concierge, proposing a customized stay from approximately 20 types of temple experiences, tailored to the guest's purpose and state of mind. A distinctive feature is the meal, which involves preparing an entire rare gamecock from the local Hasugamine farm, prompting reflection on taking a life. Shorekiji was selected for the Japan Tourism Agency's "Castle Stay / Temple Stay" project in 2020 and grand opened on June 1, 2021.

FACILITIES

Facilities

Check-in / check-out: IN 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM / OUT 10:00 AM Early check-in and late check-out are not available.
Amenities: ・Free parking on temple grounds (approx. 6 cars) ・Water facilities renovated in 2017, air conditioning throughout ・Refrigerator. Tea and coffee are provided for free use.
Toiletries: Samue (sleepwear), bath towel, face/hand towel, body soap, shampoo, rinse/conditioner, cleansing oil, lotion, milky lotion, cotton swabs, cotton pads, comb, razor, toothbrush set, hair tie, socks (winter only)
Not provided: Washing machine, dryer, in-room safe (safety box)
Other: ・Children are welcome to stay ・Pets are not allowed ・Smoking is prohibited in common areas (designated smoking area outdoors) ・Accommodation fees are generally paid in advance. Cards or cash can be used on-site.

LODGING

Guest rooms

The entire building is reserved for one group per day. Even if you book for two people, you will not share a room with other guests; the entire guest hall, with a capacity of six, will be exclusively for your group.
Rates vary depending on the date and number of guests. Please check availability and rates using the booking button.

Guest hall: A 100-year-old pure Japanese-style room, capacity 6 people, single futons. Features fusuma (sliding doors) painted 100 years ago by Japanese artist Keisui Ito. The space is approximately 40 tatami mats (73㎡), divided into three 8-tatami rooms by fusuma. Enjoy views of the river and mountains from the expansive windows.
Accommodation plans: Standard plan (from 40,000 yen/person, includes priest concierge, up to 11 experiences, dinner, and breakfast) Consecutive night plan (2 nights, includes experiences and two meals) Room-only plan (from 20,000 yen/room for up to 2 people, no experiences or meals)

Check availability

MEALS

Meals

Dinner is either a creative shojin ryori full course, which is a modern interpretation of traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, or a Kuromine Shamo gamecock full course, prepared using an entire rare gamecock raised at the local Hasugamine farm (this is not shojin ryori). Breakfast is a set meal featuring local rice and vegetables, and fish and salt from a neighboring town, served on lacquerware passed down through generations at Shorekiji. Depending on the season and weather, meals may be served on the deck.
Changes to the dinner menu are possible without additional charge. Meals are only offered as part of a plan and cannot be added separately.

Dinner6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Breakfast7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

View all plans About shojin ryori

ACTIVITIES

Experiences

The head priest will act as your personal concierge, suggesting activities from a selection of about 20 based on your preferences and mood for the day (may not be available if the priest is occupied).
Other activities include zazen, musical instrument experiences, Goshuin stamp making, morning service, sutra copying, samu (temple chores), meditation, rafting, and a Northern Kyoto lunch tour (additional charge, reservations required).

Bamboo grove zazen

Outdoor zazen, feeling the sounds of the wind and birds.

Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required

Sleeping zazen

Lie down under a 600-year-old tree and calm your mind.

Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required

Evening bell ringing

Ring the evening bell 13 times with a monk.

Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required

Monk's robe experience

Learn about and try on monk's robes and kesa. Photography in the garden is also permitted.

Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required

Goma prayer

Entrust your wishes to a goma wooden stick and burn it yourself.

5,000 yen per person, no reservation required

Water purification

Purify yourself seven times using well water. Not suitable for pregnant women or those with high blood pressure.

Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required

Check availability About the experience

LOCATION

Directions

45 Teramachi Donomae, Ayabe-shi, Kyoto 623-0033(View on Google Maps)

By train

Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from JR Ayabe Station (about 30 minutes on foot).

From Osaka/Kyoto

Kyoto → Limited Express Hashidate → Ayabe

Approx. 1 hour 35 minutes

From Nagoya

Tokaido Shinkansen → Kyoto → Limited Express Hashidate → Ayabe

Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes

From Tokyo

Tokaido Shinkansen → Kyoto → Limited Express Hashidate → Ayabe

Approx. 4 hours

By car

Approximately 10 minutes from Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway "Ayabe IC" or Kyoto Jukan Expressway "Kyotanba-Wachi IC". Free parking is available.

From Osaka/Kyoto

Kyoto Jukan Expressway → Kyotanba-Wachi IC

Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

From Nagoya

Shin-Meishin Expressway → Kyoto Jukan Expressway

Approx. 2 hours 50 minutes

From Tokyo

Shin-Tomei Expressway → Shin-Meishin Expressway → Kyoto Jukan Expressway

Approx. 6 hours 30 minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Check-in is from 3 PM to 6 PM, and check-out is by 10 AM. We do not offer early check-in or late check-out. Extending your stay may be possible if cancellations occur; please check availability on the booking page.

The main hall is approximately 73㎡ (40 tatami mats) and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Since the entire building is rented out to one group per day, even if you book for 2 people, you will not share the space with other guests. There are no separate rooms exclusively for 2 people.

Dinner is either a creative shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) full course or a Kuromine Shamo chicken full course. Breakfast is a local ingredient set meal. Please note that the chicken course is not shojin ryori. You can change your dinner menu without additional charge. Meals are only offered as part of a plan and cannot be added separately.

Many experiences can be booked at check-in, but some are recommended to be booked in advance. Some experiences depend on the schedule of the instructor or head priest and may not be available. Experiences are not open to non-staying guests. Morning service and zazen do not require advance booking, but their implementation will be decided on the day based on the temple's schedule.

Children are welcome to stay. Pets are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited in common areas. A designated smoking area is available outdoors.

View all questions