夜の高山善光寺 本堂
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Takayama Zenkoji

TAKAYAMA-ZENKOJI TEMPLE HOTEL

Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City

ABOUT TEMPLE HOTEL

About the temple lodging

Takayama Zenkoji (Jodo sect) is a temple that welcomes visitors regardless of nationality, religion, or gender. It is a branch temple of Shinshu Zenkoji Daihongan in Nagano Prefecture, enshrining the Amida Nyorai (Zenkoji Nyorai) in the Ikkosan-son style. Only about 20 temples have been granted the "branch temple" designation by Shinshu Zenkoji Daihongan, and Takayama Zenkoji is the only one in Gifu Prefecture. Like Shinshu Zenkoji, it also features an underground Kaidan-meguri.

Since its establishment, the temple has provided temple lodging for pilgrims traveling from afar. Today, it has become an international lodging facility, attracting visitors from all over the world to Takayama, with over 95% of its guests being international. The kitchen is also open to all guests for free use.

高山善光寺の本堂花見の間着付け体験

FACILITIES

Facilities

Check-in / Check-out
IN 15:00-18:30 (self check-in after 18:30) / OUT 11:00 There is no curfew. Staff are available until 18:30; after 18:30, the entrance is locked and check-in is self-service (please notify us in advance if you will arrive after 18:30).
Room amenities
All rooms include a single futon, fan, air conditioner, towels, toothbrush, hairdryer, and Wi-Fi.
Bathrooms and kitchen
Depending on the room type, some rooms have a private shower and toilet, while others use shared bathrooms (reservation required) and toilets. The kitchen is shared.
Parking
Approximately 4 free spaces in front of the main hall on the temple grounds.
Other
・Children aged 3 and under stay free (baby cribs are ¥500) ・For stays under 3 nights, cleaning and linen changes are not provided ・Pets are not permitted

LODGING

Guest rooms

Choose from 6 room types to suit your group size and purpose. By combining rooms, we can accommodate up to 30 guests, and you can also inquire about renting all 6 rooms for private use.
Rates vary by date and number of guests. Please check availability and prices using the reservation button.

Guest rooms
Hanami-no-ma (3 guests), Yukimi-no-ma (5 guests), Kazami-no-ma (9 guests), Tsukimi-no-ma (3 guests), Sakurami-no-ma (2 guests), Sorami-no-ma (8 guests)
Accommodation plans
Room-only plan Plan with experiences (zazen, sutra copying, etc., as options; reservations required by 6 PM the day before) Workation plan (rental of the main hall, shared lounge, and meeting space)

ACTIVITIES

Experiences

Discover 10 types of experiences available at Takayama Zenkoji, with photos and descriptions. You can proceed to the dedicated reservation page for each experience by clicking "Book this experience."
Please check the respective reservation pages for dates, availability, latest prices, and participation conditions.

高山善光寺の体験

Meditation

With careful guidance from a monk, even beginners can become familiar with meditation. This is a time to calm your mind in the tranquility of the main hall.

所要時間Approx. 1 hour料金3,000 yen

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高山善光寺の体験

Onigiri and miso soup making experience

Make your own onigiri and miso soup using local ingredients. No cooking experience is required to enjoy this taste of Japanese food culture.

所要時間45-60 minutes料金3,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Mochi pounding experience

Pound rice with a wooden mallet, shape it, and enjoy it with toppings. This is an experience of traditional Japanese culture.

所要時間60 minutes料金6,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Original Zukoh (incense powder) making

Choose a scent from natural incense ingredients to match your mood and physical condition. Create your own Zukoh and become familiar with Japanese fragrances.

所要時間From 30 minutes料金5,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Table-style tea ceremony

Enjoy a tea ceremony while seated in a chair, without kneeling. Guided by an instructor, you can experience Japanese culture and the spirit of hospitality.

所要時間45 minutes料金13,000 yen/2 people

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高山善光寺の体験

Temple yoga

Enjoy yoga in the main hall, in a unique atmosphere. Please wear comfortable clothing. Mats are available for free rental.

所要時間1 hour料金3,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Kaidan-meguri

This is a spiritual practice where you navigate through the darkness beneath the main hall by touch, searching for a key. It's a unique temple experience to walk without relying on light.

料金500 yen

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高山善光寺の体験

Sutra copying

This is a practice of earnestly copying Buddhist teachings. Even beginners can calmly engage in this activity while focusing on their own prayers.

所要時間1 hour料金1,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Tracing Buddhist images

Trace the principal image of Amitabha Nyorai in the main hall. Move your brush carefully and with concentration, feeling gratitude for each day.

所要時間Approx. 30 min.料金1,000 yen/person

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高山善光寺の体験

Kimono dressing experience

Experience wearing a kimono, or a yukata in summer, with the help of a professional dresser. Why not explore the streets of Takayama in traditional attire?

所要時間Men approx. 15 min. / Women approx. 30 min.料金Men 3,000 yen/person / Women 6,000 yen/person (includes hair styling)

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LOCATION

Directions

4-3 Tenman-cho, Takayama-shi, Gifu 506-0025(View on Google Maps)
TEL 0577-32-8470

By train

Approx. 5-minute walk from JR Takayama Station East Exit.

From Nagoya

Nagoya → Limited Express Hida → Takayama

所要時間Approx. 2 hours 35 minutes
From Kanazawa

Kanazawa → Takaoka → Limited Express Hida → Takayama

所要時間Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
From Tokyo

Tokaido Shinkansen → Nagoya → Limited Express Hida → Takayama

所要時間Approx. 4 hours 20 minutes

By car

Free parking for about 4 cars is available in front of the main hall on the temple grounds. Please enter directly from the main street through the main gate.

From Nagoya

Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Takayama IC

所要時間Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes
From Kanazawa

Hokuriku Expressway → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway

所要時間Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
From Tokyo

Chuo Expressway / Nagano Expressway → Matsumoto IC → National Route 158 (via Abo Tunnel) → Takayama

所要時間Approx. 4 hours 50 minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Depending on the room type, some rooms have a private shower and toilet, while others use shared bathrooms (reservation required) and toilets. The kitchen is shared. For shared private baths and showers, please consult with us about times at check-in to avoid busy periods.

Free parking for about 4 cars is available in front of the main hall on the temple grounds. Please enter directly from the main street through the main gate. Reservations are not mandatory, but it would be helpful if you could inform us of your estimated arrival time in advance so we can manage parking availability.

There is no curfew, but after 6:30 PM, check-in is self-service and the entrance will be locked. If you plan to arrive after 6:30 PM, please inform us in advance.

Yes, you can leave your luggage before check-in time. We may ask you to inform us of your estimated arrival time in advance.

We sincerely apologize, but we do not allow pets to stay.

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RESERVE

Reservations

For details on accommodation plans and experience programs, and to make a reservation,
please use our dedicated reservation site.

Temple lodging reservations

Temple history

The principal image (御本尊) of Takayama Zenkoji is the Ichiko Sanzon Amida Nyorai statue. It depicts Amida Nyorai in the center, Kannon Bodhisattva on the right, and Seishi Bodhisattva on the left, all three standing within a single halo. This is an absolute hidden Buddha.

Behind the main hall, there is a garden that recreates the parable of the "Two Rivers and White Path," a unique teaching of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect. It expresses that by crossing the stone bridge over the pond while chanting the nenbutsu, one can attain rebirth in the Pure Land.

Next to the temple gate, facing the national highway, stands a large stone monument inscribed with "Namu Amida Butsu" by Tokuhon Shonin, a revered monk from Kii Province (Wakayama Prefecture). The temple grounds also house a memorial for war dead and a Kobo Daishi Hall, which enshrines a holed stone said to be the mark of Kobo Daishi's staff.