In this guide
Koyasan Rengejō-in (Rengejoin)
Rengejō-in (Rengejoin), a traditional Buddhist temple lodging (known in Japanese as shukubō), is located in Kōyasan, 500 m from Kongōbu-ji Temple, near the Mount Kōya cable car station. Rengejō-in features distinctive temple architecture, a traditional Japanese garden, and 46 Japanese-style guest rooms. The temple provides shared baths for both women and men, and serves shōjin ryōri—Buddhist monk vegetarian cuisine—to guests.
By staying at Rengejō-in, guests have an excellent opportunity to take part in meditation and morning prayers. In the area around Rengejō-in, Danjō Garan and Kongōbu-ji Temple are illuminated at night, making for a pleasant walk after dinner.
Lodge information
- Style: Shukubō (Buddhist temple lodging)
- Address: 700 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama
- Telephone:
- Check-in: from 15:00
- Check-out: before 09:00
- Number of rooms: 46
- Price per person: ¥16,500–¥27,000
Access
Take the Nankai Rinkan bus from “Koyasan” Station on the Nankai Kōyasan cable line. The property is very close to the bus stop “Isshinguchi.”
Types of rooms
Special Suite (Kihin-shitsu) Approximately 33 m², with a bathroom, sink, and toilet. A Japanese garden can be viewed from the veranda and the bathroom. Traditional Japanese paintings decorate the walls.
Suite (Tokubetsu-shitsu) Approximately 29 m², with a sink and toilet. A Japanese garden can be viewed from the veranda. Traditional Japanese paintings decorate the walls.
Standard Room (Fusuma-jikiri) Approximately 15 m². These rooms are separated from adjacent rooms by Japanese sliding doors (fusuma), which are decorated with Japanese paintings.
Shukubō
Shukubō is an accommodation experience where travelers lodge within a Buddhist temple. At Rengejō-in, guests can enjoy historic buildings and gardens, as well as elements of temple life such as morning and evening prayers, shōjin ryōri cuisine, and sutra transcription—offering a moment to step away from everyday routines and rest both body and soul.
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15:00 Check-in
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A bell rings five minutes before the morning and evening ceremonies
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17:00 Ajikan meditation Every evening, the temple’s monks practice Ajikan meditation and Asokukan (meditative breathing). Visitors are encouraged to experience this together with the monks.
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18:00 Dinner Dinner is served in a large hall divided by fusuma, and the monks will serve it. The meal is shōjin ryōri, a style of cuisine prepared in Buddhist temples. It consists mainly of vegetables and is suitable for vegans.
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Bathing and sleep
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6:00 Morning religious service
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7:00 Breakfast
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9:00 Checkout
Social media
- Website: https://www.rengejoin.jp/en/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rengejoin/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36NKX9nGCcINPCZ81GPAww
