Souji-in Temple

8.8
Excellent
(243 reviews)

143 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0296, Japan

+81 736-56-2111

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Hotel Description

Sojiin Temple Stay

Nestled amidst lush gardens and steeped in tranquility, Souji-in Temple offers an authentic experience in Kōya, Japan, at 143 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0296. Just a short stroll away, guests can explore the revered Kongōbu-ji, the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, located only 6 minutes on foot. Additionally, the majestic Mount Kōya is just a 7-minute walk away, providing a stunning backdrop to this serene accommodation. The hotel beautifully combines traditional design elements with modern comfort, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the peaceful atmosphere of a Buddhist temple. The ornate interiors reflect the cultural heritage of the area, offering a unique and reflective environment that enhances the overall experience of guests seeking solace and inspiration.

Each room at Souji-in Temple features tatami flooring, which adds to the authenticity of the experience. The tranquil ambiance is complemented by comfortable sitting areas and modern amenities, including televisions, ensuring a relaxing retreat after a day of exploration. Some rooms even offer picturesque views of the surrounding gardens, making them a perfect place to unwind and recharge. With a focus on comfort and peaceful living, guests can expect an inviting atmosphere that encourages relaxation and reflection.

The temple provides a variety of special amenities, including gender-segregated bathhouses that offer a traditional bathing experience and a restaurant that serves delicious vegetarian cuisine, adhering to Buddhist dietary practices. Guests can also partake in worship services, deepening their connection to the local culture and spiritual practices. High-speed internet access is available, making it easy for visitors to stay connected during their stay.

Souji-in Temple is conveniently located for those who wish to explore the region. Nearby public transportation options include Gokurakui Station, just 18 minutes away by taxi and about 59 minutes on foot. For longer journeys, Osaka International Airport and Kansai International Airport are accessible within 1 to 2 hours by taxi, providing easy connectivity to major urban centers. The hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can effortlessly explore the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Kōya.

The health and safety of guests are paramount at Souji-in Temple. The establishment follows rigorous cleanliness protocols and safety measures to ensure a worry-free stay. This commitment to guest well-being allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in their experience, knowing they are in a safe and clean environment.

There are numerous activities to engage in during a stay at Souji-in Temple. Guests can wander through the beautifully manicured gardens, participate in meditation sessions, or attend traditional ceremonies held within the temple. The surrounding area is rich in cultural experiences, offering opportunities to connect with the local community and traditions.

Nearby top attractions include the historic Kongōbu-ji, which features exquisite artifacts and a serene rock garden, just a 4-minute walk away. The Kongōbu-ji Okuno-in, a prominent Buddhist temple housing the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, is a mere 7 minutes from the hotel. Additionally, the Danjo Garan complex, known for its towering trees and serene atmosphere, is just a 6-minute stroll. For those interested in art and history, the Koyasan Reihokan Museum is a 5-minute walk, showcasing an impressive collection of Japanese cultural relics. The Eko-in Temple, offering simple yet tranquil accommodations, is only 9 minutes away and adds to the spiritual journey of guests.

Dining options abound near Souji-in Temple, with a variety of restaurants catering to different tastes. Among the recommended eateries, guests can savor authentic Japanese cuisine at local establishments known for their quality and unique culinary experiences. Each dining venue offers a glimpse into the local food culture, making meal times an adventure in themselves.

In conclusion, Souji-in Temple warmly invites guests to experience its serene surroundings and rich cultural offerings. The unique combination of traditional accommodations, exceptional service, and vibrant local attractions makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway steeped in Japanese heritage.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Stunning gardens surrounding the temple offer a peaceful retreat.

2. Tatami-floored rooms provide an authentic Japanese lodging experience.

3. Gender-segregated bathhouses enhance the traditional experience.

4. Vegetarian dining options reflect local Buddhist customs.

5. Convenient access to public transportation and major airports.

6. Nearby historical sites enrich the cultural journey of guests.

7. High-speed internet keeps guests connected during their stay.

8. Guests can participate in worship services and meditation.

9. Commitment to health and safety ensures a worry-free stay.


8.4 Excellent

Location rating

Top sights

Kongobu-ji
4 min
Kongobu-ji Okuno-in
7 min
Kongobu-ji Danjo Garan (Elevated Precinct)
6 min
Eko-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging)
9 min
Koyasan Reihokan Museum
5 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in19:30
Check-out10:00
Location rating8.4
Nearest airportOsaka International Airport (Itami Airport)
Travel time to airport2 hr

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Sun, Nov 17
Check-out: Mon, Nov 18
    Agoda

    $1,104

    Vio.com

    $1,081

    goseek.com

    $1,081

    Booking.com

    $1,310

    Hotels.com

    $1,201

    skyticket

    $1,196


Location

143 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0296, Japan

Airports:

Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)

Taxi: 2 hr

Transit: 3 hr 5 min

Tokushima Airport

Taxi: 3 hr 24 min

Transit: 5 hr 49 min

Kobe Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 12 min

Transit: 3 hr 16 min

Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Taxi: 1 hr 23 min

Transit: 2 hr 36 min

Transit:

Gokurakubashi Station

Taxi: 18 min

Walking: 59 min

Reihokan-mae

Walking: 7 min

Kii-Kamiya Station

Taxi: 17 min

Walking: 1 hr 26 min

Kongobuji

Walking: 3 min


Nearby locations

8.4

Excellent Location

Surrounded by gardens, these rooms in an ornate Buddhist temple are a 6-minute walk from Kongōbu-ji, the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, and 7 minutes on foot from Mount Kōya.

Top Attractions


Amenities and Facilities

Activities

Banquet hall

Pets

No pets

Parking & transportation

Parking

Public bath

Public bath

Accessibility

Wheelchair rental

Food & drink

Restaurant

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

Rooms

Air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

5.3

8 reviews

Wonderful
2
Excellent
1
Good
0
Below Average
2
Not Good
3
Cover Image for Alies Stefan

Alies Stefan

4/5
A Japanese-style hotel/temple adapted for foreigners. It is not a ryokan. Many controversies are generated on both sides, since for the monks you must respect and adapt to their culture while foreigners look for a ryokan in Koyasan.The problem I see is that for the price you expect a high-level ryokan and that confuses everything and you leave not so happy.It is not the best place to have a religious experience as in the Koyasan cemetery in the morning you will find a lot of Buddhist prayers and meditations.Another point about the 9pm curfew is not real, there is always a small secret entrance/exit door 24 hours a day (just ask for it).In conclusion: if you find it at a good price, take it but don't expect the top ryokan

Cover Image for Robin Grosscurt

Robin Grosscurt

5/5
Beautiful temple! Dinner is quite an experience, as is the morning prayer. Definitely worth the money.

Cover Image for Eline W

Eline W

2/5
Way too much money for what you get, and an allergy that was reported several times was handled very sloppily. It concerned a serious sesame allergy, which we had already announced in advance by email. At dinner the staff themselves did not ask or refer to it, so to be on the safe side we showed a special Japanese card that we took with us on our trip, which explains the allergy very clearly. The ticket was checked and we were assured that everything was sesame-free. After our own closer inspection, we asked if they were sure, because 1 of the dishes did seem to contain sesame. Oh oopsie indeed, another bowl was quickly taken away.At breakfast the next morning, we repeated the allergy just to be sure, and showed the allergy card again. "No problem", the response was nonchalant, "no sesame". We asked if they were sure, and they confirmed. But when my sister took a small bite of one of the dishes, she immediately felt that something was wrong. She immediately had an allergic reaction. Fortunately, she had only taken a very small bite and had medication with her that allowed her to somewhat control it.Because she wasn't feeling well, she went back to our room and I walked past the reception to mention the sesame (also to prevent subsequent visitors with a sesame allergy from being served the same dish). It was denied three times that there was sesame in the dish. I typed the question via Google Translate to find out exactly what ingredients were in it, because that would mean that she has another allergy that she is not aware of. Only after asking 3-4 times did the chef finally come to the reception and admit that there had been sesame in the dish. Sloppy! This did not go wrong in any other restaurant during our trip through Japan, even in the simplest establishments, very careful action was taken after reading the allergy card.Furthermore, a nice room, but not everything is clean. Thin mattresses on the floor and the mattresses of the "normal beds" felt very clammy and unpleasant, and the room smelled strong and unpleasant. The pillows were filled with kernels, making it difficult to sleep well here. And that for around €900 per night feels like a scam, also because the "monk experience" has very little to it and mainly feels like a tourist trap. Well, we walked into it with our eyes open ;-).

Cover Image for Piotr Żurek

Piotr Żurek

2/5
Not worth the money or the hype. Neither transcendental, life-changing and not even relaxing.+1 starFood was simple, traditional and quite tasty, it’s presentation was stunning.+1 starThe overall ambience and clean, nice onsen (but with 0 privacy, in case you needed it)That’s it for the positives.To me, this place is a tourist trap, disguised as an „experience”. For this price, you’d think it includes some sort of „storytelling”, which would give you at least a basic idea of monks lives, but it’s only staff dressed up as monks, serving a bunch of awkward europeans. You can wake up for a morning ceremony, if you want to see the chanting, but that’s about it.Mattresses are hard, and groat-filled pillows are basically like concrete. Loud AC.Dinner is at 5:30 pm, breakfast at 7:30 am, both with similar food. Curfew is at 9 pm - that means a closed gate and no lights.Koyasan itself is quite beautiful, especially the cemetery. Not ready for this amount of tourists though, since all food was sold-out by 3pm, and even the restaurant owners were storming the nearby convinience stores. And there was hardly any crowd…

Cover Image for Damien The Next

Damien The Next

1/5
Terrible experience for crazy money. A proper turist trap. Avoid at all cost!

Room 1

Service 3

Location2

Cover Image for Justyna O

Justyna O

1/5
Not worth the insane price. The food is good, the service is nice, but the rooms and bathrooms are a joke. Be prepared for a bathroom with no curtains or privacy, sleeping on a hard floor, and a 9pm curfew. I recommend arriving in the morning, visiting the cemeteries, and heading back to the city.

Room 1

Service 5

Location3

Cover Image for cesare antonini

cesare antonini

1/5
I stayed with my family in this property for one night and it was an experience to forget. The structure is sold as a temple when it now has very little of a temple, being a dated and low-level hotel structure. With the excuse of the temple you are also forced to eat an inedible vegetarian dinner at 5.30pm. You wonder why so early, well they were so kind to get it early so you can go for an after dinner ride before the 9pm curfew. After a nice, albeit uncomfortable rest given that we sleep on the floor, a breakfast awaits us with the exact same inedible vegetables as the night before. When the time came to leave we asked to take our luggage from the room to the exit, we waited 15 minutes and even though we repeated it, the luggage was not seen and we had to carry it down a nice steep staircase ourselves. I strongly advise you not to stay here and in general to waste a day in Koyasan which compared to the rest of Japan has very little to offer

Cover Image for Raya Fares

Raya Fares

5/5
Our stay at here was truly special. The accommodations were simple yet very comfortable, and the staff went out of their way to be kind and helpful. It’s also conveniently just a short walk from the bus stop, which made getting there really easy. If you’re unsure about the onsen experience, don’t be—it was actually really relaxing and added a nice touch to the stay.The meals were all vegetarian and beautifully presented. The chef and staff explained each dish to us, which made it so much more interesting. And trust me, the food was both delicious and surprisingly filling!One of the best parts was the morning ceremony—it felt so spiritual and peaceful. Afterwards, we had a great discussion that was translated into English, and it left us feeling humbled and enlightened. Overall, it was such a memorable experience, and I can’t recommend it enough if you’re in Koyasan