What is Shukubo? Japanese Buddhist Temple Stays

Japan is a country famous for its deeply rooted spiritual and religious practices, with some of its most beautiful attractions including centuries-old Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. So, if you want to truly immerse yourself in this rich history and culture, there’s truly nothing quite like a traditional Japanese temple stay.

A temple stay in Japan allows you to witness — and participate in — the sacred rituals of Buddhists, including early mornings filled with meditation and prayer, vegan cuisine known as shojin ryori and the charmingly minimalist temple rooms where you’ll spend the night. 

If you’re already packing a bag for this unforgettable experience, we get it. Here’s what to expect during a Japanese temple stay, including a couple of places to experience a temple stay for yourself.

Shukubo (宿坊) combines the Japanese words for shuku (lodging) and bou (monk), creating a phrase for a place where monks stay — or, in the case of temple stays, a lodging run by monks.

A temple stay gives you a unique opportunity to experience the beautiful, mindful atmosphere provided by Japan’s sacred grounds. You’ll get firsthand insights into the simplistic Buddhist lifestyle and see a side of Japan that is completely removed from the neon lights and energetic streets you may have experienced up until that point.

Shukubo first existed to give Buddhist monks a place to rest and refresh on their long pilgrimages between sacred sites. However, during the Edo period, when regular townspeople got their first taste of travel and tourism, temple and shrine visits grew in popularity.

At this time, larger lodging houses were built at major temples and shrines to accommodate this growing demand for places to rest, eat and sleep while traveling; the touristic nature of Japanese temple stays was born.

These days, many temples have retained this tendency to welcome travelers for a night, even going as far as to transform traditional temple lodgings into more modern, stylish inns or ryokan.

Despite their entrance into the modern era, many still offer serene surroundings, a space for peace and meditation, and traditional Buddhist practices like meditation and prayer. You just may also have a fancy Toto toilet waiting in your room afterwards…

Your room will vary greatly depending on how traditional the temple lodgings are, but there are a few things you can likely count on.

In a temple stay, your room is probably going to retain its traditional tatami floors, sliding doors and a futon for sleeping. It may also have a low table for dining and a small area by the window with seats and a view out into nature.

During winter, you may also find a heater provided.

Depending on your chosen accommodation, you may have a private bathroom, but it is common for temple stays to have a shared bathroom.

One of the elements of a temple stay that may be hard to adjust to at first is the morning prayers, which tend to begin at around 6 am (though time varies by the time of year). These tend to last for about 30-45 minutes, followed by a typical Buddhist breakfast at around 7 am. 

Many Japanese temples also hold meditation (or additional prayer) sessions in the afternoon, designed to help one better understand themselves and the world around them with the recital of prayers, chants or breathwork.

One common chant that you may hear during either meditation is “om mani padme hum,” which translates literally to “praise to the jewel in the lotus." This chant is believed to:

• Inspire godly attention and compassion 

• Create a space for inner peace, compassion and enlightenment 

• Work as a reminder of how all living things are connected

• Achieve the mindful nature and speech of Buddha 

Though waking up early for prayers and meditation may seem difficult at first, this is often one of the experiences that travelers find most fulfilling.

Shojin ryori is the traditional Buddhist cuisine of monks. It centers on a plant-based diet that avoids meat, instead focusing on tofu as a source of protein. Alongside tofu is a selection of seasonal vegetables, creating an ever-changing combination of textures, flavors and colors.

Shojin ryori is as much for the mind and eye as it is for the stomach, allowing you to appreciate the bounty of nature. It will often include tofu in a variety of forms (such a yuba tofu skin or koyadofu freeze-dried tofu), pickled vegetables, miso soup and many more small plates.

Find out more: Where to Eat Shojin Ryori in Kyoto

Another element of a Japan trip that you may get to experience at a Japanese temple stay is a dip in a public bath or hot spring. This is a nervewracking experience for many newcomers to Japan, but once you get over the fact that you’re nude around strangers, it can be extremely relaxing.

Imagine soaking in an onsen, enriched with natural minerals, while looking out across the picturesque surroundings of your chosen temple: striking mountain ranges, lush forests and scenic landscape that will become the backdrop of your memories from Japan.

Three hours away from central Tokyo by bus is the beautiful Mt. Minobu, a mountain with an ancient Buddhist temple that’s just waiting to welcome you into over 800 years of history.

When you first arrive at Kakurinbo, which certainly falls in the more stylish side of the Japanese temple stays, you’ll be shown to your room before getting your first taste of the vegetarian shojin ryori Buddhist meals. 

Your evening will be filled with unique festival activities, bringing the mountain to life with beating drums and chanting monks. Once you’re suitably festival-ed out, head back to your room for a relaxing night in the calm surrounds of your tatami-filled temple room.

The next morning, practice the art of shakyo, copying out Buddhist sutras at Kunonju Temple. Afterwards, limber up in a gentle yoga class, followed by another shojin ryori breakfast.

For another glimpse into the area’s rich history, you can also add on a washi paper-making class, held at Yamaju Washi Paper Shop. This includes transport to and from the class, which means a chance to sit back and take in the wonderful, winding roads of Japan’s mountain towns.

Japanese temple stays have become synonymous with Koyasan (Mt. Koya), a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50 different temples offering shukubo temple stay experiences. As a result, most people think of Koyasan when they think of shukubo.

Note: Bring cash, because most temples are keeping things traditional with notes and coins, not contactless and Apple Pay.

As Koyasan is based in the southern prefecture of Wakayama, getting to Koyasan from Tokyo will take around six hours and cost roughly ¥17,000 each way — including 2.5 hours on the bullet train and a good amount of swapping between trains and buses. However, the views will be more than worth it.

For a more efficient use of your time, we’d recommend merging your Koyasan trip with a trip to Osaka. From Osaka’s Namba Station, it only takes about 2.5 hours to reach Mt. Koya, coming in at an affordable price of approximately ¥2,000. 

If you’d like to test out the traditional shojin ryori cuisine before you book a Japanese temple stay, browse where you can try shojin ryori in Tokyo and Kyoto. Going completely the other way? Explore the best restaurants and food tours in northern Japan.

While there is no exact dress code for Japanese temples or shrines, think about what would be most appropriate for a somewhat considerate country and setting. Relaxed clothes may be fine, especially if the temple you’re visiting is popular among tourists, but ideally you want to err on the side of caution and opt for smart-casual clothes. 

Think knee-length shorts, skirts or dresses, covered shoulders and closed shoes.

Koyasan is famous as a site of natural beauty and an important location for the history of Buddhism in Japan. It is the world headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, and features over 100 different temples for travelers to explore and worship at.

You can expect to get up early for morning prayers, meals made of vegetarian ingredients, meditation, a traditional Japanese room for sleeping and shared public bathing spaces.

Here’s how you pray at a Buddhist temple: 

1. Bow deeply twice

2. Clap your hands twice

3. Join your palms when offering your prayers

4. Bow once more.

If you’re unsure, watch the person before you and copy what they do.

Put simply, temples are of Buddhist origin, while shrines are of Shinto. You can usually tell the difference as temples have Buddhist statues and a large incense burner, whereas Shinto shrines are famous for their striking red torii gates, another iconic symbol of Japan.