Temple Hotel Shimanobo

Mount Minobu in the future — Nearby Events

About the shukubo

Minobusan Togaya Yogoin Shimanobo (Nichiren-shu). 3543 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture. This shukubo (temple lodging) is the oldest in the Nichiren-shu head temple, Minobusan, celebrating its 750th anniversary in Reiwa 6 (2024). Located at the entrance of the Togaya pilgrimage route, it is also conveniently close to the temple town for shopping. Seasonal flowers such as parent-child weeping cherry trees, Ukon cherry trees, and over 60 red weeping cherry trees and azaleas on the back mountain are also highlights.

Shukubo were originally buildings where monks in training would sleep, but with the spread of temple and shrine pilgrimages during the Heian period, nobles, samurai, and general pilgrims also began to stay. Currently, not only group pilgrimages but also individuals and non-Nichiren-shu followers can stay. When staying, it is recommended to wake up early and attend the morning service (morning sutra chanting) at Kuonji, the head temple of Nichiren-shu.

History of the temple

Founded on February 8, Kenji 1 (1275), by the elder monk Hizenko Eicho Ajari Nichiden Shonin (originally a Shingon-shu mountain ascetic named Zenchi Hoin). Nichiden Shonin was originally the chief priest of Komuroyama (now Fujikawa-cho, an ancient temple that governed Shingon-shu temples throughout the Kanto region), but he challenged Nichiren Daishonin, who had entered Minobusan, to a debate on Buddhist doctrine and a contest of spiritual power. According to legend, Zenchi Hoin chanted Shingon mantras and floated a large rock in the air, but when Daishonin chanted the Lotus Sutra and the Odaimoku, he was unable to bring the rock down and was defeated. Although he surrendered on the spot, his inner anger did not subside, and on Daishonin's return journey, he suggested a rest at Jotakuji (then a Shingon-shu temple), famous for its inverted ginkgo tree, and conspired with the temple's chief priest, Hoki Ajari, to offer poisoned botamochi (rice cakes) to assassinate him. However, upon witnessing a white dog that ate the botamochi given by Daishonin vomit blood and die instantly, he recognized Daishonin's divine protection and asked to become his disciple. It is said that Daishonin admonished him with a waka poem, "There will be no rain that falls astray on its own; it must be the wind that strikes the window at midnight," and bestowed upon him the name "Nichiden."

Nichiden Shonin thereafter founded his hermitage, naming it "Yogoin Shimanobo," to repent and serve by Daishonin's side. Initially, it was not in the Togaya area but above the town-operated parking lot, and since Nichiden Shonin himself called it "Daigo," the entire area came to be known as Daigodani. After three years of constant service at Shimanobo, Nichiden Shonin returned to Komuroyama, renamed the temple Myohoji, and converted it to Nichiren-shu. Shimanobo was later solidified by the second head priest, Jikkyo Ajari Nichiin Shonin, the sixth head priest of Minobusan Kuonji, and the third head priest, Chogakuin Nichigi Shonin, Nichiden Shonin's younger brother. In Bunsei 13 (1830), it exchanged land with Shuetsubo and moved to its current location (from Daigodani to Togaya). Including successive head priests through several mergers, there have been well over a hundred generations, and since settling in its current location, the current chief priest, Junko Sato, is the 33rd generation. The main hall houses valuable Buddhist statues from the Muromachi period, made in Meio 3 (1495).

Rooms and Rates

Photos	Room Type	Capacity	Features
	Japanese-style room	Capacity 10 people	Various sizes available to match the number of guests
	Special Japanese-style room	Capacity 2 people	Newly renovated in 2024, 1st floor, with in-room washbasin, Japanese-style room overlooking a Japanese garden courtyard

While maintaining its historic structure, the building has undergone repeated renovations for comfortable stays, and all rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating. Wi-Fi is available in all guest rooms. Rates vary depending on the date and number of guests.Please check availability and rates from the booking button for each room.

Japanese-style room

We offer Japanese-style rooms of various sizes to accommodate your group. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating, TV, and Wi-Fi.

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Special Japanese-style room

This is a first-floor Japanese-style room newly renovated in 2024, with a washbasin inside the room. It offers a beautiful view of the Japanese garden courtyard. TV and Wi-Fi are available.

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Meals

Meals primarily feature seasonal home-style dishes centered on locally sourced vegetables, and healthy dishes using yuba, a specialty of Minobu. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy handmade konjac. The proprietress (from Shimoda, Izu, with experience as a private housekeeper in Tokyo), the young proprietress (Level 2 Home Cooking Skills Test, Level 2 Food Lifestyle Advisor), and the head priest all hold cooking licenses and prepare the meals.

• Dinner6,000 yen (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM; please arrive by around 6:00 PM)/Breakfast3,000 yen (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM)
• If desired,shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine)can be provided. For children, the main dish can be changed to fried chicken, fried eggs, etc. (the price is the same as for adults).
• Please request mealsup to 7 days before check-in.

Public baths and amenities

You will use the shared public baths (separate for men and women). There are two bathrooms with bathtubs; the larger one can accommodate about 4 people at once, and the other is smaller. Bathing hours are from around 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

• Provided items: Toothbrush set, bath towel, face/hand towel, yukata, slippers, tea set (pot with hot water in the room). In the bathroom: body soap, shampoo with conditioner, cotton swabs, hair dryer.
• Items not provided: Kitchen, refrigerator, washing machine, safe, shampoo (separate), conditioner, cleansing oil, lotion, cotton pads, comb, razor, socks, bottled water.
• There is a juice vending machine in the building. The premises include a lounge, dining hall, and garden. There is also a well-maintained walking path through the cherry blossom trees on the back mountain, leading to the shrine at the summit (about a 5-minute walk one way).

Regarding your stay

• Check-in / Check-out: IN 15:00-20:00 (for plans with dinner, by 18:00) / OUT 10:00
• Parking: Free (10 spaces)
• Payment: We accept card, cash, and QR payments on-site.

Facilities and Amenities

• Japanese-style room (capacity 10 people) / Special Japanese-style room (capacity 2 people)
• Wi-Fi in all guest rooms
• Air conditioning and heating in all rooms
• Shared public bath (separate for men and women)
• Hairdryer
• TV
• IN 15:00-20:00 / OUT 10:00
• Free parking (10 spaces)
• From JR Minobu Station, take the bus to "Minobusan" stop
• Steep stairs (some slopes available)
• No pets allowed
• No smoking in common areas (smoking area next to the main hall)

Experiences

Monks are on staff and offer修行体験 (training experiences) for guests (may not be available depending on the resident priest's schedule).

• Morning service (Kuonji)— Around 5:30 AM - 45-60 minutes (the large bell rings 30 minutes prior)・Free・No reservation required・Participation optional. You can experience a ritual where dozens of monks chant sutras simultaneously in the main hall of Kuonji Temple.
• Evening service— Around 6:00 PM - Approximately 60 minutes・Included in accommodation fee・No reservation required (on-site on the day). Monks chant sutras in the main hall of Shimanobo (includes a Dharma talk). Individual prayers are also accepted.
• Meditation— Approximately 20 minutes, 1,000 yen. In the main hall of Shimanobo, you will regulate your breathing and quietly confront yourself. Please consult on-site for available times.
• Shodaigyo— 60 minutes, 1,000 yen. Under the guidance of the head priest, you will chant the Odaimoku while meditating.
• Sutra copying / Buddha statue copying— 30-60 minutes each, 2,000 yen each (payment on-site). This is a practice of focusing and forgetting worldly thoughts by carefully writing each stroke. Sutra copying involves transcribing sutras, while Buddha statue copying involves drawing images of Buddha.
• Samu— 30 minutes~ (consultation possible), included in accommodation fee. This is a practice of sweeping away dirt and purifying one's own mind through cleaning the temple grounds.

For meditation, Shodaigyo, sutra copying/Buddha statue copying, and Samu, please consult in advance or on-site. For advance applications,after booking your accommodation, please use the message function on the booking siteor thecontact form on this websiteto inquire. We also accept consultations before booking.

We also accept prayers, consultations, and memorial services through our temple's secret prayers at any time, and young people are welcome to apply.

As all services are handled by monks,Please note that your requested date and time may not be available due to memorial services or temple duties..

Access

3543 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi 409-2524

• Train/Bus: After getting off at JR Minobu Station, take the Yamanashi Kotsu route bus
• Nearby Sightseeing: For information on how to tour Kuonji, Mt. Shichimen, the best times to see weeping cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and restaurants in the temple town, please refer to the
• Minobusan Tourist Guide.Frequently Asked QuestionsBefore Booking

Here are answers to common questions for those considering a reservation. Procedures after booking (changes, cancellations, check-in) are detailed

later in this section

.What are the check-in and check-out times?Check-in is from

Is my reservation confirmed? I see an unfamiliar amount on my bank statement.

Your reservation is confirmed. The amount displayed on your bank or card statement immediately after booking is often an