Temple Hotel Shorekiji

About the shukubo

Shorekiji. 45 Teramachi Donomae, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture. This is a private shukubo rented out to one group per day, proclaiming itself the "world's first temple auberge."

Based on the concept of a shukubo (temple lodging) that calms the mind, Chief Priest Hironobu Tamagawa acts as a dedicated concierge, proposing a customized stay from approximately 20 types of temple experiences tailored to the guest's purpose and state of mind. Limited to one group per day, the entire guest hall, with a capacity of six people, can be used exclusively by the booked guests. A distinctive feature is the meal, which involves sourcing a whole rare gamecock from the local Hasugamine farm, encouraging reflection on the act of taking a life. It was selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Castle Stay/Temple Stay" project in 2020 and grand opened on June 1, 2021.

History of the Temple

It is said to have begun in Tenkei 5 (942), when Saint Kuya carved and enshrined a Kannon statue. In Shoryaku 2 (991), due to the efficacy of prayers for rain, Emperor Ichijo bestowed the then-era name "Shoryaku" as the temple's name. Successive lords of the Ayabe domain also devoutly protected it as a prayer temple, and many of the current main hall, gate, priest's living quarters, and guardian deity hall were built by Saint Tanshin approximately 190 years ago.

Chief Priest Hironobu Tamagawa

Chief Priest Hironobu Tamagawa says, "Whether they are parishioners or not, I want to show something essential to the hearts of people living today. I want to help them transform accumulated history, teachings, methods, bonds, and feelings into energy for tomorrow, a switch for their minds, and self-affirmation." In addition to religious ceremonies such as the Great Goma Fire Ritual, Segaki, and Higan services, the temple also hosts non-religious events such as tanka poetry, goeika (Buddhist hymns), dinner parties, the "Hagi Festival" organized by the Women's Association, the "Summer Festival" three-generation BBQ organized by the Youth and Young Adult Department, and even professional wrestling and fashion shows.

The temple grounds, overlooking the Yura River and surrounded by mountains, feature a 600-year-old zelkova tree. In the bamboo forest on the back mountain, guests can harvest bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, yuzu, sansho, plums, quince, and persimmons, and enjoy a sky full of stars at night (sometimes vegetables are delivered from nearby parishioners). The temple is also rich in cultural assets, with a garden designated as a scenic spot by Kyoto Prefecture, a Senju Kannon statue designated as a cultural asset by the city, a Nirvana painting designated as an important cultural property, and a palanquin associated with the Kuki family, all conveying over 1000 years of history.

Goshuin

Since autumn 2018, the chief priest has been hand-writing each goshuin using local Kurotani Washi paper. Mail order is also available, and there is a wide variety of goshuin, from premium goshuin to seasonal limited editions.

Rooms and Rates

Photos	Guest Rooms	Capacity	Features
	Guest Hall	Capacity: 6 people	100-year-old pure Japanese-style room, 3 eight-tatami-mat rooms that can be partitioned by fusuma, and a wall of windows overlooking the river and mountains.

This is a private rental of the entire building, limited to one group per day. Even if you book for two people, you will not share with other guests; the entire guest hall, with a capacity of six people, will be exclusively for your use. There are no separate guest rooms for two people.

Guest Hall

This is a 100-year-old pure Japanese-style room (capacity 6 people, single futons) with fusuma paintings created by Japanese artist Keisui Ito 100 years ago. The three eight-tatami-mat rooms can be partitioned by fusuma, making it suitable for multiple groups or three-generation family trips. The total area is approximately 40 tatami mats (73㎡). You can enjoy views of the river and mountains from the wall of windows.

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Facilities and Amenities

The water facilities were renovated in 2017. Air conditioning is fully equipped. There is a refrigerator, and tea and coffee are provided for free use.

• Amenities: Samue (nightwear), bath towel, face/hand towel, body soap, shampoo, rinse/conditioner, cleansing oil, lotion, milky lotion, cotton swabs, cotton pads, comb, razor, toothbrush set, hair tie, socks (winter only)
• Not provided: Washing machine/dryer, in-room safe (safety box)

Accommodation Plans

• Standard Plan(From ¥40,000/person) — Includes resident monk concierge, up to 11 temple experiences, dinner (full course Kurofune Shamo chicken or creative shojin ryori full course), and breakfast (local ingredient breakfast set).
• Consecutive Nights Plan(2 nights) — Includes experiences and two meals. For consecutive nights, dinner will be one shojin ryori and one Shamo chicken course.
• Room Only Plan(From ¥20,000/room for up to 2 people; from ¥4,000 for each additional futon for the third person and beyond) — No experiences or meals included. Even with the room-only plan, bamboo grove zazen, sleeping zazen, morning service, and musical instrument experiences can be added for a fee (may not be available depending on temple circumstances).

Prices vary depending on the date and number of guests.Please check availability and prices via the reservation button.

Meals

For dinner, you can choose between acreative shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) full course(contents vary by season and seasonal ingredients; e.g., shojin soup, freshly made yuba, sushi, akadashi miso soup, Shorekiji special appetizer plate, tempura, ratatouille, mapo tofu roll, stewed onions, dessert of the day), or theKurofune Shamo Chicken Full Course.

The Kurofune Shamo Chicken Full Course features an entire rare Shamo chicken, carefully raised at the local Hasugamine Farm, prepared using different cooking methods for each part (e.g., shin meat steamed in Saikyo miso, thigh meat salad, breast meat with mustard-vinegar miso, tenderloin with plum paste, neck skin and local vegetable stew, lava-grilled rare cuts, hassun [pickled chicken egg yolk in miso, teriyaki mid-wing, smoked tenderloin, low-temperature vacuum-cooked breast/thigh/gizzard], chicken meatball paitan soup, matcha and hojicha warabi mochi).The Shamo chicken course is not shojin ryori.

Breakfast is alocal ingredient breakfast set(using fresh ingredients such as local rice and vegetables, fish and salt from the neighboring town. Served in lacquerware passed down through generations at Shorekiji and beautifully restored with lacquer. Depending on the season and weather, it can be enjoyed amidst nature on the deck). Drinks such as beer, sake, other alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks are available for an additional charge.

• Changes to the dinner menu are possible and incur no additional charge (changes from shojin ryori to Shamo chicken are also possible if inquired about in advance).
• Meals are only provided as part of a plan, andcannot be added separately. If you choose the room-only plan, meals are not included, so we recommend purchasing food in advance at a nearby supermarket (15-minute walk) or Ayabe Station.
• Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions in the check-in form after booking.

The resident monk says about food: "All living things. Animals that move visibly, like cows, pigs, chickens, fish, and shellfish. And even each blade of grass, whose life is not easily seen but certainly exists. To live, we harvest these lives and make them our own energy. This is the natural law of the jungle. However, I believe that by not just harvesting indiscriminately, but by recognizing the dignity of life and receiving it with gratitude, we can live more meaningful days. Our bodies are built upon many lives, and our hearts are built upon even more thoughts" (Koshin Tamagawa, resident monk of Shorekiji). The tea sweets upon arrival and dinner desserts are sourced from local partner "Goodies," and the Shamo chicken is from "Hasugamine Farm."

About Your Stay

• Check-in / Check-out: IN 15:00-18:00 / OUT 10:00. Early check-in and late check-out are not available.
• Payment: Accommodation fees are generally paid in advance. You can use card or cash on site.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed.
• Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in common areas. There is a designated smoking area outdoors.

Facilities and Amenities

• Maximum 6 people (one group per day, whole building rental)
• Guest hall approx. 40 tatami mats (73㎡)
• Bathroom with bathtub
• Air conditioning
• Hair dryer
• IN 15:00-18:00 / OUT 10:00
• Free parking
• JR Ayabe Station: approx. 5 minutes by taxi
• No pets allowed
• No smoking in common areas (outdoor smoking area available)
• Safety equipment

Experiences

The head priest will serve as your dedicated concierge, suggesting experiences from about 20 options based on your wishes and mood on the day (experiences are subject to consultation based on your requests and weather conditions, and may not be available if the head priest is occupied. There are about 10 days a year when the head priest is unavailable due to funerals, etc.). For plans with two meals, experiences included in the accommodation fee are free; for room-only plans, experience fees are separate.

Experiences for Self-Reflection

• Bamboo Forest Zazen— Outdoor zazen, feeling the sound of the wind and birds. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• Lying Zazen— Lie down under a 600-year-old tree and calm your mind. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• zazen— Practice zazen in the main hall to regulate your breathing and mind. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.

Experiences to enjoy the temple

• Evening bell ringing— Ring the evening bell (13 times) with a monk. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• Monk's robe experience— Learn about and try on robes and kesa. Photography in the garden is also permitted. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• Musical instrument experience— Experience instruments used in Buddhist services such as bells, gongs, bowls, mokugyo (wooden fish), and taiko drums. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• Goshuin making— Create an original goshuin (temple seal) with a proverb or motto. A great souvenir. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.

Experiences to learn and pray about Buddhism

• Goma prayer— Entrust your wishes to a goma-gi (wooden stick) and burn it yourself. 5,000 yen/person, no reservation required.
• Morning service— Convey the importance of living a better life through the meaning of the sutras. Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• Water purification (Suigyo Senshin)— Purify your body seven times using well water. Not suitable for pregnant women or those with high blood pressure. Women should bring swimwear, men will be provided with a fundoshi (loincloth). Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.
• sutra copying— Calm your mind and move your brush with single-minded devotion (approx. 2 hours for the Heart Sutra). Included in accommodation fee, no reservation required.

In addition, we also offer samue (temple work), meditation, rafting (extra charge, reservation required), and a Northern Kyoto lunch tour (extra charge, reservation required). Many experiences can be applied for at check-in, but some are recommended to be booked in advance. Some experiences may not be available depending on the schedule of the instructor or head priest. Experiences are only available to overnight guests.

Access

45 Teramachi Donomae, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture 623-0033

• Train: From JR Kyoto Station, take the San-in Line to Ayabe Station, then a 5-minute taxi ride (or about a 30-minute walk).
• Frequently Asked QuestionsBefore You Book

What are the check-in and check-out times? Can I check in early or extend my stay?

Check-in is from 3 PM to 6 PM, and check-out is by 10 AM. We do not offer early check-in or late check-out. Extending your stay may be possible if there is a cancellation; please check the booking page for availability.

You can make a reservation from the reservation button on this page (OTERA STAY official reservation page).