Can I Stay in a Temple in Japan as a Tourist?

Learn how shukubo temple lodging works for overseas visitors, what a typical stay looks like, how booking usually goes, and why Koyasan is a well-known place to try it.

Published October 20, 2026 at 11:11 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Yes, many Buddhist temples in Japan welcome tourists overnight. This temple lodging is called shukubo, and it usually includes simple tatami rooms, vegetarian dinner and breakfast, and an invitation to join the early morning prayers. Rules, prices and English-language booking differ from temple to temple, so check each temple's own page before reserving.

Yes, shukubo temple lodging is open to visitors

A shukubo is a temple lodging, a place where guests sleep inside the grounds of a Buddhist temple. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), these lodgings began as places where traveling monks could rest and were later opened to ordinary visitors. Reference works add that shukubo were also used by pilgrims and worshippers over many centuries, and that most today welcome general tourists, with no religious commitment expected.

A stay is not a retreat that requires special training. Guests are treated as lodgers, and joining the temple's practices is usually optional. Because every temple has its own sect, customs and staff, no two experiences are identical. That is why most guides, including JNTO's, describe a temple stay as a flexible cultural experience rather than a fixed package.

Temple towns also differ in feel. Some lodgings sit in busy pilgrimage areas, others on quiet mountain slopes, and a few are inside large cities. Choosing the setting first, then the temple, helps travelers match the stay to the kind of trip they have in mind.

How a typical temple stay works

Most stays follow a similar rhythm. Guests arrive in the afternoon or early evening, remove their shoes at the entrance, and are shown to a room. Rooms are traditionally tatami (woven straw mat) floors with a futon (folding bedding) laid out for the night. Dinner is served in the evening, and many temples offer a bath, which is often shared and used in turns.

The next morning begins early. JNTO notes that guests can usually attend gongyo, the morning devotions, and that the style depends on the Buddhist sect of the temple, such as Pure Land, Shingon or Nichiren. After the service, a vegetarian breakfast is served, and check-out usually follows mid-morning. Exact times vary, so the confirmation message from the temple is the best guide.

Koyasan as a well-known example

Koyasan (also called Mount Koya) is a mountaintop temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, south of Osaka, and it is one of the best-known places in Japan for temple lodging. JNTO describes it as the center of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, with more than 100 temples and a history of roughly 1,200 years. JNTO says more than 50 of its temples take overnight guests, while encyclopedic sources count about 120 sub-temples in total.

Getting there from Osaka is relatively simple. JNTO describes taking the Nankai Koya line from Namba Station to Gokurakubashi Station, which takes at least 90 minutes, followed by a cable car of about five minutes. Guests who join a stay often combine it with a walk through Okunoin, the large cemetery and mausoleum area of the monk Kukai, who founded the settlement in the early 9th century. Check the official Koyasan lodging association page for the current list of temples.

Costs, timing and how to book

Room rates at temples usually include dinner and breakfast, and JNTO states that room prices commonly cover both meals. Prices vary by temple, season and room type, so there is no single figure to rely on. As a rough guide, many travelers find temple lodging comparable to a mid-priced ryokan (traditional inn) rather than a budget hostel, but current rates should be confirmed on the temple's page.

Booking methods differ. JNTO lists several temples with English-language booking, including some in Koyasan, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga and Yamanashi, while others accept reservations only in Japanese. Some temples accept cash only, so confirm the payment method before arrival. Popular seasons such as autumn foliage can fill up, so reserving well ahead is usually wise. Cancellation terms also vary and should be read in the booking details.

Travelers should also budget for the way to the temple. Mountain locations may need a cable car or a bus after the train, and these fares are separate from the room rate. Official transport pages show current fares and timetables, and the last services of the day often leave earlier than visitors expect.

Who a temple stay suits

Temple lodging suits travelers who enjoy quiet, simple surroundings and want to see a side of Japanese culture that hotels do not offer. Couples, solo travelers and small groups of friends often find it comfortable. Older travelers should note that rooms are usually on tatami floors with futon, which can mean sitting low and getting up from the floor. Some temples have rooms with beds or private bathrooms, so ask when booking.

Families with children should check each temple's age policy, since some prefer a calm atmosphere and may limit very young guests. Vegetarians and vegans are often well served, because the meals are plant based, but guests with allergies or special diets should write to the temple in advance. Rules about alcohol also vary; JNTO says some temples permit it and others do not.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

A frequent misunderstanding is that a temple stay means strict monastic discipline. In most cases guests are only invited to join, and they can watch quietly instead. Another is expecting hotel services such as late-night room service. Temples are working religious sites, and JNTO reminds guests to keep disturbance to the monks to a minimum, since the monks are carrying out their own daily training.

A practical mistake is arriving late. Temples often have set meal times and a gate or entrance that is locked at night, so arrival times should be confirmed. Another is assuming every room has a private toilet or bath; JNTO notes that restrooms are generally shared, though some temples offer rooms with private bathrooms. Finally, do not assume that photography is allowed in every hall.

Planning tips and next steps

Start by choosing a region, then compare two or three temples. Read the official pages for meal details, bath arrangements, arrival times, curfew and payment methods. If the page is only in Japanese, a short email from a translation tool is usually fine, although it may take a few days to receive a reply. Many travelers plan one night, with an evening arrival and a morning prayer the next day.

Pack light, because rooms are small and baggage space is limited. Slip-on shoes are convenient for removing at doors, and warm layers help in mountain temples, which can be cool even in summer. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. If a temple answers a question differently from this guide, follow the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do visitors need to be Buddhist to stay in a temple?

No. Shukubo are generally open to guests of any faith or none. Temples may invite guests to join morning prayers or meditation, but participation is usually optional. Guests are asked to be respectful of the space and follow the temple's customs. Each temple sets its own policy, so check its official page.

Are meals at a temple stay always vegetarian?

Dinner and breakfast are commonly shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine made without meat or fish. JNTO describes it as using no meat, fish, dairy or egg products. Some temples may serve different food, so confirm the menu and ask about allergies when booking.

Can solo travelers stay in a temple?

Yes. Solo travelers are often welcome, and the quiet schedule suits those seeking calm. Some temples may have rules about minimum numbers or room types, so confirm when booking. Staff usually explain the daily schedule on arrival, which helps first-time guests feel at ease.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Culture and Customs is available on Amazon.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Is Koyasan worth visiting and can you stay overnight at a temple?, What Is Included in a Shukubo Temple Stay in Japan? and Goodwill Guides: Free Volunteer Tour Guides for Visitors to Japan.