What Is Included in a Shukubo Temple Stay in Japan?

See what a typical shukubo rate covers, from shojin ryori vegetarian meals and morning prayers to simple tatami rooms and shared baths, and which extras usually cost more.

Published October 20, 2026 at 11:12 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: A shukubo stay typically includes a simple tatami room with futon bedding, a vegetarian dinner and breakfast called shojin ryori, and an invitation to join the temple's early morning service. Baths and toilets are often shared. Extras such as meditation, sutra copying or tours may cost more, and inclusions differ by temple, so confirm them when booking.

What the room rate usually covers

A shukubo is a temple lodging, and the nightly rate is usually set per person. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), room prices commonly include both dinner and breakfast, which is similar to the way a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) prices a stay. The rate typically covers the room, bedding, the two meals, tea, and access to the temple's baths if it has them. Taxes or local fees may be listed separately, so read the booking details.

What is not included can be just as useful to know. Drinks other than tea, snacks, laundry, transport to the temple, and special activities are generally extra. Because each temple sets its own policy, a list of inclusions on the official page is more reliable than a general guide. If the list is unclear, a short email asking what the rate covers usually resolves it.

Check-in is often in the afternoon, and the first evening typically has a fixed dinner time. Missing it can mean going without, because temple kitchens work to a schedule. The confirmation message normally states the arrival window, and it is polite to send a note if a train delay is likely.

Shojin ryori: the vegetarian meals

The meals are the most talked-about part of a stay. Shojin ryori is the vegetarian cuisine of Japanese Buddhism, developed in monasteries and rooted in the principle of non-violence. Reference works describe it as plant based, with soy sauce and vegan dashi (cooking stock) as central flavors, and JNTO adds that Koyasan meals use vegetables and wild plants that change with the seasons. JNTO states that it does not use meat, fish, dairy or egg products.

Dinner is often served on small individual trays in the room or a dining hall, and it can include many small dishes. Breakfast is usually lighter, with rice, soup and pickles. The exact menu depends on the temple and the season, and portions can be modest for hearty eaters. Guests with allergies or strict diets, including gluten or sesame concerns, should write to the temple before arrival, since dishes are prepared in advance.

Morning prayers and temple activities

Many temples invite guests to join the morning service, often called gongyo. JNTO explains that the style depends on the temple's Buddhist sect, such as Pure Land, Shingon or Nichiren, and that meditation training is often available. The service usually starts early, sometimes around dawn, and lasts a short while. Guests normally sit on the floor, listen to chanting and may be invited to offer incense.

Participation is typically encouraged but not required. JNTO's Koyasan page notes that guests are encouraged, but not required, to join the monks' practices such as meditation and sutra copying (hand copying Buddhist scripture). Some activities are part of the rate and others are optional extras with a fee, so check what is listed. Quiet observation from the back is usually acceptable.

Rooms, bedding and baths

Rooms are traditionally tatami with a futon laid out for sleeping. JNTO notes that restrooms are generally shared, though some temples offer suites or rooms with private bathrooms. Heating and air conditioning vary, and older temple buildings can feel cool in winter and early spring, so extra layers are useful. Rooms are often divided by sliding paper doors rather than solid walls, which means sound travels.

Many temples have a bath for guests, often shared and used in turns, and some on Mount Koya are reported to have open-air baths. Not all temples have baths, so confirm this when booking. Towels, yukata (a light cotton robe) and basic toiletries are commonly provided, but supplies vary. Guests who prefer their own items should bring a small kit.

Costs and how to compare offers

Rates vary by temple, room type, number of guests and season, so a single price cannot be given here. In general, temple lodging tends to sit in the mid-price range for Japan, and private rooms with their own bathroom cost more. Prices on temple or association websites are the most reliable. Check whether the quoted rate is per person or per room, and whether it assumes two guests sharing.

Compare offers by looking at what is written, not only the headline price. Items that matter include whether dinner and breakfast are both included, whether the morning service is open to guests, check-in and check-out times, and any evening curfew. JNTO adds that some temples accept only cash, so confirm the payment method. Cancellation conditions are also worth reading before paying.

It also helps to ask whether tax, bathing fees or a heating charge are added at check-out. Some temples quote a base rate and add small fees later, and a clear answer in writing avoids surprises. Official temple or association pages remain the best source for current amounts.

Special cases: diets, families and older travelers

Vegetarians are usually well served, since the menu is plant based, but vegans should still check the dashi, honey and any dairy items on the menu. Travelers who avoid specific foods such as soy or sesame may find it hard to substitute, because shojin ryori relies on them. Writing in advance is better than raising it at the table, and a translation tool is acceptable for short messages.

Families and older travelers should ask about floor seating, stairs and bedding. Sitting on tatami for a long dinner can be tiring, and some temples can arrange chairs on request. Rooms with beds are available at a few places. Children are welcome at some temples and not at others, and the rules about quiet hours are usually firm. Always ask before assuming.

Common mistakes, tips and next steps

A common mistake is expecting a western-style hotel breakfast or a meat option. Another is assuming alcohol is available; JNTO notes that some temples allow it and others forbid it, so ask in advance. A third is missing the morning service because of oversleeping, so setting a phone alarm helps. Late arrival can also mean a missed dinner, as kitchens often follow a fixed schedule.

For planning, write down the inclusions from the confirmation message, ask about allergies, and note the evening curfew. Bring slip-on shoes and warm clothing. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. The official Koyasan lodging association or the individual temple page lists current offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are drinks and alcohol part of a shukubo stay?

Tea is usually served, but other drinks may cost extra. Alcohol policies differ: JNTO notes that some temples permit it, sometimes described as a medicinal drink, while others forbid it. Ask the temple in advance and do not bring alcohol to a temple that does not allow it.

Is the morning service included in the price?

At many temples the morning service is open to guests at no extra charge, though this is not universal. It is usually optional. Meditation or other practice sessions may be separate. The booking page or confirmation message should say what is included, and staff can explain on arrival.

Do guests have to eat everything served?

Guests are not forced to finish dishes, but wasting food is considered impolite in a temple. Portions can be adjusted if requested in advance. Telling the temple about allergies and dislikes when booking works better than leaving food behind, since meals are planned with set courses.

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

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Can I Stay in a Temple in Japan as a Tourist?, What Should You Know Before a Temple Stay in Japan? and Manhole Covers in Japan: Decorative Designs and Manhole Cards.