Okay, I should have entitled these as Temple Lodgings so as not to make people scratch their heads (unless they are monks in Japan and surfing the internet and happen to pass by this innocuous post).
Hmmm.. probably similar to a ryokan except..well..that it is in a Buddhist temple :-)
But vegetarians may like it because that is what they will serve you for meals.
There's an early morning service (probably 6 am or earlier *gasp*).
If you are not required to join, then good, get a few more good winks in.
But some actually require you to join...
Price ranges: USD 67 to USD 140 per person but that includes meals so not too shabby.
Hope I can try this out if I can make it to Mount Koya...though the 6 am ritual is making me think twice as I generally like to laze around during mornings.
picture from the internet
From the net -
ReplyDeleteDinner and breakfast feature vegetarian monks' cuisine (shojin ryori) with specialties such as konyaku (devils tongue jelly), yuba (tofu skin) and koyadofu (freeze dried tofu). Guests are also invited to participate in morning prayers which typically start around 6:00am, last for about 30-45 minutes and are followed by breakfast around 7:00.
looks good - and I could stand to lose some weight :-)
ReplyDeleteit doesn't look that much different from the kaiseki usually offered..but probably because for me..food is food, regardless if its veggie or meat..
I really can't imagine you overnighting in one though.
ReplyDeletelol
*indignant pose*
ReplyDelete*deflates*
what gave me away?
the food?
the quantity?
the 6 am thingie?
LOL
I feel like a "Geisha " hahahaha...
ReplyDeleteand to think this in the temple?
ReplyDeleteFrom the photos it looks fine but well yes, the quantity of food, quality can't be visualised from photos but it looks fine and oh dear "06.00 AM is a bit early for you"
ReplyDeleteHugs.
I think I would if I could. But $140.00 is just too stiff for even it is inclusive of food. I'm not too crazy about the food anyway.
ReplyDeleteIncludes meals ? Do you mean Breakfast, Lunch and dinner?
ReplyDeleteOr is it only Breakfast?
140.0 USD = 753.0194 DKK.
Shukubo. That's a combination of two Filipino words: sukob (shelter), and kubo (nipa hut). Wink.
ReplyDeletethis is why its best if you and P'Mod come with me to areas like this...
ReplyDeleteyou get up early, P'Mod stays up late, I am in the middle...hahaha..we are well-represented, wherever we may go *wink*
quality I heard is good but yes, I would say I'd be a bit hang-dog-faced w/ the quantity (I wonder if the monks would think me rude if I ask for seconds and thirds?) *grin*
I was thinking, baka bawal geisha sa temple..hahaha...they shouldn't indulge in those...
ReplyDeleteyep....there seems to be more temples offering this than I initially thought...
ReplyDeletealso, you can hear the chanting of prayers of the monks when you get up and attend their service...and you can also see or be shown a peek at their treasures...
when I first saw the pic..I thought it was more a Japanese-inn style..
For me to sleep on the floor only happens if I fall down drunk. No. I have a permanent hip problem which requires a normal to high western style bed otherwise I can't get up from it.
ReplyDeleteI did sleep in a 100% Japanese Hotel on the Amakusa Islands, I got round the problem by re-arranging the furniture before sleeping. The Hotel had been running for 35 years owned by the same family. I was the first ever non Japanese to stay there. The Hotel guest book was printed in colums, great for writing Kanji, but looked wierd writing English in it.
The range (at current rate more or less) of JPY 9,500 to JPY 15,000 per person depends on the room.
ReplyDeleteThis includes two vegetarian meals (I'd say breakfast and dinner) coz from the stuff I read most people arrive, take dinner, take bath, get up in the morning, attend morning ritual, eat breakfast.
again, check in is around 3 pm (as usual in Japan),checkout is 9 am.
How does it sound John?...expensive?
the USD 140 may be for those na medyo maganda na place or room..I think the JPY 9,500 would be more common.
ReplyDeleteRooms will be tatami-mat covered (don't think Western style is going to be available coz its authentic temple), could include a nice view of the gardens/grounds.
I heard the shojin ryori (the Buddhist vegetarian meals I mentioned above) are generally quite good.
Maybe for the others, what will make them a bit happier is that while the monks are vegetarians.......they are not teetotalers *grin*
That would mean beer and sake are available...hehehe. For a fee of course. No idea how much though.
Bring your own towel/toiletries. Baths and toilets are communal. Meals are served at set times.
You know, before I used to balk at public baths, but in Japan, I can waive that reservation aside. Really a must try, at least once :-)
bah...very nice...maybe we can offer our own version here :-)
ReplyDeleteahahaha...or if you get knocked out if you do boxing *wink*
ReplyDeletehmm....*imagination runs double-time*
I suppose the kotatsu is too low too for you ..hehehe...(John thinks - what am I? food to be laid out?)
Hi Cat.
ReplyDeleteI'd say cheapish due to the extra meal compared to this one. However Dinner in most normal Japanese restaurants can be purchased for less than Y1000
Washington Plaza - Himeji - 7 days with breakfast (Internet,telephone and TV in all roome at no extra cost)
Total = US $550.20
Most of the hotels I use cost about the same +/- a few yen. USD 78.60 per day.
Boxing or fighting is not my style so I don't flirt with girls in the company of men. lol (Cowards live longer).
ReplyDeleteAs I've never been to Japan in Winter such a piece of furniture has not been needed. lol
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
ReplyDeletehe who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day!
he who fights and is slain, will never ever fight again *wink*
also I don't think the kotatsu will be able to fit you inside its frame...LOL..your legs would dangle over the side...hahaha...
ReplyDeleteindeed, it sounds reasonable w/ that comparison, I've been surfing around looking for charming ryokans w/ that price range (USD 80 max)...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try experiencing kaiseki even if its a bit expensive in Tokyo...
argh, I wish I could backpack travel this time..I wish to go to Himeji too...and see their most beautiful castle..my itinerary now is flexible starting after Tokyo :-)
Probably though there are several types. I've seen some for leg use while sitting in an armchair and some for feet only no matter what your sitting on.
ReplyDeleteooh...should I confess I was thinking of you sleeping on the kotatsu when I said it wouldn't fit your frame? *grin*
ReplyDeletekidding aside, stuff like that thought only comes out because of the other times I was on trips with friends and we draped ourselves over what we could find..or even at overtime in some offices, I once even slept on 3 swivel office chairs (I'd have fit with 4 but others had to have their chairs too) w/ my feet dangling....
Ah, well back packing is not for me with all the junk I travel with.
ReplyDeleteHimeji, great idea except that the Castle is closed for repairs/maintainance until some time in 2011 but of course there are many other attractions there. It is the best centre (Hub) for travelling in that part of Japan all the way to Hiroshima, not to forget Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Okayama, and more.
Ha ha ha, makes me think of some of the sleeping arrangements I've experienced after parties when driving home was not an option.
ReplyDeleteoh, thanks John for the tip on that...I didn't know it was closed..still I suppose one could take a picture with the castle as a background...hehe (its obvious I just want a souvenir shot of myself *wink*)...
ReplyDeleteI've penciled in Okayama and Kurashiki...I'm trying to be flexible with my itinerary but on the other hand, I want to already reserve for rooms in Okayama so I don't have to stay overnight in Hiroshima...I'm still teetering between also looking at Matsue instead of going back to Osaka to revisit Kyoto
OK, but a photo won't be possible as it is covered by protection nets and tarpauline sheets for safety reasons.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Himeji you can nick one of my photos of it.
As for Okayama I only know of one hotel there though there are many. I used "Hotel Granvia" which is literally right next to the station. Three nights USD478.80 so not cheap.
Appart from Kurashiki the Island Neoshima is interesting but you need to sail to it and without your own car getting around is certainly not easy.
I've been to Okayama in 2008 amd 2009 so there are several albums to look at.
thanks for this note...I shall take into consideration the sights...I hate lugging around luggage...I wish I could fold my bag once i've emptied it of a couple of gifts and food :-) (well food will certainly disappear, but my bag will stay solidly tall) hahaha...
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. When I visited the Island I did so with Mizuho, as her parents live there she knows it well and where she can park the car.
ReplyDeleteHaving baggage while sightseeing must be very inconvenient but I've never tried it, except for the Cameras.
I now recall that in Osaka-jo, we were able to deposit the bags I had where we bought our tickets..am not sure nor can I find information if its applicable for some of the sights I've earmarked...
ReplyDeleteI have seen baggage lockers at several sites in Japan and Thailand too so it may be possible for you. There have been a few where Cameras and Cellphones must be deposited before you can enter, expecially Museums.
ReplyDeletehow about train stations...possible also right?
ReplyDeletethere's nothing like that here unfortunately..and am not sure of the biggest capacity of one)...so am now sort of diddling - 2 smaller bags or 1 big bag (excluded is my backpack from both choices)...
Yes, I've used luggage lockers in Tokyo Himeji and several other Shinkansen stations. At all of them there are various sized lockers so it is possible to park even the largest of suitcases. Price according to locker size. As I've always stayed in hotels while in an area I've never needed to use such a service at a small local station so I can't help there.
ReplyDeletehmm...so you just have a sort of fee per day.you deposit or clunk it in (like a meter)...this may work, but yeah...problem with small local stations...(imagines Kurashiki station or Nikko maybe possible)
ReplyDeleteWell i was driven around in Kurashiki all the way from and to my hotel. I did not take any luggage to Nikko as it was in my hotel. You understand no doubt I use a city hotel as a hub for how ever many days it takes to complete my planed trip then pack everything and on to the next city.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to think of, some small stations may be closed between last and first trains if there is no night train service. Others may be unmaned and closed after certain times.
oh no...not unmanned..waaah!
ReplyDeleteI've changed my mind..am not moving to stay overnight in Nikko...might as well go back to Asakusa :-)