I stayed at a Buddhist Temple in Japan - Fukuchi-in Koyasan

My Buddhist Temple stay in Kōyasan, Japan

by Drakoadventure

I finally made it to Kōyasan (Mount Koya) —a place I’ve been curious about for so long. Tucked away in the mountains of Wakayama, it’s the heart of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, founded by the monk Kūkai (also known as Kōbō Daishi). And let me tell you, it feels like stepping into another world. 

If you are looking for a serene, peaceful and spiritual retreat in Japan. This is the place.

Staying at Fukuchi-in Temple 

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In choosing where I would stay as a solo-woman traveller. I decided to stay at Fukuchi-in temple, one of the traditional Buddhist temples that also doubles as a shukubō (temple lodging).  It's also within walking distance of Mount Koya's main tourist attractions (Danjogaran, Kongobuji Temple, Oku-no-sono, etc.)  and the surrounding area offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. 

The natural scenery, including the courtyard, dry landscape gardens, and carp pond, is beautiful, making it extremely convenient for tourists. It makes it a no brainer that it is also the only one with comes with a natrual onsen!

The rooms are simple but beautiful, with tatami floors, sliding doors, and the kind of calm that instantly makes you breathe slower. 

You can enjoy the natural hot springs (indoor bath, open-air bath, sauna shared by both men and women). 

On the grounds, the shukubo is surrounded by a large garden that includes three different styles by Showa garden master, Shigemori Mirei Sakuba.

I also loved seeing the Koi fish in the garden while enjoying the peace and quiet overlooking the zen garden. 

And the food! Dinner was a full shōjin ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian meal). Think lots of tofu, mountain vegetables, and beautifully arranged plates that made me feel like I should eat slowly and mindfully (which I did, for once).

Both Dinner and breakfast are served with the package included which was a great deal.

I finished the night by writing the sutra in the evening to quiet my mind and ease my heart, which took around 30 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised that other western traveller, as they finished earlier than myself and was praised by other japanese lodgers afterwards! 

Meeting Kūkai (well, sort of)

Okunoin is one of the most sacred places in Japan and a popular pilgrimage spot. Walking through Kōyasan, you can’t help but feel the presence of Kūkai everywhere. He’s not just a historical figure — people here believe he’s still meditating in eternal samadhi at Okunoin, the most sacred site on the mountain. 

When I visited Okunoin, it was honestly surreal. The path is lined with thousands of mossy gravestones, tall cedars, and stone lanterns. It felt like time stopped — like I was brushing shoulders with history itself.

Mandalas, Symbols, and… Nobunaga?!

These Mandalas called Shukuyo are said to be the addresses of the gods or the gods themselves, and in the Garbha Mandala Saigaiin and the Hokuto Mandala, the 28 Shukuyo are depicted as bodhisattvas, the 12 zodiac signs, and the 9 Shukuyo as people or animals, and rituals such as Hoshi-gu and Hokuto-gu are performed.

The importance of the Mandala drawing — Shingon Buddhism uses mandalas as spiritual maps of the universe. What is fascinating is that the temple itself, staring from above, it is made in the shape of the mandala itself. That is ingenious and mind-blowing of the intelligence it took to construct something intricately beautiful and meaningful. I felt like I was looking into a secret code for existence itself.

And then — plot twist — Oda Nobunaga, the famous warlord, has a surprising connection to this place. He’s one of the many historical figures memorialized at Kōyasan. 

Imagine wandering through a quiet Buddhist cemetery and realizing you’re standing near a monument to one of Japan’s most famous samurai leaders. The mix of spirituality and history is just mind-blowing.

The next day, I had lunch at cafe shizuku, I chose the menu option "monk Monaco", it looked almost too adorable to eat! 

Afterwards, you can watch the VR projection illustrates how the temple in detail and its history, offering an immersive virtual experience of the Koyasan cultural heritages.

What I Took Away - Drako's Verdict

Kōyasan isn’t just a sightseeing trip. It’s more like pressing pause on everyday life. Between the chanting, the mandalas, and even thinking about figures like Kūkai and Nobunaga, I felt connected to something much bigger than myself.

If you ever get the chance — spend a night here. Compared to other accommodations in Mount Koya, this hotel is relatively reasonably priced and offers services and facilities that are commensurate with the cost of the accommodation. Many people feel that it offers excellent value for money, especially for tourists. 

Eat the temple food, wake up for the morning prayers, and just let yourself slow down. Kōyasan has a way of making you listen — to silence, to history, and maybe even to yourself.

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Go for yourself — you won’t regret it.

Fukuchiin Information

On the grounds, the shukubo is surrounded by a large garden that includes three different styles by Showa garden master, Shigemori Mirei Sakuba, and air-conditioned rooms with WiFi and BS broadcasts available. In addition, all vegetarian dishes are handmade by the chef and are changed monthly. You can enjoy the natural hot springs (indoor bath, open-air bath, sauna shared by both men and women).

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• Facility information

  Shukubo name	Fukuchi-in
  Address	657 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama JAPAN
  TEL/FAX	TEL : +81(0)736-56-2021 FAX : +81(0)736-56-4736
  URL	https://www.fukuchiin.com/
  Experiences	・Sutra Copyng ・Tracing a picture of a Buddhist image Morning buddhist ceremonies （FREE)
  Bus guidance	Take a bus from NO.2 bus stop bound for Okunoin-mae, and the nearest bus stop is Keisatsu-mae.
  Annotation	Check-in / 15:00～17:00 Check-out / 9:00 Capacity / 250 individual guests Curfew / 21:00 Facilities / Main temple hall/Japanese garden/Parking Onsen(Sauna, Outdoor bath)