“Absolutely worth staying with very friendly people who take care of you”

It was our first temple stay and the chief monk made us feel very welcome. He took us on a tour to the main temple to follow the morning prayer and gave us a very nice tour inside the temple. The food was delicious and fabulous.

“Memorible stay”

Exceütional expérience with the lovely host family from Sato. We will never forget. Thank you also for the memorible temple & preior experience as well as the excellent dinner and lunch. ❤️

“Peaceful temple stay”

My favorite things about Shimanobo is their hospitality, how clean and neat my room was and that they have their own hot bath. They even provided signs outside the baths to tell other guests if someone is using it for privacy. The food prepared by Kana-san was amazing. I greatly enjoyed participating in the morning and afternoon prayers at Kuon-ji Temple and at Shimanobo. Sato-san drove every morning up Kuon-ji so we didnt have to go up the 287 steps just to participate in the prayers. Be sure to walk up a little at Shimanobo's backyard. The cherry blossoms were amazing. I had to go up again a second time just before leaving. I would definitely definitely stay at Shimanobo again if I visit Minabu-san again in the future. Highest recommendation!

“Highlight of our japan trip”

Amazing stay with the morning ceremony, lovely dinner and breakfast and overall our highlight of our Japan trip

“Great stay, exceptional family including Head Priest Jungyo Sato. Perfect facilities and food.”

Exceptional stay with an exceptionally kind family, especially my host Head Priest Jungyo Sato. Perfect room. Perfect bathroom facilities and onsen. Amazing food, dinner and breakfast. Jungyo Sato took showed me around his and the main temple at Minobu and gave me a history lesson on the last 652 years of buddhism there - it was great.

“A truly amazing experience!”

This is the best place you can stay not only in Japan, but also in the whole of Japan. And I say as a guide who brought numerous groups to Japan and lived here for years. Try it!

“A must-experience when in Japan — peaceful, authentic, and deeply memorable.”

An unforgettable experience — the traditional food, stay, and bath were incredible. The monk and his wife were amazing hosts. He gave us a full tour of Kuonji Temple and invited us to attend the morning ceremony, where we felt truly included. Highly recommended — we would love to come back!

“Fabulous experience, thank you”

This was a highlight of our 2 week visit to Japan. We really appreciated the welcome, amazing food, comfortable accommodation and opportunity to join in a meditation and temple experience with the chief monk. Highly recommend!

“Bed was so comfortable, home cooked meals were amazing and walking distance to the local temple. Also found the courtyar”

Very cool experience to meet the custodians of this amazing temple and experience their life and culture

“A truly authentic and traditional Japanese temple experience—exactly what I was looking for!”

Historic landmarks full of ancient charm. I feel truly honored and blessed to have the opportunity to personally experience Japan’s temple culture. We were warmly and thoughtfully cared for by the temple’s head priest and his wife. During our stay, the tea set in our room was replaced daily with fresh snacks and fruits, which was incredibly considerate. The meals prepared by the priest’s wife were healthy, delicious, and beautifully presented—we thoroughly enjoyed them. Before our departure, the priest kindly drove us to the station and even gave us some snacks for the journey. This experience left a deep impression on us, and we were extremely satisfied!

The hosts are very friendly and we feeling like family living there. Very good to experience to live in temple 志摩房

“Great place for families and couples”

Clean, spacious, excellent service with big smiles and open heart, the best food at diner and breakfast, very interesting temple and a nice tour at it. The team made their best to make us comfortable, happy and satisfied even on Japanese standards. Nice simple Onsen.

“Fantastic .... once in a lifetime experience .... which we would like to do again”

Clean, great quality food and matresses. Knowledgable hosts. Great control of allergy food.

“An exceptional experience - don’t miss out”

Amazing hosts (husband & wife) who saw that our every need was met (including little details like heating our room and the bathroom at the right times). Exceptional cooking (evening meal and breakfast were wonderful). Sato-san gave us an insider’s view of the wonderful Kyonji temple. This hotel and the temple are worth going out of your way to visit. Beautiful garden.

Excellent hospitality, the monk and wife gave me a gift and great information on the temple.

Clean, comfortable, 親切, 暖気