An Enriching Overnight Stay at Shourekiji Temple

With the day’s activities over, guests are free to retire to their suite of minimalist but comfortable rooms. Little has changed here since the temple lodging was built one hundred years ago. All of the original wooden architecture and subtle decorative flourishes are still on display. The sliding doors adorned with paintings of birds are starting to fade and crack, but this only adds to their authentic beauty. A view of the river and mountains beyond spreads out through the enclosed porch with its panoramic windows, offering an enticing spot to relax with a cup of tea. While many temples lodge guests in plain rooms, at Shorekiji you’ll feel like royalty housed in the timeless opulence of a traditional villa.

The expected amenities of a hotel are present in these elegant rooms, and pajamas and toiletries are provided. A modern bathroom sports an impressive bath and shower, perfect for a soak on a cold night. The bedroom is arranged with thick, comfortable futon mattresses and hotel-quality bedding. Tamagawa and his wife, who speaks conversational English, are on hand to assist with any needs that arise during a stay, and they prove to be adept hosts at providing splendid service.

Dining in Buddhist temples is often a simple affair; cold tofu, pickled vegetables, and a warm bowl of rice are usually the only comfort you’ll find when sitting down for a meal. Not so at Shorekiji. Guests are encouraged to observe Tamagawa in his professional kitchen, where he changes into chef’s garb and deftly prepares ingredients on the counter. Dinner at his temple is a little different than even what his Japanese guests expect, he explains. He serves a rare Japanese breed of chicken called Shamo, raised on a free-range farm locally in Ayabe.

Tamagawa is careful to explain why he chooses not to follow the standard vegetarian Buddhist menu. “Plants have a life as well, you know,” he offers. “All life is equal and must be respected. We can still enjoy this chicken while being mindful of this fact.” He uses as much of the chicken as possible during preparation, appreciating that it gave its life for us. It’s a unique approach to Buddhist cuisine that he enjoys sharing with guests.

The meal is a veritable feast—a multicourse kaiseki spread with a number of small dishes brought out in succession. The chicken is exceptional, prepared in a multitude of ways that most foreigners will have never encountered. From delicately fried slices splashed in vinegar to a cold chicken salad topped with kiwi, the host shows his skill as a creative chef. The highlight is a platter of small cuts grilled on a sizzling skillet at the table and then dipped into a menagerie of sauces and seasonings. It’s a dining experience that rivals the finest restaurants of Kyoto City, made even more memorable by an elegant setting and the thoughtful philosophy behind the menu.

Breakfast is included and is a delicious and bountiful example of traditional vegetarian cuisine. Vegetarian dinner and other dietary accommodations are available upon request.

In the morning, guests are greeted by golden light shining into the low windows of the bedroom. Dawn breaks in a magnificent display directly across the river. Apart from the cries of birds, it’s a quiet moment that allows one to reflect on their time at the temple.

There is something supremely fulfilling about the experience of staying at Shorekiji, Tamagawa’s reliance on unique and appealing activities to bring guests closer to Buddhism works extremely well, and his charming demeanor plays a large role in making the encounter all the more enjoyable. No other overnight templestay offers quite the same perspective. It becomes easy to understand the elements of his daily devotional life, and to see how he turns even the simplest tasks into a chance to appreciate the world. A stay at Shorekiji will certainly enrich your life, and foreign visitors should seek out this unique opportunity to get an immersive and fulfilling look at Japanese Buddhism.

More information here:
https://oterastay.com/shourekiji/en/

Price: 40,000 per person
Includes two meals. Maximum group size is 8 people.
Optional goma ceremony is 5,000 yen per person, with a rosary bracelet presented to guests as a gift after the ritual.
Additional optional activities are offered for additional fees.