Temple Stay at Kakurinbo: Shojin Ryori and Matsuri

During this overnight experience, you'll become a part of over 800 years of Buddhist history by joining daily activities at an ancient temple. Just a 3-hour bus ride from central Tokyo, Minobusan welcomes guests to the ways of life in the Japanese mountains. After opening remarks and check-in, you'll experience the first of many fantastic vegetarian shojin ryori meals, made by and for the monks of Kakurinbo. Private festival activities light up clear evenings with the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Japanese matsuri. The head monk performs a ceremony using a large pole while participants beat drums and chant along to the beat. Day 2 begins with sutra-copying, a morning ritual, at Kunonju Temple. There is also yoga taught at Kakurinbo. After breakfast at Kakurinbo, you'll have time to walk around the temple, where the founder of Nichiren Shonin Buddhism is buried. A washi-paper-making add-on is also available to guests looking to dive even deeper into the area's traditional crafts.