Wakayama: Fire Prayer and Lunch in a 1,200-Year-Old Temple

Embark on a journey that connects you to centuries of tradition at the 1200-year-old Ekoin Temple in Koyasan Mountain, Wakayama Prefecture. The temple's ancient and whimsical atmosphere is the perfect setting for this unique experience. You'll taste an authentic shojin ryori lunch and partake in a private goma fire prayer ritual as you dive deep into esoteric Buddhism's rich cultural heritage. Centuries-old shojin ryori are traditional meals that Buddhist monks eat. Nourishing and balanced, these meals are prepared with plenty of wild vegetables and hearty legumes and are completely free of animal products, making them naturally vegetarian and vegan. A gluten-free option can also be prepared upon prior request. Indulge in this unique dining experience by savoring your beautifully presented shojin ryori meal in a traditional room overlooking the verdant temple garden. You'll also attend a private traditional goma fire prayer ritual. This captivating, deeply spiritual ritual begins with writing your wishes on wooden prayer tablets, which monks will burn into open flames. Prayer tablets represent human desires, while the flames are believed to embody Buddha's wisdom. Flames can sometimes reach a few meters high in this spiritually moving and visually striking experience. This experience allows you to get a rare glimpse into the daily life of monks, from their rituals to their cuisine, at the heart of one of Japan's premier Buddhist hubs, Koyasan, nestled in the pristine forested mountains of Wakayama.