Temple Hotel Shimano-bo

The tradition of shukubo, or temple stays, arose during the Heian Period and was born out of necessity and not monetary gain. Temple properties were furnished with accommodations to provide adequately safe and comfortable stays for traveling monks and adherents on pilgrimage. Over the centuries, shukubo around Japan also integrated Buddhist experiences and conventions. Global travel in the modern world has opened up new opportunities for Buddhist temples, and they now welcome visitors looking for spiritual retreats. Aside from bedrooms, some like Shimano-bo also prepare immersive experiences and special Buddhist cuisine to showcase their specific brand of Japanese hospitality.

Thanks to meticulous record-keeping by the monks, Shimano-bo's founding dates back to February 8, 1275, and was established by Zenchi Hoin. Its original location was Mount Komuro, in the town of Kofu. One major legend tied to the temple's and founder's history took place during the visit of Nichiren Shonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism. After losing a debate with Nichiren Shonin, Zenchi Hoin sought to poison the traveling monk but was thwarted. Seeking repentance, Zenchi Hoin became a student of Nichiren and was bestowed the new name Hizenkou Echou Ajari Nichiden Shonin. Upon his return to Mount Komuro, he renamed the temple Myouhou-ji. He also created a hermitage where he could repent and serve Nichiren Daishonin, which eventually became Shimano-bo.

The modern Shimano-bo we know came about when the hermitage was relocated in 1830 and merged with other temples in the region. The 33rd head priest, Sato Jungyo, currently leads the temple. Recently, Shimano-bo also celebrated its 750th anniversary in 2024.

Due to its age, Temple Hotel Shimano-bo blends various architectural styles from various eras, with the most prevalent being elements from the Edo Period. Visitors arriving at the shukubo will immediately come across the temple's entranceway lined with cherry trees. The wooden buildings of the temple date back to 1830, though some materials and elements, like the wooden beams and stairs, were reused from older properties.

The layout of the temple is in line with adhering to the natural beauty of the region. The entrance has greenery lined with flowering trees, while the inner garden features traditional teien (garden) elements like a pond with a wooden bridge. For the accommodations, the shukubo offers Japanese-style rooms with either traditional or modern aesthetics.

Temple Hotel Shimano-bo prepares wonderful kaiseki-style cuisine that adheres to Buddhist principles. Meals are made with locally sourced ingredients, and include regional specialties like yuba (tofu skin) and konnyaku jelly. Each mealtime is planned and prepared by the senior proprietress, the junior proprietress, and the head priest, as all three are certified chefs.

As a shukubo, the hosts at Temple Hotel Shimano-bo invite guests to participate in a variety of enriching and enlightening experiences. Join the morning and evening services at Minobusan Kuon-ji, the main temple in Minobu. For those looking for a bit of inner peace, the temple also holds meditation sessions along with sutra chanting after evening prayers. Another way to relieve stress and develop focus is by calligraphy, though advanced participants may also try sutra copying as well.

For outdoor excursions around Yamanashi, there are plenty of nature spots to visit, such as Mount Fuji or the Fuji Five Lakes. If you'd like to get to know the local heritage, there are also a number of small museums, such as the Yu-no-oku Museum of Gold Mining History. Despite the distance from Japan's big cities, you'll easily find out that Minobu is a wonderful place to come back to.