Established in 942 near the banks of the Yura River, Shoureki-ji has provided guidance to adherents of Shingon Buddhism for over a thousand years. In modern times, the venerable temple has opened a shukubou stay program for discerning travelers and souls curious about the universe's mysteries or seeking inner richness. While time and natural disasters transform the temple every few centuries, some of Temple Hotel Shoureki-ji's current buildings still date back to various points of the Edo Period. It is in these beautiful and antiquated structures that guests will be sharing several days of their lives performing rituals and immersing in Buddha's teachings.

Design and Architecture

Temple Hotel Shoureki-ji's aesthetics lean heavily towards the traditional, which guests will feel the temple itself prides on. They will appreciate the traditional beauty and heritage of the guest pavilion, which while austere and uncluttered, provides lovely views of Ayabe's scenic landscape. Yet instead of being a simple dormitory-like room, the pavilion is still gorgeously furnished and embodies the essence of sukiya-zukuri interior design. The shoji, in particular, are extra special as they are works of the esteemed Meiji Era painter Itou Keisui.

One notable aspect that makes Temple Hotel Shoureki-ji stand out is that they are not limited to vegetarian cuisine and do not prohibit alcohol. This stems from the temple's belief that respects and acknowledges other cultures and that consuming another life is a necessary part of the cycle of life. Because of this belief, guests will be able to admire and enjoy delicious Ayabe cuisine which includes beef, poultry, and fish. Guests who are indeed looking for a vegetarian menu due to personal or health reasons can still avail of a vegetarian cuisine dinner. Alcoholic drinks such as beer and sake, along with sodas, are also available and can be imbibed during dinner, selected from the shukubou's menu.

For breakfast, Shoureki-ji serves well-prepared dishes made from ingredients sourced from local farms and partners, as well as seasonal items picked from the temple grounds such as plums and mushrooms. Depending on the season, guests can opt to enjoy their fresh and energizing breakfast on the garden deck instead of indoors.

As a Buddhist temple, it's highly likely Shoureki-ji can officiate a butsuzen kekkon , meaning a Buddhist-style Japanese wedding. If you're interested in holding such a matrimonial ceremony as your destination wedding, make sure to contact the temple to find out what necessary preparations you'll need to take. It's also worth asking if the temple can accommodate the reception dinner, or if you will need to book a separate venue for it. In the case of the latter, there's a good chance the temple can refer or recommend such a suitable establishment in Ayabe.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

The great thing about shukubou stays is that they themselves can offer a wide variety of engaging and enriching cultural experiences.

A round of zazen meditation amidst the bamboo grove will let you get in touch with nature's essence, while the quirkier nezen or lying meditation under the tree provides a calming and relaxing atmosphere. Guests can also involve themselves with important daily tasks in the temple, such as morning prayers and sutra readings, fire-cleansing rituals called goma, and sutra copying and calligraphy. There's also a special stamp-making activity for making goshuin stamps, which the guests can take home as a memento.

Of course, guests can also take advantage of the plentiful outdoor opportunities while in Ayabe. The temple can arrange for rafting adventures on the Yura River, or guided hikes and trips to Northern Kyoto's best nature spots. The temple also has rental bikes available for exploring what's nearby.