Kumagai-ji Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging)

It was getting chilly when we arrived, and the monks provided both kotatsu(heated tables) and space heaters for our group. The food was fantastic, but purely vegetarian so don't expect otherwise. The bathhouse was wonderful ' just the way to warm up on a cold day.

We scheduled a night's stay at Kumagai-Ji in the pilgrims lodging. It was fantastic. We were provided traditional rooms and meals. The experience is unparalleled in its uniquness and culture. They also have onsen onsite! The rooms included futons, kotasu and space heaters. We were included in a morning service and fire ceremony. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It is the first story my 16 Y.O. tells when talking about our trip to Japan. The only reason a downgraded the location was for access to the downside was o ly by bus or a bit of a walk. For my 74 Y.O. mom, that was a stretch to walk. Otherwise the location is beautiful and centrally located between the townsite and the cemetery/temple site

I’ve stayed multiple times for work and leisure and each time I can report the cleanest spaces, an unbeatable proximity to Okuno-in and a local cafe, excellent shojin-ryori and monks and staff who are endlessly patient and jovial - which is admirable, as they are monks, not hospitality workers. It’s been a while since I visited, but I hope all remains well at Kumagai-ji. If you visit, remember that you are being welcomed into a place of worship, not a hotel. Laypeople and visitors so lucky to have access to a place like this.

A nice change of scenery from the usual bustling city. They provide lunch and dinner during your stay. The room is neat and the heater works just fine. The facilitied they provide are also excellent, from booth showers, gender separated onsen, and toilet. Its close to the main city of Koyasan. The monks English are a bit choppy but it is fine.

I stayed for a night in late November. It was very cold (3 degrees Celsius in the morning) and I was the only guest staying in the temple. Facilities were modern and clean. Staff was friendly and helpful. Although with no meat, both dinner and breakfast were delicious and filling. The morning prayer ceremony was a very empowering experience for me. I did not understand a word, but I could feel the focused attention of the monks seeking a higher presence.

Amazing experience. We booked only one night and really wished we could stay longer. The monks are really kind and eager to help. When we got there a lady who is fluent in English checked our reservation and showed us to our room, explaining everything about the temple along the way. Our room had a heater, kotatsu, a safe and TVs, the monks set the futon for you while you have dinner and yukatas are provided by the time you check in. Dinner is at 5:30 and breakfast at 7, you can take a shower anytime you want but the bath is open from 4 to 10; the main gate closes at 9. Okunoin is just about a block away so if you take the cemetery night tour there's no need to take the bus back to Kumagaiji. Also, the tour starts at the temple next door so the location is super convenient.

Such a beautiful temple with wonderful pilgrims lodgings for tourists and those seeking to rest and experience the tranquility of life in the mountains. Koyasan is hard to get to but it's worth it for the lovely small town it is and there were a surprising number of English speakers! Kumagaiji had amazing food and a nice bath, and watching the morning prayers was such a chilling experience I can never forget. If you want to enjoy Japan, you must go to Koyasan and stay at Kumagaiji.

Wonderful place to stay in Koyosan. People are super friendly and do explain you every details about the temple, buddhism, the meals etc..
The room are really nice and they set up futons for you. You’re also served traditional shojin ryori dinner and breakfast !

Kumagaiji was one of the best experience in Japan stay. The place is beautifull, nice, comfortable and peacefull rooms, with nice views. They have an onsen aviable. Very clean rooms and baths. Very nice staff. In general, so satisfying experience.

Very pleasant Buddhist monastery. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Good location by the cemetery. Fascinating morning rituals with prayer and fire ceremony

Fantastic experience. One of my highlights of my trip in Japan. Stayed for only one night but wished I stayed longer.

Delicious food, nice place, recommended to everyone

Incredible food and people are very kind. You will love this place.

Der Besuch und Aufenthalt bei den Mönchen war sehr schön. Es gibt viele Möglichkeiten zur Entspannung und Meditation :-) das Bad ist sehr angenehm und die Betten bequem - die kalte Tage steht ein Heizlüfter zur Verfügung, der gute Arbeit leistet. Die manche sind sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend. Ich wäre gerne noch länger geblieben ☺ Vielen Dank für die tolle Erfahrung!

御住職が気さくな方で精進料理も品数が多く肉魚がないけど大満足でした
結界が張られていて居心地がいい
まるで旅館のように気が配られていた

Esperienza incredibile al Kumagaiji. Non consiglierei, a meno che non ne siate veramente convinti, la colazione dei monaci. E' interessante provare una nuova cucina e conoscere una tradizione completamente diversa dalla nostra, ma la mattina è difficile adattarsi a gusti così differenti dai nostri. La nostra camera era sensazionale, con di fronte un giardinetto zen con un laghetto in cui nuotavano le magnifiche carpe ornamentali. Siamo stati molto fortunati in quanto nella nostra ala eravamo gli unici ospiti e quindi i bagni vicino alla nostra stanza più che comuni sono diventati privati a tutti gli effetti.
Purtroppo si perde un po' l'atmosfera tradizionale, ma è bello che i monaci si sforzino di spiegare ai turisti le loro tradizioni. Posizione ottima per visitare Koyasan!!!

清潔感があり、コロナ予防対策もしっかりしていただいて、安心してゆっくり過ごせました。
お風呂も湯加減ちょうどよく、こちらも清潔感あり気持ちよかった。
朝晩の精進料理も美味しく美しい盛り付けで、体に優しく癒されました。
朝のお勤めも法話もよかったです。
とても人間味がある宿坊で、高野山を存分に楽しめました。

Nous y avons passé une nuit. Très bon accueil par l'un des moines, avec thé et petit gâteau. Le temple est très calme et prospère. Il est très bien placé car proche u cimetière que nous avons pu faire le soir. Le repas était parfait et succulent, nous avons eu droit à un petit cadeau (bracelet et porte bonheur) et des explications sur les différents mets par une dame très gentille. Des yukatas sont à notre disposition dans la chambre et nous pouvons nous balader comme cela au sein du temple. J'ai pu tester le onsen qui est très agréable (il n'y avait personne). Nous devions être une 10aine en tout dans le temple. La cérémonie du matin (6h30) ainsi que celle du feu sont à faire absolument. Très bon séjour à Kumagaiji. On s'y sent très bien. Une expérience à tester absolument à Koyasan.

埼玉県熊谷市の英雄
地名の元
熊谷次郎直実さんの寺💖🤗
埼玉県民、熊谷市民は
もっと熊谷次郎直実さんの
ことを学び
高野山に寺があることを
知ったほうがよい💖
ぜひ熊谷市民、熊谷の中学生や高校生は高野山へ修学旅行にきて
郷土の偉人熊谷次郎直実を誇りに
思って欲しい💐
戦では救うことが出来ない
仏の力で仏国土をつくる
極楽浄土へ想いをはせた
郷土の偉人を誇りに思って欲しい💐
ぜひ高野山熊谷寺へお参りください🤗

6畳と8畳の二間の二階のお部屋は広くて眺めも良くコタツがあり懐かしかったです。
夕食もご飯おかわり自由で満腹でした。
ご本尊の阿弥陀如来御朱印と法然上人の御朱印が頂けます。朝の勤行と護摩祈祷に参加すると、半分は海外の方でした。