Hello, fellow travel lovers!
Today, I’m sharing my experience staying at Fuchinobo, a temple lodging at Zenkoji!
First, as soon as I arrived, I bought a two-day pass to visit Zenkoji Temple.
Then, a staff member gave me a heads-up: “Take it easy on lunch; our meals are quite generous here.”
I wondered, "Is it really that much...?" but with my ticket in hand, I headed to Zenkoji, half-doubting.
In the special room, the futons were extra fluffy!
After returning from our visit, we found three futons cozily lined up in our third-floor room, like they were happily waiting for us!
It was a spacious two-room suite in traditional Japanese style, with the second room featuring a table and chairs—a perfect setup for relaxing in comfort.
To top it off, when ordering drinks for dinner, we found out that alcohol was allowed!
Being able to enjoy a drink at a temple lodging was definitely one of the reasons I chose this place!
Soothing muscle aches in a warm, relaxing bath
Though it’s not a hot spring, the bath is spacious enough for the three of us to relax comfortably.
Even though it’s mid-October, the muscle aches from yesterday’s Togakushi visit are still lingering, so a nice soak was perfect to reset and recharge!
After my bath, still flushed and a bit wobbly, I spotted a small fridge lined with cans of beer!
Unable to wait until dinner, I grabbed a local beer without hesitation.
The ale-style Shinshu beer was exquisite—truly a taste of Shinshu’s bounty!
It was the perfect post-bath bliss—absolutely heavenly!
Not Just an Office!? “Temple Office” Brings Out the Unique Charm
As I wandered around the temple lodging, I spotted a sign that didn’t say “Office” but “Temple Office”!
This uniquely temple-like wording gave me a little chuckle!
Completely Satisfied with Hearty Shojin Ryori
Dinner was a beautifully crafted Shojin Ryori meal, full of seasonal flavors!
Now I understood why they told me to “go easy” earlier!
The portions were far more filling than they looked—my stomach was completely full!
I enjoyed it with a bottle of crisp white wine.
Everything was delicious, and I was completely satisfied.
A Perfect Shot of the Supermoon and the Six Jizo Statues
After dinner, we took a stroll around the illuminated Zenkoji Temple to walk off the meal.
As they opened the gate for us, we stepped out to find… the October 17th Supermoon!
The combination of the Six Jizo Statues and the Supermoon was too perfect to resist—I grabbed my camera and captured an incredible shot!
A Journey to Paradise with the Morning Ritual Experience
The next morning at 5:50, we gathered and were led to Zenkoji by Fuchinobo’s vice priest.
During the "Juzu Chodai" ceremony, a string of prayer beads was gently tapped on my head, blessing me with sacred energy.
I also took on the challenge of the “Okaidan Meguri”!
Feeling my way through the pitch dark, I couldn’t help but give a little fist pump when I finally reached the “Key to Paradise.”
It was truly a moment of feeling “connected” with the Buddha himself.
This special morning ritual, unique to a temple lodging stay, included prayers for my safe travels and even a rare view of the Buddha usually hidden behind the curtain.
It was a truly special and luxurious moment filled with gratitude!
I ended with a nourishing breakfast, leaving Fuchinobo with a promise to myself: “I’ll be back.”
I highly recommend a stay at Fuchinobo to refresh both your mind and body!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
