Kakurinbo is the most special place. Nestled in the trees on the side of Mount Minobu, this gorgeous temple stay is an absolute must visit. The staff are so wonderful and welcoming, they are a huge part of what makes this stay so special. The food is incredible. We had every dinner and breakfast provided, and the delicious display of diverse local foods was a highlight of every day. It is also the perfect location to immerse yourself in the rich history and spirituality of the area. We were so close to the Kuonji temple (15 mins walk), we could hear the bells ringing each morning. Kakurinbo was also very easy to get to. Coming from Tokyo, it was one bus from Shinjuku station, with some breathtaking mountain views along the way. I cannot recommend this establishment enough, from the incredible food to the excellent service, please add Kakurinbo to your Japan itinerary. We would go back in a heartbeat. PS: I recommend staying AT LEAST two nights. We stayed for three and it was the perfect amount of time to enjoy the full experience.

Such a wonderful and refreshing stay! We spent 1 night here, and I wish we could’ve stayed longer because it was everything I’d hoped for. The staff were very attentive with explaining everything to us, and the food was delicious; it was great to try so many different dishes. The futon was the most comfortable I’ve had in Japan. The surroundings were absolutely unreal and the temple, beautiful. We were feeling very grateful to have this experience, as it was something we didn’t think would be possible as tattooed people travelling Japan, but getting to stay at the temple and use the baths was lovely! I would love to visit again to engage with more of the activities on offer, as we didn’t have time on our 1 night stay!

Beautiful location next to the Kuon-ji temple complex. The heritage building with its garden is truly stunning. We stayed in a small pavilion with a private bathroom, which was very modern and comfortable. We highly valued the superb quality of the food, in particular the large variety in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Most memorable was the impeccable service and attention by all of the wonderful staff. Already at the check-in Juri made us feel most welcome and she explained many cultural details around the complex during our stay. We will definitely recommend Kakurinbo to our friends and we are looking forward to coming back in the future.

We had such a memorable experience at Kakurinbo! The team is so friendly and accommodating. The food was prepared with so much love and care, and was among my favorite meals while visiting Japan. So healthy and nourishing. We opted to make seals (hanko) and a traditional tea ceremony. Both were so fun and a unique experience. We spent both activities with a woman named Tomo who took extra good care of us, she even dropped us off at the station the day we left and sent us off. Definitely wake up at 5am to see the monks and participate in the service at the temple up on the hill. This is a great 2-3 day excursion to slip into your Japan intinerary.

We stayed at Kakurinbo for two nights, hoping for some off the beaten path experiences that included some nature. It was everything we could’ve hoped for and more! The 2.5 hour hike up Minobu mountain with Zeko (the monk) was a big highlight. The mountain is stunning throughout the whole hike and you get look out points that are breathtaking as well as visits to temples on the way. We loved the authentic Buddhist activities that they shared as well, the morning service was really memorable! Our translator and guide, Tomo, was the BEST. She was a huge part of our trip. If you want an extra bit of luxury, stay at the guest villa. It is a beautiful home. If you’re looking for authentic spirituality, nature, and serenity… skip Kyoto and visit Minobu instead. We will be back!!