506-0025 Gifu, Takayama, Takayama-shi Tenmanmachi 4-3 Zenko-ji, Japan
#22 of 92 hotels in Takayama
Guests' ChoiceBased on 136 hotel reviews
8.9Cleanliness
9.3
Comfort
9.3
Location
9.3
Facilities
9.1
Staff
9.5
Value for money
8.5
Free WiFi
9.1
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End of dialog contentReviewed: 22 May 2024
Filicia
SingaporeQuiet and tranquil. Very Clean and comfortable
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 15 May 2024
Poo
SwitzerlandI was given a room which I felt was slightly inconvenient, and made me uncomfortable. To reach the bathroom-washrooms, I had to cross the prayer/meditation area and had on two occasions, disturbed on-going sessions.
The location was conveniently close to the train/bus stations, as well as centrally located for visiting Takayama, and its sights. The idea of staying in a temple was new for me, and it was a novel experience. I did not, however; avail myself to the yoga, prayer and meditation the temple offered.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 12 April 2024
Mccarthy
VietnamGorgeous place, a very unique experience. Very friendly staff there. Room was traditional and beautiful. Bonus that it came with its own washer and dryer. Got up to take part in the morning prayers and was glad I did - the head priest took the time afterwards to tell me a bit about Buddhism. I was there when it was snowing and it felt unreal to look out into the gorgeous little temple garden from my room. Would love to come back some day.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 6 April 2024
Helena
United StatesFrom the photos, I had in mind a zen garden that guests can enjoy but it turned out that nobody can enter the garden and only certain rooms have garden views. I ended up in a room by the front door facing the street without any view.
The facilities are clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I did the onigiri miso soup cooking class in the morning and it was enjoyable.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 5 April 2024
Monica
RomaniaIt was cold inside the room, and even though we had heated mattresses, the temperature in the room was below normal for our comfort. Nevertheless, the air-conditioning and heating lamp could ameliorate a little the discomfort, but as they both were noisy, we had to stop them during the night.
It was an awesome experience! The staff was very nice and the atmosphere beyond our expectations! The garden had an old-time vibe, and having a coffee while contemplating it was excellent. Unfortunately, the monk couldn't be present to officiate the morning prayer, but as we stay 2 more nights in Takayama at another hotel, we will be able to join when he returns.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 1 April 2024
Catherine
BelgiumWe enjoyed the breakfast workshop and the dressup in traditional kimono. A lot of snow during our stay and it was cold, but the heating for the futton was just great.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 23 March 2024
Helen
AustraliaIt was a great experience to stay in a temple and join the monks for morning chants and meditation. The rooms were warm (it was snowing outside) and authentic.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 3 March 2024
Junko
United StatesNothing about the property. The day we stayed was snowing and freezing cold. The temple doesn’t have a good insulation. It was very cold to walk around, however they prepare the room to be warm. We had a heating pump and oil heater in the room, get the room heated up quickly and heating pad in the bed. Very nice and warm to sleep.
Staying in the temple is unique experience unlike regular, business hotel
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 24 February 2024
Jan
AustraliaEnjoyed experience of staying at the temple. (Including the challenge of 6 travellers with 1 bathroom!) Staff were welcoming with good introduction to facilities. We enjoyed our morning prayer.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 23 February 2024
Alejandra
ChileLocation was not that great.
It was such a good experience , comfy futons, warm bedroom, fantastic bath and shower, washing machine in room. Everyone was lovely and helpful. Meditation and walking in the dark experiences were great. One of the highlights of our trip.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 16 February 2024
Louise
AustraliaThe warm welcome from the staff and the gorgeous cosy accommodation. It was all beautiful. The prayers and meditation finished off a great couple of nights.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 12 February 2024
Sagi
AustriaNothing bad to say. Simply come with the right expectations and an open mind and you will have a great time. We had some really nice conversations there, learned about Japanese culture, about Buddhism, temples in Japan, etc.
We (my wife and I) stayed in the Zenko-Ji Temple hotel for one night and had a fantastic experience. We were greeted warmly right from the beginning by the friendly staff and could check in despite arriving a bit before the check-in time. After the quick check-in we had a small tour of the place and got an introduction to the temple and the various possible activities we can partake in. We had a lovely room (Sakura room), nothing fancy but very fitting to the place itself- traditional, simplistic yet comfortable. The next day we joined the morning prayer at 7:00 am which is highly recommended. Afterwards we also had a meditation session with the head monk who runs the temple/hotel. It was a great experience with some useful insights about meditation. Overall I would highly recommend staying here. It's not a place for a fancy stay but a place that can offer an insight to Buddhism in Japan, where you can have lovely conversations with the friendly staff and enjoy a peaceful environment.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 10 February 2024
Kem
AustraliaIt was very cold at night and the trek to the bathroom was a bit daunting. However, the cold was part of the experience, so I don't really fault it. The heating and bedding were sufficient, but the building is very old.
It was amazing to be staying inside a very old temple, just off the shrine room. The staff were great. They couldn't help enough. The shared bathroom was amazing, but requires booking. Breakfast was available at a quaint cafe over the road. Stepping outside to fresh snow in the morning was an amazing experience.
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 29 January 2024
Nicholas
AustraliaNothing.
Everything was great. Best mattresses we slept on in Japan. Comfortable.
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 19 January 2024
Casey
AustraliaThe place is so peaceful and beautiful temple room inside. The room was big and so comfortable. praying session in the morning was very amazing experience for us
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 15 January 2024
Por
ThailandThe temple was VERY COLD in winter (January when i arrived) The manager priest using high power kerosene gas heater to warm us up. But the one in my room was defect a little bit, and i can smell kerosene in my room. So, i decided to turn it off and rely on A/C and electric blanket, and they are comfy. The walk way to toilet was FREEZING, but my experience was great. Still love this place
The priest manager, the facility and the chanting event in the morning they invited us. Good service, kitchen and refrigerator are available. Excellent bathroom & toilet (just too far away from my Moon-room, but that's not a problem.
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 28 December 2023
Kevin
SingaporeNil
We like the calmness and serenity of the facility. Wonderful staff and Head Priest who were so patient and kind. The temple was clean and allowed us the space to reflect. The room was comfortable and had sufficient heating. The in room washroom and washer/dryer was excellent. We participated in the temple activities such as the morning prayer, sutra copying and a search for a key in a dark room. All of them were wonderful experiences which we will treasure. We will highly recommend this hotel to our family and friends. Thank you for having us.
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 24 December 2023
Jasmyn
United KingdomSuch a wonderful experience staying the night in a temple. So peaceful and the room was comfortable and warm, even with the snow coming down outside.
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 21 December 2023
Lynn
SingaporeUnique experience staying in a Japanese temple .
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 20 December 2023
Kim
SingaporeNone.
It’s clean, peaceful and location is good.
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 20 December 2023
Bazuka1995
AustraliaThe morning prayers was an amazing experience to witness. They even got us to join on on a specific part.
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 14 December 2023
Cherie
United KingdomOf course the temple is quite chilly in places as it’s winter now however there are 3 powerful heaters in the room that work really well so it was not too bad other than when you cross to the communal areas you can feel a bit cold
This temple stay was exceptional. Everything from the room, facilities, staff and the whole experience was fantastic. Unforgettable! It is very very clean, has so many facilities to use in the room I especially liked the use of the free washing machine and dryer in my room (flower room) and the morning prayer ceremony was interesting. I also opted for meditation which I also enjoyed. Monk Keiji san was extremely friendly and helpful, which made coming to a temple stay for the first time as a solo traveller much less daunting. Thank you!
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 27 November 2023
Damodaran
SingaporeNothing
The room was spacious, pristine and the bedding, super comfortable. The sleeping space is uncluttered as the room is compartmentalised, there was a separate space for bags, bathroom, toilet and washing machine. Though the temple is in central Takayama, it was quiet and peaceful with a beautiful view of a Zen garden. The head priest was not just fluent in English but explained the philosophy and psychological aspects of Buddhism relevant to modern living. I personally enjoyed the morning prayers and meditation session. It was a good way to start the day. I would do such a temple stay again,
Stayed in November 2023
Reviewed: 24 November 2023
Marissa
JapanWas a little pricey but would have been ok shared with 3 people
Great location. Lovely and modern for a temple stay
Stayed in November 2023
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