Saimonin

Comentarios destacados

• flownjoe8

  20 agosto 2019
  Simple, austere, but nice experience

  Staying at Saimonin was a good experience although there are a few things that it would have been helpful to know beforehand: - One doesn't necessarily see the monks or gain insight into their life. One person checked us in and showed us to our room, in which our food was already set out waiting for us, and we saw a monk the next morning conducting a prayer ceremony - that was it. I assume the monks live and practice in a separate part of the temple. - I had been told by other people that you could participate in a meditation sitting with the monks, but in fact, the only activity going on is a prayer ceremony that takes place at 7am by one monk, which is something to observe, rather than being participatory, and it is all in Japanese. - Be aware that Saimonin has a 9 pm curfew, and the doors to the temple do not open until approx 7:30 am the next morning. (I think this is stricter than other temples in the area) We wanted to see the cemetery in the misty dawn light, before all the tourists arrived, but couldn't leave the temple until the sun was already fully up and the cemetery was active by then. - The communal bathing facilities are only available to use between 5-9 pm on an evening, although there are communal washbasins and toilets available. - Other than the morning prayer ceremony, there are no communal activities, such as tours of the cemetery or classes, as there are in other temples. Even meals are eaten alone in your room, and often delivered by someone when you are out so you hardly see anyone at all during your stay. - Saimonin felt like a simple, more austere place. I had the impression that the people who worked there, whilst polite, did not necessarily enjoy dealing with the guests, and seemed a bit irritated. Don't expect to be treated like a hotel guest. Having said all that, it was a nice experience - the vegetarian food was truly delicious! - the room was spacious and comfortable - the location of the temple is great and only a 10 min walk from the famous cemetery (which is amazing!).

  

• justjayjam

  13 octubre 2019
  Lovely temple, good food, average stay

  The temple itself is nice and simple. The food was lovely, and copious, especially as I am vegetarian (so I loved the shojin-ryori). The accommodation was a basic, which wouldn't have been a problem except for the damp smell throughout. It felt muggy all the time in the room. It was totally bearable, but given that it's the same price for staying there as more foreigner-friendly ones, I was expecting parity. Curfew is 9pm - beware in case you do the nighttime cemetery walk run by Enoin. Baths are only open 5-9pm. DInner is served between 5.30-7pm, in your room. There is a morning prayer, which we were told was at 6am. When we got there at 6am, there was noone there. So we went back to our rooms and tried again at 6.30am - noone there. So we tried again at 7pm and lo and behold. This was very frustrating as we could've had another hour in bed! Prayers were understandably in Japanese; there was an explanation after but sadly that was all in Japanese. Mr Hiro, the host, is friendly and helpful and speaks decent English. I wouldn't stay here again, not for the amount they charge.

  

• fjracine

  15 octubre 2019
  very peaceful place

  We enjoyed this one night stay with excellent and typical food and a very peaceful prayer the following morning. We had a typical Japanese evening meal. This is central to visiting the many places Koyasan has on offer

  

• Daniel H

  16 octubre 2019
  Peaceful place, lovely hosts

  Saimonin was the perfect place for us in Koyasan. The temple is beautiful, with a gate, entrance and garden. Our room was simple, but beautiful and clean with a view of the garden. Just to set expectations, you sleep on two mini-mattresses on the floor, which admittedly are not the most comfortable in the world but part of the experience of staying in a temple. Dinner came at 6:00pm and was a feast. I've heard that people were left hungry at other temples, but this wasn't a problem at all. We struggled to finish our meals.

  

• bubusettete83

  13 enero 2020
  Wonderful experience

  Maximum rating for a place that doesnt even have a warm bathroom (on top of this... shared)? A place where I have really struggled to eat something for dinner (since I was not much liking it)? Am I crazy? No, Im not. I rate the great experience, the spirituality, the care and the kindness. I dont know whether the other monastery of the area are better or worse and, honestly, I dont care, because, in its imperfection, this place was just perfect for us.