Guest Rooms Overlooking Kiyomizu-dera
One of Koyokan’s greatest attractions is the view from its guest rooms. The inn has six guest rooms, all positioned to face the Three-Story Pagoda and the historic temple grounds.
Each room is a spacious traditional Japanese-style room consisting of two connected rooms. The interiors feature carefully crafted details by local carpenters, while large windows open onto the lush scenery of Kiyomizu-dera.
The view changes dramatically with the seasons. Cherry blossoms brighten the grounds in spring, deep green foliage fills the landscape in summer, autumn brings vivid red and gold leaves, and snow creates a quiet winter scene. For guests, being able to enjoy these changing views directly from their room is one of the greatest luxuries of staying at Koyokan.
After dark, the Three-Story Pagoda is illuminated, transforming the temple grounds into a mystical landscape. Guests can enjoy this atmospheric nighttime view from their rooms, offering a completely different experience from the daytime scenery.
Traditional Shojin Ryori Made with Local Ingredients
For many visitors, the highlight of Koyokan is its traditional shojin ryori. This style of Buddhist cuisine is based on the principle of avoiding the taking of life and therefore does not use meat or fish. Instead, it makes creative use of vegetables, grains, tofu, seaweed, and other plant-based ingredients.
At Koyokan, traditional shojin ryori is presented with a refined, modern touch reminiscent of a Japanese kaiseki meal. Fresh vegetables and wild mountain plants from the local area are used to emphasize the natural flavors of each ingredient.
The cuisine also incorporates modern techniques such as fermentation, aging, and low-temperature cooking. In this way, Koyokan preserves the spirit of traditional Buddhist cuisine while exploring new possibilities for shojin ryori.
Creative Shojin Dishes
Representative dishes include sesame tofu, shojin-style squid sashimi, shojin-style grilled eel, simmered vegetables, and vegetable tempura. Each dish is carefully prepared to create an appealing combination of appearance, texture, and flavor.
One particularly interesting creation is shojin-style eel, made from plant-based ingredients such as soybeans. Its appearance and texture are designed to resemble traditional grilled eel, offering visitors an entertaining example of how Japanese Buddhist cuisine can recreate familiar dishes without using meat or fish.
A Relaxed Shojin Lunch
Koyokan welcomes not only overnight guests but also visitors who come simply to enjoy a meal. One popular option is the shojin lunch set, which provides an easy way for temple visitors and travelers to sample the inn’s traditional cuisine.
The menu features specialties such as sesame tofu, shojin-style eel, and Yuka, a refreshing dish with the fragrant aroma of yuzu citrus. The meal offers an enjoyable introduction to the distinctive flavors of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.
For those who would like a more elaborate experience, seasonal course meals are also available. The dishes make generous use of seasonal mountain vegetables and locally sourced produce, with the menu changing throughout the year to reflect the ingredients of each season.
A Special Stay in the Quiet Temple Grounds
Staying overnight at Koyokan allows visitors to experience Kiyomizu-dera in a way that is difficult to achieve on a short sightseeing visit. In the early morning, guests can walk through the temple grounds before the main flow of visitors arrives.
The quiet atmosphere of the mountain temple, combined with the historic buildings and surrounding forest, creates a peaceful setting for reflection and relaxation.
Kiyomizu-dera also holds morning Buddhist services. Depending on the schedule, visitors may be able to participate in experiences such as zazen meditation and shakyo, the traditional practice of hand-copying Buddhist sutras.
These activities offer a chance to step away from everyday life and experience a quieter side of Japanese temple culture.
Climb the Historic Three-Story Pagoda
The Three-Story Pagoda is one of Kiyomizu-dera’s most distinctive landmarks. Standing approximately 33 meters high, it is a rare wooden tahoto-style structure in the San’in region.
Unlike many traditional pagodas, this tower is known for allowing visitors to climb inside. From its upper levels, visitors can enjoy views across the surrounding landscape. On clear days, the scenery extends toward Mount Daisen and Lake Nakaumi.
Combining a stay at Koyokan with a visit to the pagoda provides a memorable way to appreciate both the architecture and natural surroundings of Kiyomizu-dera.
Surrounded by Nature Through Every Season
Koyokan is surrounded by the rich natural environment of Kiyomizu-dera, where flowers and plants provide beautiful scenery throughout the year.
In spring, cherry blossoms, mitsumata, and Japanese kerria add color to the temple grounds. Early summer brings azaleas and rhododendrons, while hydrangeas create a particularly beautiful atmosphere during the rainy season.
In summer, shara trees and water lilies add a quiet elegance to the scenery. When autumn arrives, the entire temple precinct becomes surrounded by brilliant red, orange, and yellow foliage.
Autumn is especially spectacular, as the surrounding mountains appear to be covered in a vast carpet of autumn colors. In late autumn, fallen ginkgo leaves create a golden carpet across the grounds, offering yet another beautiful seasonal scene.
For travelers who appreciate nature, staying at Koyokan offers the rare opportunity to experience these seasonal changes at close range and in the peaceful surroundings of a historic temple.
Stay Alongside the History of Kiyomizu-dera
Koyokan’s setting is inseparable from the history of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The temple is traditionally said to have been founded in 587 by the monk Sonryu and belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism.
For centuries, Kiyomizu-dera has been revered as a sacred place for protection from misfortune. Its extensive grounds contain historic structures including the Konpon-do Main Hall and the Three-Story Pagoda, making it one of the most important historic temples in the San’in region.
The approach to the temple is lined with large cedar trees, while stone-paved paths wind through the wooded grounds. A stay at Koyokan allows visitors to enjoy this historic environment at a slower pace than a typical sightseeing visit.
A Peaceful Mountain Retreat in Yasugi
Although Koyokan is located within the peaceful grounds of a mountain temple, it is relatively easy to reach from central Yasugi. The inn is approximately 15 minutes by car from Yonago-Nishi Interchange and can also be reached by bus from JR Yasugi Station.
It is also approximately 15 minutes by car from the Adachi Museum of Art, making it convenient to combine a stay at Koyokan with a visit to one of Japan’s best-known destinations for Japanese gardens and art.
Koyokan offers a rare opportunity to stay inside the grounds of a historic Japanese temple while enjoying traditional vegetarian cuisine and beautiful seasonal scenery.
For travelers seeking a quieter and more culturally immersive experience in the San’in region, spending time at Koyokan provides a chance to slow down, appreciate traditional architecture and cuisine, and experience the serene atmosphere of a Japanese mountain temple.