Fukuchi-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging)

697. Fukuchi-in Temple, Koyasan, Wakayama (pt.1) ★★ Buddhist temple with overnight accommodation. The only one on Koyasan with a natural onsen. Stayed overnight for one with meals. The overall experience is similar to a ryokan with simple service. Booked a room on Trip.com. Of the two options, I took the one with a toilet. The room was very decent - three rooms and its own toilet. The heater/AC was enough to keep the room warm in November. View from the window of an old-style lantern. I've heard reviews that a similar-looking room on paper ended up being worse, but my experience was very pleasant. Dinner is a simplified, shortened version of kaiseki, but entirely vegetarian. Similar dishes appear in other kaiseki, so everything was familiar. Thought it would taste bland, but it was actually quite decent and I liked it. Served in a separate well-heated dining room at low tables on the floor. Breakfast is similar - looks like a simple Japanese breakfast but vegetarian. The atmosphere inside really feels like being in a large Buddhist temple. Even though there were many overnight guests from different countries, the atmosphere never became kitschy or artificial. There was a morning prayer and some additional activities available, which I didn't take. In November the corridors were cold, but wherever there was extended time spent it was comfortable temperature-wise: in the room, the dining hall, and the onsen changing room. Only during the morning prayer it was better to sit closer to the heater and dress warmly. One inconvenient restriction: the temple gates close at 21:00, so you need to return from the cemetery by then and can't be there late at night. This makes the evening quite packed: you need to fit in dinner, an onsen visit (part closes at 20:00), and a cemetery walk. Considering the combination of the unique temple accommodation format and quite decent baths - recommended for an overnight stay, a great experience. When booking, pay attention to the season to avoid discomfort from the cold. 14.11.2025 15.11.2025

697. Fukuchi-in Temple, Koyasan, Wakayama (pt.2) ★★ Onsen and bath details: 1. Main onsen. 1.1. Indoor bath with clear water, temperature around 42. Breathing inside is bearable. Open 15:00-09:00. 1.2. Sauna. Open 15:00-20:00. 1.3. Outdoor area. No view, but very cozy in the evening and overall better than you'd expect from baths at a temple. There's a hum from the equipment, but in my opinion it's a plus - creates a nice white noise. Open 15:00-20:00. 1.3.1. Rectangular bath with clear water, temperature around 39.5. 1.3.2. Two barrels with clear water, temperature around 39.5. 2. Carbonated bath in a separate room. Clear water, temperature around 39. Breathing inside is fine. Open 15:00-23:00. 14.11.2025 15.11.2025

Food for one at Fukuchi-in Temple (dinner and breakfast) 14.11.2025 15.11.2025