Name: Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji
Address: 4 3 Tenman Cho, Takayama, 506-0025, JP

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2026

Angelina

Just a lovely unique experience. The staff are extremely helpful and responsive, the various temple experiences are great, and the overall atmosphere is extremely relaxing.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

Harriet

This is such a special place to stay - a temple in a beautiful town in the mountains, incredibly comfortable and well looked after. We met some lovely people - both monks and other visitors. Our room had the most peaceful view too. We extended a night and I would absolutely visit again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2025

Crissy

Interesting! Rooms were traditional and simple…as we expected. Had a delightful conversation with the resident Monk!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2025

Fleur

Wonderful experience to stay in a temple hotel. Events, such as, prayers and meditation available in the temple for guests. Central location and walking distance to shops, restaurants and places of interest. Traditional bedroom with tatami mat floors and a zen garden in the middle. Staff are very helpful and welcoming. Social area with tea, coffee, fridge, microwave etc. also available. Loved it.

10/10

Exceptional

20 May 2025

Lisa

Es war wunderschön, für zwei Nächte in diesem zauberhaften Tempel übernachten zu dürfen. Die Menschen sind wundervoll und wir sind sehr dankbar für diese Erfahrung. Ganz besonders haben uns das Morgengebet und die Meditation und Gespräche mit dem Mönch und den anderen lieben Menschen gerührt. Danke für diese einzigartige Erfahrung! Auch das Onigiri-Zubereiten hat so viel Spaß gemacht und die Miso Suppe war die beste überhaupt! Unsere Onigiri haben auch großartig geschmeckt und wir haben dazu noch viel gelernt. Danke für alles!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2025

Nicholas

Amazing Stay

Very cool place to stay. Everyone is very nice and the activities are rewarding. While it wasn't a problem for us -- there are realities to the moon room if you choose it. It's cold, but there are heated blankets and space heaters. You can hear everything outside very clearly, and there is a prayer and meditation service from 7 to 9 that will be very audible as you are in a room directly connected to these services. If you don't plan to attend the services and you are a light sleeper that wants to sleep in, heed this advice!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Feb 2025

Stephanie

Incredible and unique experience to stay at this property!

It was VERY VERY cold though (mid Feb). No real heating aside from space heaters dispersed around the temple. We are Canadians and used to the cold and at times it was uncomfortable.

Despite this, we’d stay again. Our kids loved the rice ball making class and we did the spirit awakening experience as well which was very cool.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2023

Jennifer

The best part of our stay was the bedroom location. We had shakara room which is in the front and most private. There are rooms that have to walk either across the temple for shared bathroom or right next to the bathroom where there may be more noise. Not a fan of the only one bathroom. And water provided would have been nice. Showers have to be scheduled on time board since it is shared. Nice host and clean. Towels need improvement. Quality and quantity.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

27 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

We had a lovely stay - we read some reviews that suggested our room would be cold or bright but it was neither. There were heaters in the room and also thick curtains.

Was great to have a fully equipped kitchen in a beautiful setting.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2020

Julie

An excellent experience

Beautiful setting in a monastery. We were greeted with tea and shown around. They staff and monks were very friendly and encouraged us to attend the morning ceremony, which we did.

The bedding was Japanese futons with a soft top layer and electric blankets. Hard but acceptable. As should be expected, the monastery is old and not well insulated. The heater was running full blast trying to keep the room at 18. There are no chairs in the room but there is a cosy shared lounge and kitchen. You can make meals and breakfast. Coffee and tea are provided. The bathroom is shared. There are only two for all the guests one with toilet and sink and other with sink, shower and bath (very pretty design - this can be “reserved” for over an hour by rooms). I did have to wait quite a while on one occasion to use the toilet room while people were brushing their teeth etc

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Temple Hotel Zenkoji was so much more than I could have ever expected. The staff were super attentive & welcoming, the location was central & extremely walkable, and the experience of staying inside a buddhist temple cannot be matched! Having a kitchen and private soaking tub was an added bonus.

The monk that was staying for a few days even led a ceremony, and there are more activities within the hotel itself.

I woke up every morning in disbelief where I was. While I've been to Japan many times, this was one of the most memorable experiences.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Just a beautiful, peaceful place to stay...wonderful staff, close to all tourist attractions and conveniences. Loved Ramayana!

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

10 Oct 2019

Anastasya

Vacation in Japan

Very unique experience for sure. We stayed during Autumn festival so the rooms with the private bathroom and garden were already booked. But our room was great as well, bedding is warm and comfortable. Sleeping on the floor, no TV or tables. There is A/C, power outlets and wifi though in the room. We didn't have problems using shared bathroom and shower, which you have to sign up for.
We explored the hidden passage under the temple. And enjoyed the Singing Bowl experience. Temple interior is gorgeous and we could see it as much and often as we wanted since our room was just a door apart from it.
Personnel was nice, friendly and helpful.
It's a bit too pricey but it probably was because of the holiday.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

10 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Certainly unique in temple setting. I stayed two nights and there was no service in the room the whole period. I would have appreciated the option of a chair, as well as sitting in the floor. I clearly had not appreciated what the experience would be like.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2019

ASI

Quiet and calm setting, relaxing place to stay. Small but adequate kitchen, bath, and sitting areas. My preference was to use the local sentou for bathing, Spa House Yutopia, 5 min walk. Monday -Wed are quite in Takayama, but on weekends the old part of town comes to life. Takayama is walkable from Zenko-ji. Overall, a great place to stay.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

21 May 2019

Andrew

We had one of the 2 rooms at the very front of the building, which unfortunately was very loud in the early morning due to traffic and generally people walking past/visiting the temple. The other issue was that there was a large group staying in the other rooms and as our room door was at the entrance hall, upon leaving they were very loud and even blocked our door with their suitcases and bags so we couldn’t get out. Not the temples fault, but maybe a good idea to tell the other guests there is a room directly aside this area before they check in and out? Having said all of this, it’s genuinely a privilege to stay here. The room looked directly at the temple steps once you slid back the doors, the staff were great and the shared facilities were 5 star. If you get get a garden room do it. Still a great stay, but a bit more detail needed if you’re at the front 2 rooms.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2019

HelenFeltovich

The staff are amazingly kind and helpful. Miwa is so charming and kind! She even invited us to join her friends at a local festival, which was the high point of our stay in Takayama.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2019

Robyn

Must stay Zenkoji-Ji takayama for a great tradtion

Fabulous stay at Zenkoji-Ji temple , the serenity was peaceful and we were able to cook a meal without any fuss. Great secure location, staff attentive, amenities adequate . Our room was warm and cosy with the addition of electric blankets, soft pillows and fluffy doonas .

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Staying temple was really unique experience. Renovation was done really nicely; traditional rooms were kept in good confition, and modern bathroom and laundry unit etc was installed. Very stykish yet blending well with original units. Quality of amenity was really nice too.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2026

Stellina

Nous avons passé une nuit merveilleuse dans le temple lors de notre séjour à Takayama : le temple et notre chambre étaient incroyablement apaisants et nous y avons passé l'une de nos meilleures nuits. Les hôtes nous ont très bien conseillé pour le dîner. Le meilleur moment reste la cérémonie du matin où le moine nous a partagé une réelle expérience de vie. Petit bonus : de nombreux ateliers pour agrémenter votre séjour !

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Oct 2025

Fabio F

Imersão em uma hospedagem dentro de um tempo japones. Atendentes muito cordiais

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2025

Haim

Magnifique à tout niveau, merci beaucoup!

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

15 Sep 2025

Thor

Vi havde virkelig set frem til dette ophold. Vi havde særligt glædet os til at opleve atmosfæren, energien og ikke mindst templets flotte have.
Både atmosfæren og stemning på templet var helt unik. Vi var meget taknemlige

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2025

Ying-Yi

體驗不一樣的住宿經驗
提供設施良好

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2025

Agnes

We had a great stay at the temple-it was pristine clean, calm and very enjoyable!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2025

Ana Paula

It was a magical experience. Huge room. Very friendly staff. Offering of extra experiences as medidation is a plus.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2022

SHUICHI

お寺体験

お寺体験がいろいろできたのはよかったです。写真に出ているお庭を鑑賞する機会がなかったのがちょっと残念かな。。

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2022

Verified traveler

Amazing experience - Temple Stay

I've had the most incredible time at the temple. It's a cultural immersion and I recommend it to everyone!

Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

良かったです！
また行きたいです！

8/10

Excellent

08 Jun 2021

KENZO

お寺の宿泊という素晴らしい経験/Excellent experience at Temple

日曜日の7時からのお勤め（修行）が素晴らしい体験でした。外国人の滞在が多く、それも価値はありますが、日本人にこそお勧めしたい体験です。

特に欧州に滞在した経験がある方は、キリスト教やイスラム教などのビビッとな信念のある宗教感に対して、自分の宗教感のあやふやさに劣等感を感じたりします。そうした若い頃からの漠然としたものに、ストンと落ちるような話と体験を得られました。自分探しをしていたときに何度か見聞きしていた言葉であっても、住職自身が100%の確信ではなくても、何かの赦しを得た感謝と、「伝わった」時です。

宿泊施設としても良い場所です。一軒家をシェアしている感覚なので、隣から物音が聞こえたり、挨拶しても反応するもない、外国人がいたり、そういうのが苦手な形にはお勧め出来ませんが、20代にロンドンで、多国籍の中で1ヶ月シェアハウスした時の時間が蘇り、私の中では本当に素敵な時間でした。周辺の環境含め、場所の便利さも素晴らしいですが、ビジネスホテル代わりという感じではなく、時間がある旅行、できればお勤めがある日に滞在して頂きたいです。

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Wir haben ein sehr großzügiges Zimmer gebucht, welches aus drei Räumen sowie privatem Badezimmer mit WC bestand. Wir konnten alle Schiebewände verstellen und die freie Sicht auf den Garten genießen (auch hier ist eine Glasfront mit Schiebetüren, die wir öffnen konnten). Die Zimmer haben Heizkörper, die sehr schnell für Wärme sorgen.

Spannend ist der im Hotel liegende Tempel und die sehr angenehme Ruhe. Für uns war dieses Hotel das Highlight unserer Rundreise. Leider mussten wir einen Tag früher abreisen, weil der Typhoon Hagibis näher kam und wir weiter Richtung Westen wollten, um auf Nummer sicher zu gehen. Wir haben unsere Abreise sehr bedauert.

Noch etwas zum Ort: Die Altstadt ist wunderschön und Richtung Osten gibt es auch einige sehenswerte Tempel. Am Abend findet man tolle Restaurants mit Hida-Rind (Wagyu) in fussläufiger Umgebung. Als Ausgangsort für einen Tagesausflug nach Shirakawa sehr geeignet.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Uniek om in een tempel te overnachten. Zeer vriendelijk personeel. Schoon. In het centrum

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

30 Aug 2019

Miguel Angel

Experiencia interesante pero cara

Tiene su gracia alojarse en las instalaciones de un templo, pero el sobreprecio es exclusivamente por eso, ya que por lo demás las instalaciones son regulares. No hay aire acondicionado, la cocina/nevera son compartidas y la recepción funciona de 9 a 21 h.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

L’accueil était parfait. La chambre flower est superbe. Exceptionnelle vue sur le jardin zen. Très calme. Matelas au sol très confortable. Les lieux invitent au calme et à la tranquillité. Inoubliable.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2019

jerome

Original (mais rapport qualité prix à revoir ?)

Un temple qui fait hôtel avec des chambres tout équipées voire avec vue sur un très joli jardin zen, mais aussi 2 chambres qui partagent salle de bain et toilettes, dont la notre, la Sakura. Qui donnait sur la rue. Donc prévoir bouchons antibruit. Petite avec des matelas assez sommaires mais nous avons bien dormi. La salle de bain est vraiment très belle et nécessite de poser des créneaux de réservation sur des plages horaires spécifiques. Cela se gère plutôt bien sauf à avoir les occupants de l'autre chambre qui mettent des créneaux de 4 h de réservation !!! Ce que nous avons vécu. Cuisine partagée avec un bac de frigo par chambre, c'était bien pr le budget. Personnel plutôt accueillant, dont une personne vraiment sympa qui ayant vécu en France a bien voulu parler français tandis que nous essayons nous de parler japonais ! Vraiment agréable comme contact et cette personne était vraiment aux petits soins. Bref un séjour vraiment bien (Takayama vaut le coup et on peut faire plein de belles promenades aux alentours à coup de car), mais vu le confort de la chambre et les salles partagées, le tarif de notre chambre me paraît d un rapport qualité prix à revoir... Mais on dort ds un temple avec accès aux espaces de méditation et de prières donc ceci justifie peut être cela. C'est une expérience en tout cas !

Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Accueil chaleureux, mais nous avons-nous été déçues par notre notre chambre borgne et par le fait qu’il n’y ait pas d’accès sur le jardin .

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

静かに過ごすことが出来て満足です。
お寺のプログラムには、ゆっくり出来た時に参加したいです。清潔でスタッフも感じのいい方でした。

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2019

Jean

Recommended hotel

Great hotel. I highly recommend it. The installations are top. The bathroom is wonderful. The neighbourhood is quiet.
The hotel has umbrellas if ever it rains and you need one. There are activities organised in the temple itself. We did the « underground » one, and we recommend.
Location, it is 10min walk from train station. In front of the temple, there is a small coffee with best value breakfast (350¥) which seems popular to local people. Besides if you can read japanese, they have a manga wall

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2019

Verified traveler

New experience living in a temple! Very nice staff!

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

24 May 2019

Verified traveler

Les toilettes disposaient d'un système de mousse incroyable (toilettes panasonic). Le jardin était joli mais non éclairé le soir, fort dommage.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2019

Thomas

Almost perfect

The place is incredibly beautiful (special mention to the bathroom you have to make a reservation for, feels like a private spa) and the staff very helpful and friendly. Very cold in winter but you have amazing comforters and double heaters everywhere. Not the best value for money however if you are staying in the cheapest rooms. Maybe if dinner came with the room it would be perfect.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2019

YONGHUN

다카야마의 훌륭한 숙소!

두 명이 숙박하기에 정말 쾌적하고 좋았습니다! 와실 느낌의 정갈한 방과 부족함 없는 어매니티, 훌륭한 위치까지. 다카야마 관광객들에게 추천합니다.

Partner