Shunkō-in Temple

We were treated to unusually heavy rain for our meditation day. The sound added to the fabulous atmosphere. The meditation and zen Buddhist guide were very accessible. He was extremely knowledgeable and approachable. I appreciated his meditation and talk. Some of the best teachers I have experienced are real world people that have learned to apply teachings into modern life. Go. Listen with an open heart. You might learn something, but if not, it’s a really beautiful garden and temple to enjoy a quiet few hours in anyway.

Staying at Shunkoin Temple was a great experience. An easy walk from the train station. The grounds are beautiful and quiet. It was so nice to wake up in the mornings to the prayer bells. The rooms are sparsely furnished, but they are very comfortable and spacious. We did the meditation and tour with the priest - and I highly recommend it. It was a great introduction to meditation. There are bikes available so you can explore the neighbourhood. Lots of great (and unique) restaurants in the area. I would definitely stay here again - for longer next time!

The Overnight Zen Retreat is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The third generation Zen master who is the Head Priest for the gorgeously spiritual Shunko-in temple complex led us expertly through the tenets of Zen philosophy and meditation techniques and answered generously any question we had. A Tea Master took us through a beautifully ritual tea ceremony, and a calligraphy instructor showed us how that craft links to Zen concepts. The Buddhist vegetarian food was spectacular and the rooms in the temple grounds very comfortable.

I wish we had a more interactive experience at this zen temple, beyond the wonderful meditation we participated in, but the group I was traveling with had other plans on the itinerary. This temple is located a short distance from Kyoto Station, and is a gorgeous temple complex. It was nice to walk in the mornings around the temples to find some peace and quiet, and observe locals on their way to work or school. ||The accommodations are very clean and traditional. Tatami mats on the floor, and overall a very pleasant atmosphere. The pillows were not very comfortable...I think they may have been stuffed with rice? But that's only a small personal preference. Otherwise, this temple was really quite nice and I liked its location, which was near to convenience stores, other famous sites in Kyoto, and a train station (Hanazono).

It was a unique and magical experience in a wonderful place. We spent time walking around the temple gardens, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings. The meditation was very haunting but intense, and the green tea with a ceremonial added to the sense of peace we felt as we walked around the temples. It is certainly an experience I will always remember!

We stayed here for three nights in a family room and it was perfect. The temple income from the guest house is an income stream to help renovate their buildings, so it was nice to be able to contribute. The surroundings are very, very peaceful, in a complex of other Buddhist Temples so it is very atmospheric, but not cut off from the surrounding community. Our room had private bathroom facilities with traditional beds, and shared communal kitchen with free tea and coffee. There are plenty of traditional workshops on offer, from Zen Buddism to calligraphy etc. which the reception staff are pleased to advise on. Perfect English is spoken by the staff for anyone worried about language and they are very helpful and informative giving out travel information, maps, locations of points of interest, local eateries and convenience stores when you check in.|The Temple complex itself is a little way out of the centre of Kyoto, but the transport links are excellent, with the JR station only a short 5 minute walk away, then 2 or 3 stops to Kyoto centre (depending on where you want to go). Bicycles also free to use at the Temple and the city is very easy to cycle around.|Very close to nearby places of interest, such as the Bamboo grove, Golden Templeand the Rock Garden of Ryoaniji with Nijo Castle just a little further away. |They charge very reasonable prices and you get a chance to experience something really lovely. If you can manage to sleep in a traditional bed I would thoroughly recommend staying here.

An overnight stay really soothed my soul after the frenetic pace of Tokyo. I was welcomed so warmly by Joyce and shown to a spacious room (double the size of 3 star hotel rooms). The lack of clutter was so refreshing and I had a peaceful nights sleep. Next morning I attended the meditation class offered by the temple which was so uplifting and calming. Joyce had given me lots of information about exploring other local temples and zen gardens which I did for the rest of the day. Great way to spend time in Kyoto getting a sense of traditional culture.

Best stay in our 6-week allover Japan trip! Our room was spacious, meticulously clean and we had a private toilet and shower (normal sized!). Staff are friendly and helpful. The common kitchen/pantry is well stocked. Peaceful environs, ideal for meditations (sitting and walking). Highly recommend the zen meditation classes here by a super wise and humourous English speaking monk.

Though we had a bit of trouble finding it as it's packed tight with other temples in a large area, it was worth it. Plus, I had beer with me, so I was patient. The temple itself is relatively small in comparison to many we had been to, but just as beautiful to see. They offer meditation class complete with tea for both the public and people staying. The staff were great. It's the only temple in the area where people can stay that have English speaking staff. The room was very comfortable, and quite a good size. Private bathroom, comfortable traditional bedding, and a quiet atmosphere. Bring Omiyage with you (A gift from your country) for the staff and monks. It doesn't have to be expensive, but is a nice way to thank them for their hospitality. As a Canadian, it was obvious what to bring: Maple syrup. It's very expensive in Japan, so they definitely appreciated it. Monks love sweets. This I learned very quickly.

Hands down five stars. Not five stars in the traditional, Four Seasons lap of luxury sense, but five stars for the overall experience that I'm not sure I'll ever get to repeat elsewhere. This temple is tucked in the middle of a temple complex-think small neighborhood full of only temples. The complex is enclosed by two beautiful gates-one at the north end and one at the south end. It's maze of beautiful temple after beautiful temple. Shunkoin is a bit hard to find at first but once you get your bearings, it's not so bad. The temple is only open to those signed up for a meditation class or staying in the guest house. The guest house has eight rooms (I think) and a common room/kitchen. The rooms are basic and spotlessly clean. Two Japanese futons, a desk and that's it. There was ample closet space given the size of the room. Bathrooms are en-suite though the toilet is separate from the shower and sink. The common room includes a complete kitchen as well as several guide books. A map of the area (complete with nearby restaurant suggestions, coffee shops, stores, etc) is also provided at check-in. The staff was amazingly friendly. Bikes are available for use free of charge! You just have to sign them in and out. We used them a handful of times. All were in good condition and equipped with a basket, light and lock/key. We attended the meditation class which was nice. It is typically one hour and followed by a tour and tea. There was a special event the day we took the class so didn't get the tour and tea but the class was still a cool experience. It was led by a priest of the temple and incredibly thought-provoking. Highly recommend this temple stay.