beautiful, calm

Stayed in April 2024

No major complaints. If you have a second floor room, the stairway can be a bit dicey wearing slippers.

Loved the traditional (and somewhat rustic) atmosphere of this temple stay. It was a convenient base for exploring Koyasan and quite close to some of the main attractions. The vegetarian Buddhist food, though perhaps unfamiliar to Westerners, was quite good. Dinner was served in our tatami mat floored room, breakfast in a common dining area. Was able to return from the cemetery night tour just before 9 pm curfew. Grounds were lovely. Beer and sake are available with dinner for an additional charge. A traditional Japanese bath is available late afternoon/evening. This is not a luxury hotel, and we did not expect it to be. As long as you have the proper expectations (e.g., you'll be sleeping on folding futons on the floor) it is a great experience.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

Everything

Stayed in April 2024

The Sake could have been free of charge.

Excellent vegetarian food. Unique Japanese dishes we had never had before. Very tastefully presented

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing to dislike about our stay! 1000% recommended.

I’m not sure if I can sum up the experience in a few words but here we go: if you are looking to live an authentic experience at Koyasan, Saizenin is without a doubt the best place to do so. For starters, the monks and staff were so friendly and helpful, explaining each step or indication carefully. The person at the front desk spoke amazing English and even German! The rooms are so comfortable and big for Japan size of course. Ours overlooked a small garden and the entrance. One of the things I loved the most was the location, right in front of the temple complex. The food was delicious and had us saying “wow” with each bite. Also, don’t pass on the opportunity to bathe in the classic onsen, so clean and so worth it! I would come back a million times and I would recommend it to everyone I know.

Stayed in April 2024

The booking.com booking needed more clarity around whether I had paid already or not. The email said i had, and there was some confusion upon checkout. But I can all that up to the website not the property

Dinner and breakfast were amazing! The room exceeded my expectations - the futon Japanese mattress and duvet were so comfortable. The monks were so kind and I enjoyed my stay.

Stayed in April 2024

Value for money.

Could experience traditional Japanese temple stay. Traditional Japanese meals.

Stayed in April 2024

Beautiful oasis in the mountains, with a communal hot bath and dinner/breakfast with interesting new things to try. Amazing morning service and well cared for grounds. The futons were comfortable, the tea and TV were great, and the heater was very powerful. We checked in at about 6PM and were still able to have dinner which was very kind, and we enjoyed a large beer with it also. We wish we had arrived earlier or stayed for another night to enjoy the temple grounds more.

Stayed in April 2024

Everything was beautiful and I love to take the budist ceremony with the monks. This place is beautiful and quiet just what I was looking for after long trip. The staff was very nice and kind.

Stayed in March 2024

It would be great if guests were invited to learn about temple etiquette (common courtesy and manners!) upon arrival. There was a large group of travellers from Europe who arrived at the same time as us, they were watching videos on their phones with the sound up, smoking and talking loudly. Pretty disrespectful, not to mention a complete vibe-killer for everyone else.

Beautiful temple, lovely old room looking up at the hill. The monks were attentive and friendly. The vegetarian feast served in our room was absolutely delicious. It was raining torrentially and the rooms were cold but we were warm in our comfortable futon beds. Prayer ceremony in the early morning was a calming way to start the day.

Stayed in April 2024

It was winter and a bit cold in the room and the bathroom was freezing. So we allowed the bath to fill very hot water so the bathroom was like a sauna - and then it was useable!

Though I can’t rate the place for being luxurious, pampering or grand, it’s by far one of the most Memorable places we stayed in Japan. Don’t arrive late or you’ll miss the Kaiseki level vegetarian meal, which was overwhelming. Don’t miss the morning prayer either. It’s all an authentic experience even if you’re not spoilt. There are other hotels in Japan that do that.

Stayed in March 2024

I now can't imagine going to Koyasan without a temple stay. Our room was gorgeous and had a view of a Japanese garden. The highlight was meditation, morning prayers and the beautiful breakfast and dinner.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing. Highly recommend this property.

The staff and facilities were amazing. Suite 111 which was fully self contained snd very comfortable.

Stayed in March 2024

That it rained the entire time we were there (not something the monks can control, unfortunately 🤣).

Beautiful room. Comfortable futons. Very clean. The staff were very helpful and accommodating. Great location. Food was delicious and plentiful.

Stayed in March 2024

Curfew was a little early so we didn’t want to risk taking the Okunoin Night tour

Dinner was excellent. Room was very clean and comfortable.

Stayed in March 2024

Everything was super nice, if your are planning to go when is cold pack a jacket or two, very comfortable setting. Gorgeous nature around, we arrived late and the staff were still very accomodating and nice!

Stayed in March 2024

Shared washroom—a little walk from your room. Might be inconvenient for someone who needs to pee at night. It’s really not bad, just not as convenient as when it’s in your room.

The shared shower room with a huge hot tub. Not sure if it’s hot spring water, or just hot water. It was very nice.

Stayed in March 2024

Great Temple experience and beautiful location and garden.

Stayed in March 2024

Was very cold everywhere except the room, its really necessary to have variety of warm clothes during cold periods, be prepared.

Nice, beautiful, very quiet room, tasty food, perfect location

Stayed in March 2024

It is so overcosted. I eally understand that is an unique experience, but I think the cost is not justified at all...

The experience is the best thing, definitely. If you want to live the full Japanse experience, you should definitely book a night in Koyasan. It was amazing to expend the night in a room inside the temple, with the classical clothes, food and so on. The morning pray was also a good experience to enjoy.

Stayed in March 2024

Amazing experience from the beginning to end. Especially the morning prayer with the monks

Stayed in March 2024

Just feedback. We would have loved the fire ceremony explained more as there was lengthy dialogue in Japanese about it but none in English. It started before we were invited to move closer.

Our beautiful room. Saizen is across the road from major sightseeing. All the facilities were beautiful and well explained. Wonderful staff. Fire ceremony was fabulous.

Stayed in March 2024

I really enjoyed the traditional Japanese lodging experience, and seeing the prayer service in the morning. Great cultural experience!

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing.

Beautiful temple and garden. The location is perfect.

Stayed in March 2024