Yochiin (Yochi-in) is a Buddhist temple lodging, or shukubo, on Mount Koya in Wakayama. The temple says it was founded in 1127 by Prince Kakuho, and it marks its 900th year in 2027. Before you book, three things matter: check-in closes at 17:00; dinner starts at 17:30 and is not served after 18:00; and the large bath is not an onsen, with no morning bath.
Yochiin Koyasan at a glance
| What you want to know | From the official pages |
|---|---|
| Type | Temple lodging (shukubo), about 20 rooms for about 40 guests |
| Address | 293 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama |
| Check-in / out | 15:00–17:00 / 10:00 |
| Dinner | Starts 17:30; not served after 18:00 |
| Food | Shojin ryori (no meat) |
| Bath | Large baths for men and women, not onsen, 17:00–21:00 |
| Morning service | 6:30 |
| Smoking | All rooms non-smoking |
| Payment | Booking-page plans are prepaid only |
From the official site and booking page, read October 16, 2026.
The temple’s garden is a rock garden by Shigemori Mirei, which its Japanese site says is a nationally registered monument. Yochiin also manages Joke-in next door, the family temple of the warlord Takeda Shingen on Mount Koya. The temple says trainee monks look after guests from check-in to checkout. For the rest of the mountain, see our Koyasan guide.
Temple life at Yochiin
What happens in the morning?
The morning service starts at 6:30. The English page says breakfast is ready at 7:30, after the service.
What can I try during the stay?
The temple offers sutra copying (shakyo), Buddha-image tracing (shabutsu) and ajikan meditation. The booking page sells two-meal plans that include sutra copying or image tracing; on those plans, the temple asks you to arrive by 17:00.
Can I leave my bags?
Yes. The FAQ says the temple can hold luggage before check-in and after checkout, and you can send bags ahead.
Meals at Yochiin
What is shojin ryori?
Meals are shojin ryori, Buddhist temple cuisine. The temple says it uses no meat, cooking seasonal vegetables, beans and grains. The booking page names sesame tofu with wasabi and soy sauce as a signature dish. Meals are served in the dining area, and chairs and tables are available for guests who find it hard to sit on the floor. The English page says beer and sake can be ordered.
Can I upgrade dinner?
Yes. The booking page lists an upgraded dinner for 2,000 yen more, booked in advance.
Can the temple handle allergies?
The official pages give different answers on allergies, so contact the temple before you book and describe exactly what you cannot eat.
The baths at Yochiin
Is the bath an onsen?
No. There is one large bath each for men and women, and the booking page says it is not a hot spring. The Japanese site calls it a jacuzzi bath. The English page lists body soap, shampoo, conditioner and a hair dryer.
When can I bathe?
The booking page gives 17:00 to 21:00, with no morning bath. In winter, the bath is split by time: men 16:30 to 18:30 and women 18:30 to 20:00. Depending on guest numbers, you may be given a one-person bath instead.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
The official pages do not mention tattoos, so ask the temple before you book. Our tattoo and onsen guide explains what to ask.
Rooms, prices and rules at Yochiin
Rooms are Japanese-style, from 8-mat tatami rooms to garden-side rooms and a special room of 35 square meters. The site lists TV, Wi-Fi, a toothbrush set, towels, a yukata robe and a safe. Check each room’s description for whether it has its own toilet or bath. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs.
How much does a stay cost?
| Room (Japanese booking page) | Standard, 2 meals, 2 guests |
|---|---|
| Japanese room, 8 mats | From 32,000 yen |
| Japanese room, 10 mats, garden side | From 36,000 yen |
| Two connected Japanese rooms | From 40,000 yen |
| Superior room, 8 mats + anteroom | From 44,000 yen |
| Superior room, 9.5 + 7.5 mats, garden side | From 48,000 yen |
| Special room, 35 m² | From 58,000 yen |
Lowest prices shown per room per night for two guests on October 16, 2026. Plans with sutra copying cost 2,000 yen more per room. The pages do not say whether tax is included, and list no bathing or lodging tax.
What do children cost?
The official pages differ on child rates and age bands, so check the price shown for your children on the booking page, or ask the temple.
What is the cancellation policy?
We could not read a cancellation rule on the official pages. Check the rule shown on your plan before you pay; our hotel cancellation guide covers what to look for.
How do I pay?
All six plans on the booking page are prepaid only. For other ways to pay, contact the temple.
Getting to Yochiin on Mount Koya (Koyasan)
From Namba in Osaka, the Nankai line reaches Koyasan Station in about 1 hour 25 minutes by limited express or 1 hour 50 minutes by express. From Koyasan Station, the temple is about 10 minutes by taxi. By bus, get off at Kondo-mae; the walking time from the stop differs between pages, so allow a few minutes. The Okunoin mausoleum is about 40 minutes on foot.
Drivers park at the end of the road in front of the temple; the English page says parking is free for guests. Roads freeze in winter, so carry chains, and the temple advises against Route 371 from Hashimoto, which is narrow. Wheelchairs can be borrowed inside the temple.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Yochiin
- Arrive by 17:00. Dinner is thrown away at 18:00 for food safety, with no refund.
- This is a working temple, not a hotel; monks look after guests, and the day starts with the 6:30 service.
- The bath closes at 21:00 and there is no morning bath.
- Food is meat-free shojin ryori. Ask about allergies before booking.
- The whole stay is non-smoking.
Frequently asked questions
What time is check-in at Yochiin?
Is the food at Yochiin meat-free?
Is the bath at Yochiin an onsen?
What is the cancellation policy at Yochiin?
How do I get to Yochiin?
Bottom line (2026): Yochiin is a temple lodging on Mount Koya with a Shigemori Mirei rock garden, meat-free temple meals and a 6:30 morning service. Arrive by 17:00, expect a non-onsen bath with no morning hours, ask the temple about allergies, and book on the official page.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Yochiin’s official pages: home (Japanese), about the temple, temple lodging, rooms, meals, experiences, access, FAQ and the English page, and the official booking page (Japanese) and official booking page (English). All were read on October 16, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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