Fukuchiin is a temple lodging (shukubo) on Mount Koya in Wakayama, opened more than 800 years ago by the priest Kakuin. Guests sleep in Japanese rooms, eat shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) and can join the morning service, and the temple has what it calls the only natural hot spring on Mount Koya. Before you book, three things matter: tattoos are not allowed in the baths; the gate closes at 21:00 and the last check-in is 19:00; and individual bookings cost 100 percent from 4 days before.
The hot spring baths at Fukuchiin
The temple says all of its baths use natural hot spring water, and that it is the only natural hot spring on Mount Koya. The water is recirculated, with no water added. There are two large baths, Togen and Tennyo, each with an indoor bath and an open-air bath, plus a carbonated spring bath.
| Bath | What it has | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Togen | Open-air bath of Koya umbrella pine (3 tubs), indoor bath, sauna | Bath 15:00–9:00; open-air and sauna 15:00–20:00 |
| Tennyo | Open-air rock bath, indoor bath of Koya umbrella pine, sauna | Bath 15:00–9:00; open-air and sauna 15:00–20:00 |
| Carbonated spring bath | For men and for women | 15:00–23:00; closed December to March |
| Family bath | Private, for guests who need help bathing or are recovering from surgery | 15:00–18:00, paid, booking required |
From the official bath page, read October 20, 2026.
Is there a private bath for couples or families?
Not as a general option. The family bath is a private bath for guests who need help bathing or who are recovering from surgery; it is paid, must be booked ahead and is open from 15:00 to 18:00. Some rooms have their own bath with hot spring water and a toilet.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
No. The official site states that tattoos are not allowed in the baths. Our tattoo and onsen guide lists other options in Japan.
Can I come only for the bath?
No. The temple says its baths are not open for day bathing. Children may use the large baths with a parent or guardian. The carbonated spring bath page also says it is currently closed, so ask the temple if that bath matters to you.
Fukuchiin at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 657 Koyasan, Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama |
| Phone | +81-736-56-2021 (9:00–20:00; 9:00–17:00 in winter) |
| Rooms | 60 Japanese rooms, Wi-Fi in all rooms, all non-smoking |
| Check-in / out | 15:00 (last 19:00) / 9:00 |
| Gate | Closes 21:00, opens 6:30 |
| Morning service | 6:00, open to all |
| Baths | Natural hot spring; no tattoos; no day bathing |
| Accessibility | Not barrier-free |
| Parking | 25 cars, 7 large vehicles |
From the official site, read October 20, 2026.
What are the rooms like?
The temple has 60 rooms for up to 250 guests, in three types. The basic Japanese room has no toilet and no view of the gardens; the garden-side room looks onto the front or inner garden; and another type has a Western-style toilet. Some rooms also have a bath with hot spring water. Rooms come with a towel, bath towel, yukata, toothbrush, shower cap and razor. All rooms are non-smoking, with a smoking booth in the lobby.
Is the temple accessible for wheelchair users?
The temple states that it is not barrier-free and asks wheelchair users to refrain from staying. If you have mobility needs, contact the temple first to talk it through.
Temple life and gardens at Fukuchiin
Can guests join the morning service?
Yes. The morning service starts at 6:00 every day, and anyone may join. It is held with the Rishu-kyo sutra and shomyo, the chanting passed down in Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. Please do not enter the main hall in your yukata.
What are the gardens?
Fukuchiin has three gardens by Shigemori Mirei, the garden designer of the Showa era, from the last years of his life: a rock garden, the Aizen garden and the Tosen garden. The temple lights them up after dark. It also keeps items linked to Ii Naosuke and other feudal lords, as well as art from as early as the Nara period.
What other temple experiences are there?
Sutra copying, Buddha image tracing, horai making and prayer bead making are for overnight guests only. The goma fire ritual is held on the 28th of each month, but guests cannot take part.
Shojin ryori at Fukuchiin
What is the food like?
The temple serves shojin ryori made with seasonal local vegetables, with Koyasan flavors such as koya-dofu (freeze-dried tofu) and Kinzanji wasabi. The dishes vary by plan, so check them when you book. The official pages do not say where or at what time meals are served. Day lunch bookings are suspended for now.
Can the temple handle allergies or a special diet?
The official pages do not mention allergies or dietary needs, so ask before you book, by phone or by the contact form on the official site. Bringing in outside food and drinks, or having them delivered, is not allowed without permission.
Prices, children, cancellation and payment at Fukuchiin
How much does a stay cost?
The official website does not list prices; it sends you to the booking page, where plans and rates are shown, and says prices may change without notice. The temple’s terms define the basic rate as the room plus dinner and breakfast. Koya Town’s tax page does not list a bathing tax or accommodation tax as of October 20, 2026 (Koya Town), and the temple’s pages do not say whether one is added, so ask when you book. Our onsen bathing tax guide explains how the tax works elsewhere.
What do children cost?
The official pages describe child rates and age groups in more than one way, so confirm the rate for your child with the temple when you book. Minors staying without a parent’s permission may be refused.
What is the cancellation policy?
For individual bookings, the official site lists 100 percent of the stay from 4 days before the stay through the day itself, and 100 percent for a no-show. If you booked online, make any change or cancellation online yourself. Our hotel cancellation guide covers how these fees work in Japan.
How do I pay?
The terms accept cash, credit cards and approved travel vouchers, paid at the temple. The official pages do not list which card brands work. The temple may ask for a deposit on arrival, and it does not accept promissory notes or personal checks. Foreign guests are asked for nationality and passport number at registration.
Getting to Fukuchiin in Koyasan
How do I get there by train and bus?
From Namba, the Nankai Koya Line takes about 1 hour 40 minutes by limited express or 2 hours by express to the cable car; from JR Wakayama Station it is about 2 hours. From Koyasan cable car station, take the Nankai Rinkan bus bound for Okunoin-mae, get off at Kongobuji-mae and walk about 5 minutes. Since August 26, 2024, buses no longer pass the Koya Police stop. For the wider area, see our Koyasan guide.
Can I drive, and is there a pickup?
The temple warns that Route 371 between Hashimoto and Koyasan is very narrow, and suggests Routes 370 and 480 if you are not used to it. Parking holds 25 cars and 7 large vehicles; the official pages do not give a fee or mention a pickup service.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Fukuchiin
- The official website is in Japanese only; the booking page has an English version with plans and prices.
- Arrive by 19:00, the last check-in, and be back before the gate closes at 21:00.
- The gate opens at 6:30, so plan any early-morning outings after that; the morning service inside the temple is at 6:00.
- Tattoos are not allowed in the baths, and the open-air baths close at 20:00.
- Phone lines are open 9:00 to 20:00 (to 17:00 in winter); otherwise the office is closed.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fukuchiin have a hot spring?
Can I use the baths at Fukuchiin with a tattoo?
Can I visit Fukuchiin just for the hot spring?
What time is check-in at Fukuchiin?
What is the cancellation policy at Fukuchiin?
Bottom line (2026): Fukuchiin is a temple lodging on Mount Koya with a natural hot spring, three Shigemori Mirei gardens, shojin ryori and a 6:00 morning service open to all. Note the tattoo rule, the 21:00 gate and the 4-day cancellation rule, and book on the official English booking page.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Fukuchiin’s official pages: home (Japanese), about, temple lodging and rooms, hot spring, meals, experiences, access and reservations and terms, the official English booking page and the Japanese booking page, plus Koya Town’s tax page. All were read on October 20, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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