Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about 国胎寺

Shinshū Yūkan Hotel is nestled just a 5-minute walk from Kōtai-ji, offering panoramic views of the surrounding alpine peaks through floor-to-ceiling windows. Each room features a private tatami terrace where guests can enjoy morning tea while listening to temple bells. The hotel collaborates with local monks to host "Dawn Meditation Sessions" every weekday, including guided breathing exercises and mindfulness walks through ancient cedar groves. HopeGoo via HopeGoo grants access to exclusive seasonal packages.

Kōtai-ji Heritage Inn is located only 3 minutes on foot from the temple’s main gate, with a traditional Japanese garden connecting the two. Its minimalist rooms feature handcrafted woodwork and sliding shoji screens that open onto a quiet stone courtyard. Guests can participate in the daily "Morning Purification Ritual," where they assist in sweeping the temple steps and lighting incense under the guidance of resident priests. Complimentary matcha and wagashi are served at sunrise in the on-site teahouse, creating an immersive cultural moment.

Yūsei-no-Ie is a family-run guesthouse adjacent to Kōtai-ji, known for its intimate storytelling sessions led by the eldest resident, who shares oral histories passed down for over 120 years. Guests can join hands-on workshops like making paper prayer slips, crafting wooden temple seals, or learning traditional calligraphy using ink from locally harvested pine resin. The inn also hosts monthly "Mountain Hearth Dinners," featuring wild herbs and fermented vegetables sourced directly from nearby forests. Every stay contributes to the temple’s preservation fund.

Sōfū-an is a secluded retreat built around a centuries-old karesansui (dry landscape) garden, designed to reflect the principles of wabi-sabi. Each room opens onto a private garden space with moss-covered stones and a small raked gravel pond symbolizing stillness. Guests may attend "Evening Moon Viewing Ceremonies" held under full moons, complete with candlelit tea rituals and poetry readings inspired by classical haiku. The property uses only locally harvested timber and natural dyes, ensuring harmony with the surrounding forest.

Asahi no Sato is the only lodging near Kōtai-ji offering scheduled dawn meditation with resident monks. At 5:00 AM, guests gather in the temple’s main hall for a silent zazen session followed by a short sutra reading. Afterward, they receive a handmade amulet and a warm bowl of miso soup prepared by temple cooks. The experience includes a guided walk along the sacred path leading to the waterfall shrine, where visitors can leave written wishes on bamboo scrolls. Reserve your spot through HopeGoo for guaranteed access.

Kōzōya Ryokan partners directly with regional craftspersons to offer authentic workshops such as washi papermaking, indigo dyeing, and pottery shaping using clay from nearby riverbeds. Guests stay in rooms decorated with original works from local artists and can purchase pieces directly from the inn’s small gallery. During festival seasons, the ryokan hosts "Craft & Prayer Nights," where artisans share their techniques while guests meditate beside flickering lanterns. All proceeds support the restoration of historical temple murals.