Featured Hotels Near Choko-ji Temple

Stay at Chōshō-ji Ryokan, a heritage-style inn nestled just a 3-minute walk from the historic temple. Featuring traditional Japanese Zen design, select rooms include private tea gardens and tatami patios facing serene stone karesansui gardens. The inn offers guided cultural tours of the temple’s national treasures, including intricately carved wooden statues, and hosts daily meditation sessions at dawn—ideal for travelers seeking spiritual immersion and quiet contemplation in a centuries-old setting.

Within a 10-minute walk of Chōshō-ji Temple, explore Ōno Castle Ruins Park, where ancient stone walls and cedar-lined paths lead past a preserved watchtower and Shinto shrine. Don’t miss the Thousand-Armed Kannon statues in front of the main hall, especially illuminated during the annual "Lantern Night Festival" in spring, when soft lights dance across the weathered stone. For a deeper connection, participate in a local tea ceremony at "Seifū-an," a tranquil teahouse beside the temple grounds, where you’ll savor matcha while listening to stories of the temple’s centuries-old lineage.

Begin your day with morning meditation at Chōshō-ji Ryokan, followed by a visit to the temple’s main hall and scripture pavilion to admire National Treasure wood carvings. Have lunch at "Yama no Mi Restaurant," serving locally sourced kaiseki cuisine featuring mountain vegetables and fresh fish. In the afternoon, stroll to the Ōno City Museum of Art, showcasing contemporary works inspired by regional spirituality and nature. Return to the ryokan at dusk for a quiet tea ceremony in the garden, or join a nighttime guided tour uncovering legends behind the temple’s founding and celestial alignments—perfect for a soulful, immersive experience.