Good to hear that your trip was a success!

Where did you end up staying in Koya San?

We stayed at Koyasan Onsen Fukuchi-in

Thanks for letting us know. Although its been years since I visited Koyasan, I thought the accommodations at Shojoshin-in quite wonderful.

Great to hear you enjoyed Japan!

Thanks for reporting back and so glad you had a good time.

You know that is one of the reasons keeping us away from visiting Koyasan. I would enjoy about everything to do with and in the place but the accommodations. We have been in so many wonderful ryokan situations that a bad one can turn you off to the whole thing....not saying yours was a bad situation but I know the way we like to travel and a spartan ryokan is not what we would enjoy. Any plans for a return trip?

Aloha!

It was more the feeling level. Didnt feel as as friendly as the rest of japan. More get them in get them out.

Any suggestion how to overcome jet lag?

Thanks for intruducing us this place! very thrilling!

Hi Yarri
Which temple did you stay in for your Koyasan overnight?

He said they stayed in Fukuchi-in a few posts up.

I'm so sorry, I read the thread twice and still missed that! DOH!

Feedback now we're back. We stayed in Shojoshin-in too, but we booked the private hanare residence. We booked via Japanese Guest Houses, and had our request in place ahead of when the temple bookings for October opened, so we knew we had good chance of securing the hanare.

Basically, it's a large detached traditional building in it's own garden area, but only a few paces from the main temple building where meals are served and prayers held.

Inside you have a corridor all around the central core, the core is divided into four spacious rooms separated (or connected) via sliding doors. Traditional ryokan style. Each of the four rooms is plenty large enough for a bedroom for 2, or even 3.

There are actually three toilets, one of which is Western style, these are along one side of the building (inside, of course). There are also a couple of sink areas. And one, small but lovely private bathroom with shower and deep wooden bath tub.

When I asked the prices, I remember being surprised that it was not much more than a double room within the main temple, given that it was private and had a private bathroom, this was quite a surprise.

So if comfort/ facilities are the issue, I'd consider booking here.

Oh, our dinner was excellent as was breakfast. We had only very brief interaction with the monks, when one served dinner. And we observed the morning chanting / prayers, but this temple doesn't give much opportunity to interact more, whereas I think other temples might.

Other advantage of Shojoshin-in is that it's right next to the Okuno-in graveyard, the key sight of Koyasan.