Opinions on Osaka? And other burning questions...
#22
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 886
I stayed one night in Osaka which seemed to be enough at the time. Am planning my return trip to Japan for October/ November this year and will return to Osaka for the Aquarium.
Since you are planning your trip in July keep in mind the heat and humidity, which can be very draining. I was in Tokyo beginning of October and it was hot.
My trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...s-to-japan.cfm
It seems that Gion Matsuri goes on for the month of July. If you can hit one of the nights that should be spectacular. I really enjoyed my one day and evening of Matsuri in Takayama
Since you are planning your trip in July keep in mind the heat and humidity, which can be very draining. I was in Tokyo beginning of October and it was hot.
My trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...s-to-japan.cfm
It seems that Gion Matsuri goes on for the month of July. If you can hit one of the nights that should be spectacular. I really enjoyed my one day and evening of Matsuri in Takayama
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,107
As far as a Koyasan solo visitor, there are several listings on booking.com. Also probably, haven't looked recently, some of the temples have websites in English - there is a listing here:
http://eng.shukubo.net/temple-lodging.html
When I went several years ago I was able to make a reservation directly on the temple's website where I stayed.
As a solo traveler I gave up trying japaneseguesthouses a number of years ago after they told me there is no place in Yufuin the takes a single guest...duh... ;-)
http://eng.shukubo.net/temple-lodging.html
When I went several years ago I was able to make a reservation directly on the temple's website where I stayed.
As a solo traveler I gave up trying japaneseguesthouses a number of years ago after they told me there is no place in Yufuin the takes a single guest...duh... ;-)
#24
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,380
As MinnBeef noted, I stayed at Shojoshin-in, with which I was very pleased, and I booked through Japanese Guesthouses:
https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/...n=Shojoshin-in
From what I can tell, one's selection of a temple makes a great difference to experience. While I certainly appreciate Mara's response, I'm not sure there's another way to book Shojoshin-in. The other temple on Koya-san for which I hear a lot of positive reviews is Eko-in; I have no idea whether it takes single guests or what other temples would be worth considering.
Hope that helps!
https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/...n=Shojoshin-in
From what I can tell, one's selection of a temple makes a great difference to experience. While I certainly appreciate Mara's response, I'm not sure there's another way to book Shojoshin-in. The other temple on Koya-san for which I hear a lot of positive reviews is Eko-in; I have no idea whether it takes single guests or what other temples would be worth considering.
Hope that helps!
Could you link it in?
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,107
I found it here:
http://eng.shukubo.net/temple-lodging.html#syukubo-s
on the website I listed in my earlier post....
http://eng.shukubo.net/temple-lodging.html#syukubo-s
on the website I listed in my earlier post....
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,663
Thanks. I found that earlier, Mara. I do have a few options so far, and I have a cheaper one- Jokiin- booked just in case that I can cancel if I decide to splurge. The ones I'm interested in would definitely be a splurge given the low availability.
Thanks, Nywoman! I did see your report before and thoroughly enjoyed reading it
I think I'm going to be able to visit during one of the parades and I'm really excited about that.
Finished a long term project and now hopefully I can focus a bit more on my planning. Not long to go at all!! Appreciate your input as always, folks!
Thanks, Nywoman! I did see your report before and thoroughly enjoyed reading it
I think I'm going to be able to visit during one of the parades and I'm really excited about that.Finished a long term project and now hopefully I can focus a bit more on my planning. Not long to go at all!! Appreciate your input as always, folks!
#30
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,380
FWIW, I thought Koya-san worthy of a splurge -- and for me, it was most definitely a serious splurge! YMMV.
If you do go to Koya-san, consider making time for some of it's incredible highlights -- and not just Okuno-in (but do make time for Okuno-in at dusk or dawn, if not both).
Congratulations on finishing your project.
If you do go to Koya-san, consider making time for some of it's incredible highlights -- and not just Okuno-in (but do make time for Okuno-in at dusk or dawn, if not both).
Congratulations on finishing your project.
#31
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 807
While I was not as enamored over Koyasan as was kja and most others before me, it somewhat had to do with a painful injury I sustained early in my spring trip. The monks at Shojosho-in were very kind, the morning prayer service was rather interesting and one other big advantage is that it sits right next to one end of the Okuno-in cemetery.
#32
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,380
Oh, that reminds me! I think MinnBeef reported that his room at Shojoshin-in did not have a lock. I honestly don't remember whether my room did or did not, and my notes are silent about it, but I do have a vague recollection of reminding myself that I had nothing of value with me, just an overnight bag. I never felt unsafe anywhere in Japan, and don't think I would have balked at a night in a monastery with what was, at the time, a long history of essentially unanimous positive reviews. BUT if having a lock matters to you, you should by all means to a bit of investigation. Rooms at Shojoshin-in are in a variety of configurations, and so could differ from one another; mine was one of the ones without a private bath.
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