Japan · Retreat

What Is a Shukubo (Temple Stay)?

October 2, 2026

A shukubo is lodging offered by a temple for worshippers and travelers. Often you can join the morning service and eat shojin ryori.

Some areas, such as Koyasan, are known for shukubo. Booking methods, check-in times and etiquette differ by temple, so check official information.

Thatched-roof shukubo building seen beyond a stone torii gate
The exterior of Daishinbo, a shukubo on Mount Haguro in Yamagata Prefecture. Photo: Crown of Lenten rose(Commonsの記載による) / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Cover image: A Japanese-style room in a Zenkoji shukubo, with tatami mats, futons and a view of the temple garden, taken with a fisheye lens. Photo: Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons