Koyasan, Japan - Eko-In temple

[jhm]

However, what was better (vegetarian food, view and general ambience) and cheaper was the temple we stayed in in Koyasan - JPY 24,000 for two including dinner and breakfast. Getting there was an adventure in itself involving a train and then a cable car up the mountain. I'll post some pictures in a separate thread. Unlike Miyajima (a bit overrated IMHO), Koyasan is definitely one of those places I'd like to go back again and spend 1 or 2 nights. From Wikipedia:

Mount Kōya (高野山, Kōya-san) is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka. First settled in 819 by the monk Kūkai, Mt. Koya is primarily known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located in an 800m-high valley amid the eight peaks of the mountain, the original monastery has grown into the town of Koya, featuring a university dedicated to religious studies and over 100 temples, many of which offer lodging to pilgrims.

Photos by phaleesy as usual.









Our room



View from the window of the room

[jhm]

Dinner

Dinner

[jhm]

Breakfast

Breakfast

[jhm]

Cable car

The cable car back down the mountain (after which you take a train winding down the rest of the mountain and finally reaching Osaka)

[jjpb3]

Please thank phaleesy for us for the pics, jhm.

Sigh. 2008 Japan SQTalk Do?

[SQFAN]

Thanks to you both. Visually pleasing, I must say.

[flo]

looks like a great trip. i'll probably visit japan in summer or perhaps next year ... i'm looking forward to staying in the same place. like some traditional, yet culturally challenging trip atmosphere.

thanks for sharing!
best...

[HUGE AL]

Sigh. 2008 Japan SQTalk Do?

HUGE AL is down!

jhm, how do I book this place?

[jhm]

jhm, how do I book this place?

We made the booking through a website - www.japanhotel.net - and paid the temple on checkout (they take credit cards).

[CGK]

Japan DO with A380 Suites to fly in and out?
Sounds very interesting.

[jhm]

Japan DO with A380 Suites to fly in and out?
Sounds very interesting.

I'm be interested in this!

I can see this thread being split soon...

[HUGE AL]

I can see this thread being split soon...

Ahhh man, that's usually my doing...

[phaleesy]

Sigh. 2008 Japan SQTalk Do?

Yes, please!

Now, who is organising it?

[SQFAN]

Sigh. 2008 Japan SQTalk Do?

SQFAN is in

[jhm]

Published today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/also_in_the_news/7103255.stm

Tokyo 'top city for good eating'

The home of haute cuisine just got taken down a peg with an authoritative judgement that Paris is not the world's top city for good eating.

That distinction now goes to Tokyo, according to the bible for foodies everywhere, the Michelin guide.

[...]

"Tokyo is becoming the global city with the finest cuisine, the city in the world with the most stars," said Michelin guide director Jean-Luc Naret.