As an internationally renowned city of peace, Hiroshima offers more than just famous landmarks like the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine—it also provides unique temple stay experiences. While Hiroshima may not have as many temple lodgings as ancient capitals like Kyoto or Nara, there are still a few precious temple accommodation options in Miyajima and Higashihiroshima areas, allowing travelers to experience authentic Buddhist practice amidst the tranquil atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea.
Highlights
Unique Island Zen Experience
The standout feature of Hiroshima's temple stays is the combination of island scenery with Buddhist practice. Temple lodgings on Miyajima Island offer a particularly unique atmosphere—when night falls and tourists depart, the entire island returns to tranquility, accompanied only by the sound of waves and evening chanting. This is an experience difficult to find elsewhere.
Deep Cultural Immersion
Hiroshima's temple lodgings offer more than just accommodation—they emphasize the depth and quality of the spiritual practice experience. From traditional zazen meditation and sutra copying to rarer practices like homa fire rituals and Buddha statue painting, participants can fully experience the essence of Buddhist culture.
Special Significance of Peace Prayers
Participating in a temple stay in this city that experienced the atomic bombing adds a special dimension of peace prayer meaning to the experience. Many travelers find this experience profoundly spiritual.
Recommended Spots
Miyajima Daisho-in Temple
〒739-0588 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hatsukaichi City, Miyajima Town 210
As the oldest temple on Miyajima, Daisho-in has over 1,400 years of history and serves as the head temple of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism. The 2025 "Deep Miyajima" private experience program is limited to one group per day, offering completely customized spiritual practice. During the stay, guests can participate in morning chanting and experience the solemn atmosphere of this thousand-year-old temple at the foot of Mt. Misen. Staying during high tide is especially recommended—when Itsukushima's famous torii gate is illuminated at night, it appears particularly sacred.
Aki Kokubunji Temple Lodging
〒739-0015 Hiroshima Prefecture, Higashihiroshima City, Saijo Town
This Shingon Buddhist temple (Kongōzan Jōkō-in) recently opened its lodging facilities, offering two traditional guest rooms. Accommodation costs ￥12,000 including breakfast, with various spiritual practice options: zazen meditation (40 minutes ￥2,000), sutra copying (60-90 minutes ￥2,000), Buddha statue painting (60 minutes ￥2,000), and notably, the homa fire ritual experience (￥3,000, minimum 3 participants)—a esoteric Buddhist ceremony difficult to experience elsewhere.
Options Around Hiroshima City
While traditional temple lodgings within Hiroshima City are limited, mountain temples in the suburbs still offer day-long spiritual practice experiences. These temples typically don't offer overnight stays but can arrange half-day or full-day zen meditation sessions, suitable for travelers with tight schedules. Transportation To reach Daisho-in: Take the JR Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima City to Miyajimaguchi Station (approximately 27 minutes), then the ferry to Miyajima Pier (approximately 10 minutes), followed by a 20-minute walk or the Miyajima Maple Liner bus. To reach Aki Kokubunji: A 10-minute walk from JR Sanyo Main Line's Saijo Station, or about 5 minutes by car from the Saijo IC of the Sanyo Expressway via National Route 375. Price Range Due to increasing demand for temple stays in Japan in recent years, lodging prices in Hiroshima have also risen. Current standard temple lodging rates range from ￥10,000-40,000 per person per night (including dinner and breakfast), a significant increase from the previous ￥9,000-15,000. Please note that starting April 1, 2026, Hiroshima Prefecture will implement a accommodation tax of ￥200 per person per night for stays exceeding ￥6,000 per night. Reservation Methods All temple lodgings require advance reservation, with most accepting only phone or email reservations. Daisho-in can be contacted at misen806@daisho-in.com, and Aki Kokubunji's phone number is 082-430-7763. Reservations at least one week in advance are recommended, and even earlier during peak seasons. Business Hours Temple hours vary, but typically check-in is between 3-5 PM, with check-out after morning meditation and breakfast the next day. Most practice activities are scheduled for evening or early morning. Payment Methods
Most temples only accept cash payments, so it's advisable to prepare sufficient cash beforehand. Some newly opened lodgings have begun accepting credit cards, but confirmation in advance is recommended. Clothing Recommendations Wear comfortable clothing for participation in practice activities, avoiding overly revealing or bright-colored attire. Traditional temples like Daisho-in provide practice robes (samue), but bringing warm clothing is recommended. Experience Planning For Miyajima, plan to stay at least 4-5 hours, combining Itsukushima Shrine visits with temple lodging. The island is particularly quiet at night with few visitors, making it an ideal time for zen meditation. Cuisine Vegetarian temple cuisine is called "shōjin ryōri," made with local seasonal vegetables, featuring light flavors but rich nutrition. Please inform the temple of any special dietary requirements when making reservations. Best Time to Visit Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most ideal seasons, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. Especially during autumn's maple leaf season, Miyajima's mountain and sea views create a poetic backdrop that enhances the spiritual practice experience.Practical Information
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