Shigisan Senjuin: Temple Lodging, Meditation and Waterfall Practice
Stay at a historic Shigisan temple, look into its old garden and arrange meditation, sutra copying or a waterfall-practice course directly with the temple.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Shigisan Senjuin: Temple Lodging, Meditation and Waterfall Practice
Senjuin is an active temple and lodging within the mountain precinct of Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji, a centre of Bishamonten worship. Its rooms and practice spaces serve pilgrims and overnight guests, while the temple also welcomes day visitors to its grounds and selected activities. The old main building, garden and views toward the principal hall offer a quieter way to experience the mountain than a short stop at its best-known tiger landmarks. Overnight plans, meals and Buddhist practice all require different arrangements, so treat this as a religious lodging with bookable experiences rather than a conventional hotel with walk-in activities.
Stay in a working temple on the mountain
Senjuin describes itself as Shigisan's oldest shukubo, or temple lodging. The property has 13 rooms across a main building and a newer building, with room sizes from six to twelve tatami mats. The older building preserves Edo-period features including painted sliding doors and glass overlooking an inner garden; the temple says the garden is the only pond garden on the mountain and attributes its design to the early Edo garden designer Kobori Enshu. The setting is part of a functioning temple precinct, so guests should expect a devotional atmosphere and follow staff guidance around halls and services.
Choose a stay and meal plan with the temple
The temple's current lodging page lists one night with two meals. For Japan residents, the posted rate is ¥15,400 for one guest or ¥13,200 per person for two or more. For overseas residents, the listed rate is ¥35,000 for one, ¥30,000 for two, ¥29,000 for three or ¥28,000 per person for four or more. These rates are shown as tax-inclusive and dated June 15, 2025; confirm the current quote, room availability and any date-specific supplement before booking. Kaiseki and an iron-bowl shojin meal are described, with the shojin meal available for groups of ten or more. The operator says vegetarian meals still use bonito stock and that vegan and gluten-free requests cannot be accommodated.
Book a beginner practice or a longer training course
The temple lists separate reservation-based zazen, sutra-copying and image-tracing sessions at ¥5,000 per person, each about 60 minutes; the monthly Sesshinkai gathering is ¥3,000, fourth Saturday at 10:00 or 14:00, about 60 minutes, and does not require a booking. It also offers combined beginner courses: zazen plus short sutra copying takes about 90 minutes, while adding waterfall practice takes about 150 minutes and requires at least two participants. The combined course fee depends on course and group size, so call to arrange it. The temple asks participants in the waterfall course to bring movable clothing, sandals, towels and swimwear or similar layers; skirts are not suitable, and a white robe may be purchased but is not loaned. Conditions apply, so confirm eligibility, weather arrangements, clothing and cost before travelling. The separate monthly Sesshinkai has posted 10:00 and 14:00 sessions and does not require a booking, but events can prevent acceptance; confirm before travelling.
See the garden and small temple precinct
The prefectural visitor listing says general worship is free from 08:30 to 17:00, while individual buildings or activities may charge. It describes the Senjuin precinct as the mountain's oldest subtemple and notes the Zenigame-do hall dedicated to a money-luck deity, where amulets are offered. The temple's lodging page highlights the old main house and garden; these are not necessarily open as unrestricted sightseeing rooms when lodging or services are underway. Ask before entering guest or practice areas, and use posted guidance to distinguish public worship space from residents' rooms.
Plan the mountain approach and confirm logistics
Senjuin gives the address as 2280 Shigisan, Heguri, Ikoma District, postal code 636-0923. Its access page directs rail travellers to take a bus from JR or Kintetsu Oji Station; the specific bus stop, departure times and last return should be checked against the current timetable before setting out. The operator estimates about 20 minutes by car from the Ikomayama interchange on the Daini Hanna road. Phone reservations and inquiries are accepted at 0745-72-4481, 08:30–17:00. The temple's pages do not promise English-language support, so request language assistance when booking if needed.
What to look for
13 temple-lodging rooms in a historic and newer building
Meditation, sutra copying and an optional waterfall-practice course by advance arrangement
A secluded garden and religious setting within Shigisan's temple precinct
Photo notes
No blanket permission for commercial photography or filming was found. Ask before photographing worshippers, services, guest rooms, the garden or any practice session. Do not film waterfall practice or other participants without explicit consent, and observe signs inside active religious spaces.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Events connected with Shigisan Senjuin: Temple Lodging, Meditation and Waterfall Practice
These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.
Shigisan Tora Matsuri
Chōgosonshi-ji lists Tora Matsuri among its annual major events. Nara Prefecture's 2026 official visitor guide describes the two-day programme as one of Kansai's largest tiger festivals, with a tiger procession and food festival. The exact weekend and programme change by year; the temple says precinct parking is limited during the festival and recommends public transport. Check the current notice for visitor access, any special participation rules, transport and crowd guidance.
Check organizer informationMake a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 20 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Shigisan Senjuin — lodging, meals, current rates, facilities and booking contact
- Shigisan Senjuin — beginner practice, required clothing and reservation conditions
- Shigisan Senjuin — current transport and driving access
- Nara Prefecture Tourism — worship hours, admission and published practice details
- Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji — temple precinct and Senjuin context
- Official Nara Travel Guide — directory identity H00809