Spirituality and Culture at Jionji Temple
Spirituality and culture at an ancient temple in the mountains
A one-night, two-day tour program to enrich your mind and improve your physical health
Gain intangible and unseen spiritual richness while strengthening your physical health as you experience the spiritual culture of Jionji Temple with body and mind on this two-day, one-night tour. A nationally designated historic site and the foremost prayer temple in Tohoku with a history spanning 1,300 years, Jionji was formerly a grand complex including 3 principal and 48 subtemples on Mt. Hayama, which was itself once counted as one of the 3 holy mountains of Dewa.
This spiritual tour program includes interaction with the head priest of Jionji, a viewing of the prayer dance and Jionji Bugaku (a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property), and trekking in Mt. Hayama which was once a Shugendo (mountain asceticism) training ground. The meals served during the program are modern health foods based on the traditions of shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine) that have been handed down at Jionji since ancient times. When you finish this exclusive program at Mt. Hayama’s Jionji Temple, standing in the midst of majestic nature, you will feel spiritual richness and health that one is unable to obtain in other places.
Tour at a glance
Inclusions:
- Lodging and accommodation fees (1 night)
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Lunch on Day 1
- Dinner on Day 1
- Sutra copying experience
- Bugaku experience
- Yamabushi guide
- Other program fees
Exclusions:
- English-speaking interpreter/guide
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Food and drink in addition to the prix fixe meals included as part of the package
- Optional extensions or customizations to trip
- Other items not explicitly listed as included
- Transportation to and from the starting location
We can also provide the following options for an additional fee:
- Interpretation in English and other languages (please inquire)
- Transportation to the Yamagata area
- Add-ons to the tour
Minimum number of participants
2 participants
Maximum number of participants
5 participants
Cost
From ¥88,000 (per person, with a minimum of 2 participants)
Tour Length
2 days, 1 night
Tour availability
May 6 2024 to November 30 2024
Tour Start/End Location
Yamagata Station
Important notes
Dietary Restrictions:
Day 1: Spiritual and cultural activities at Jionji Temple
Day 1 Tour Highlights
- Meet at Yamagata Station and travel to Fukuyoshi Ryokan by minibus.
- Check in at the ryokan and receive an explanation of the facilities, then change into training clothes and learn about shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) while you enjoy a carefully-crafted lunch.
- Travel from Fukuyoshi to Jionji Temple by minibus and join the head priest at the main gate to receive an explanation of Jionji Temple, focusing on its unique features as a temple of prayer.
- Take a tour and stroll around the Jionji Temple grounds (with your guide), ending with a Jogyozanmai (ascetic training experience) at Amida-do Hall.
- Finish off your day at Jionji with a Bugaku experience at the Temple Office, including the chance to wear armor and be instructed on parts of the dance.
- Travel from Jionji Temple to Fukuyoshi, change back into your regular clothes, and take a break to relax and refresh before your evening of bar hopping at local establishments.
- After you’re satisfied with delicious local food and drink, return to Fukuyoshi, take a bath, and rest for the night.
Day 2: Shugen trekking tour with yamabushi mountain ascetic
Day 2 Tour Highlights
- Get up and ready for the day. Meet in the dining venue for a breakfast of shojin ryori cuisine, dressed in your training clothes and ready to head out immediately after breakfast for an early morning on the mountains.
- Travel from Fukuyoshi to Jionji Temple by minibus, and try your hand at a sutra-copying experience at Kezoin Temple.
- After you have finished and are in the right mind, gather with your guide and group for a prayer to start your training and learn more about today’s Shugendo experience from your yamabushi (mountain ascetic) guide.
- Travel from Jionji Temple to the trailhead by minibus.
- Spend the rest of the morning deep in the mountains, trekking on the Shugendo path with a yamabushi mountain ascetic to guide you and teach your more about the spirituality and history of Shugendo and the Sagae area.
Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation policy for this tour is below. Cancellation fees may vary according to exceptional circumstances.
4 business days or more before date of tour
No penalty
3 business days before date of tour
20% of total price
2 business days before date of tour
30% of total price
1 business day before date of tour
50% of total price
Day of the tour
100% of total price
