Shukubo Kyoto boasts a thousand-year-old Chishakuin temple

The so-called Shukubo is to live in the temple, allowing you to experience the tranquility in the holy land. Historically, long-distance monks would rest or stay in places known as Shukubo. Seeing more and more people needing accommodation after long-distance travel, Shukubo began to open its doors to ordinary worshippers and tourists. Now, Japanese Shukubo has become a very mainstream way of travel, and many tourists like to live in different temples to experience various styles of Shukubo. The courtyard of Chishakuin is one of the famous courtyards in Kyoto. It is said to be built in imitation of China's Lushan. The beauty of the four seasons is pleasing to the eye. Chishakuin was built in 1601 and is the head temple of the Shingon sect Chizan school. There are 3,000 branch temples, originating from the Kishu Negoroji Temple founded during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Every temple's Shukubo will have its unique activities. Some will have Zen meditation, sitting quietly, only listening to the sound of birds and the friction of leaves, eliminating daily distractions. Many monks in the temple will teach how to meditate, which is easy to get started. There are also morning classes, chanting in the main hall and in front of the Buddha statue, starting a beautiful new day. The morning class at Chishakuin is about 5:40 gathering in the hall, and the monks will lead everyone to the main hall for chanting, which lasts about an hour. After the chanting, everyone will be given a "Omamori" of Chishakuin. The food in the temple is actually quite reliable, and there is no requirement for everyone to be vegetarian. The dinner at Chishakuin is basically a Kyoto-style meal.