#Tourism
#Convention
Exclusive Temple Stay at Saishoin Temple in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture
Have the grounds of a historic temple all to yourself with a private stay in quarters designed to accommodate high-ranking priests. The accommodations offer unrivaled views of Saishoin Temple’s Five-Storied Pagoda, and a wide-variety of cultural activities are included in your stay.
Unrivaled views of a historic landmark from the comfort of your room
Relax in your own private annex in Saishoin Temple.
The Shinden annex was originally built for high priests visiting from Chishakuin Temple in Kyoto, the head temple of the Chisan sect. It is a small but luxurious room with an unobstructed view of Saishoin Temple’s Five-Storied Pagoda.
Artwork Abound
The Shinden annex is a traditional Japanese-style space with tatami floors, sliding doors, and futons in lieu of Western-style beds. The central living space features low tables adorned in Tsugaru lacquerware and a tokonoma alcove decorated with Buddhist statuary and artwork. The distinctive yukimi sliding doors that wrap around the living room and bedroom make the most of Hirosaki’s snowy climate: the lower half is glass so that guests may enjoy the snow-covered garden from the warmth of indoors.
The entrance to the annex is completely private, and a painting of the moon deity Gatten in vivid color greets guests as they enter the inner living space. This artwork is from the Twelve Heavenly Deities hanging scroll stored here at Saishoin Temple. The scroll is a masterpiece by Masanobu Utanosuke, who was an artist to the shogunate and imperial court. A painting of the sun deity Nitten from the same scroll adorns the closet doors in the bedroom.
Personalized Retreat
Beyond the luxurious guest quarters await the temple grounds of Saishoin, which will be for your exclusive use from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day. Take part in a meditation session to calm your mind, or enjoy the scenery of the Five-Storied Pagoda lit up at night with your favorite beverage in hand. The temple is also a stone’s throw away from the entertainment district of Kajimachi, which makes it the perfect base for experiencing Hirosaki’s local night life.
In the morning, take part in a special morning service or sleep in a bit before digging straight into a vegetarian breakfast served in your room. After partaking in breakfast, step inside the Five-Storied Pagoda in a private tour of temple buildings that are normally closed to the public. If you are a fan of sake, take part in a private tour of Miura Shuzo Co., Ltd., with chartered transportation to and from the brewery. With most activities included in the price of the room, the choice is yours!*
*The Sake Brewery Tour requires an additional fee.
Details
A 2-day, 1-night temple stay with breakfast included.
- ・Reservations can be made for up to 4 people.
- ・Exclusive use of temple grounds from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- ・The Five-Storied Pagoda will be lit up from sunset until 10 p.m.
- ・Private entrance and bathroom.
- ・Free Wi-Fi available.
Before booking, please note the following:
- ・Pets are not allowed on the premises.
- ・Children are welcome but must be supervised at all times.
- ・Outside food and drinks are allowed inside the temple grounds, but open flames and smoking are strictly prohibited.
- ・Guests must return to their accommodations before 10 p.m., when the temple gates are locked.
Please visit the booking site for pricing information. Unless otherwise noted, activities are included in the price listed.
Itinerary
Day 1
3:00 p.m. Check-In and Room Orientation
7:00–7:30 p.m. Moon Disc Viewing Meditation
Enjoy local nightlife with dinner and drinks in nearby Kajimachi, Hirosaki’s largest entertainment district. Only a 10-minute walk from Saishoin Temple.
Day 2
6:30–7:30 a.m. Morning Service and Goma Fire Ritual
7:00–9:00 a.m. Buddhist Vegetarian Breakfast
8:00–9:00 a.m. Private Temple Tour *Available from April to November. May be canceled in the case of severe weather.
9:30 a.m. Check-Out
9:45–10:45 a.m. Sake Brewery Tour (additional fee required)
The reservation period is renewed regularly. Please visit the booking page for the most up-to-date information. Guests may opt out of any of the above activities and/or the provided Buddhist Vegetarian breakfast, if desired. Please be sure to select your desired activities when booking your stay as we are unable to accommodate last minute changes.
The Sake Brewery Tour must be booked separately through this booking engine.
History of Saishoin Temple and the Five-Storied Pagoda
Saishoin Temple is located to the southeast of Hirosaki Castle. Since it was established in 1532, Saishoin has prayed for the prosperity of Hirosaki domain (the western half of present-day Aomori Prefecture) and the Tsugaru family who once ruled it. The name “Saishoin” is derived from the Golden Light of the Most Victorious Kings Sutra (Jp. Konkyomyo saisho-o-kyo), which describes how sovereigns can attain divine protection of the state through Buddhism.
Saishoin adheres to the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism, and the temple’s principal image is of the Cosmic Buddha Dainichi in the Diamond Realm. The statue was carved from a single piece of camphorwood by famous sculptor and Hirosaki native Takeji Kogawa.
The Five-Storied Pagoda was built in 1666 to memorialize those who died during the unification of the Tsugaru region by Tsugaru Tamenobu, the first daimyo of Hirosaki domain. The approximately 31-meter-tall structure enshrines an image of the Cosmic Buddha Dainichi in the Womb Realm.
The Five-Storied Pagoda is one of only 22 remaining five-storied pagodas that were built in the Edo period, and it is the northernmost pagoda in Japan. The entire structure shows meticulous attention to detail, with subtle variation in the designs of the pagoda’s supporting blocks, windows, and ornamentation. It is the only pagoda in Japan to have a central pillar made of a single piece of timber, and it is well-known for its beautiful proportions.
Reservation
Optional Activities
Moon Disc Viewing Meditation
Refresh body and mind with a nighttime meditation session in the Main Hall, which is ordinarily closed to the public. Participants will receive individual instruction on the breathing, posture, and state of consciousness needed to take part in gachirinkan (“moon disc viewing”) meditation. This Esoteric form of Shingon Buddhist meditation involves sitting down before an image of a moon disc and focusing on it to calm your mind. Moon discs are perfectly round circles that represent the full moon and Saishoin’s principal deity, the Cosmic Buddha Dainichi. The session lasts approximately 30 minutes. For more information, please visit Saishoin’s official YouTube channel to view a short video on Gachirinkan meditation (includes English subtitles).
Morning Service and Goma Fire Ritual
Experience the daily routine of the monks of Saishoin Temple by taking part in a private morning service and goma fire ritual. This ancient Indian fire ritual was introduced to Japan over 1,200 years ago by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism. Typically, the priest conducting the ritual will gather votive tablets from participants and cast them into a blazing fire while reciting mantras, carrying the prayers to the temple’s principal deity. In this experience, participants will have the opportunity to personally cast their votive tablet into the fire and directly deliver their prayers to the Cosmic Buddha Dainichi.
Buddhist Vegetarian Breakfast
A Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) breakfast is available for temple stay guests who request it upon reservation. Buddhist priests are prohibited from taking the lives of living things, and Buddhist laypeople tend to avoid eating meat and other animal products. Shojin ryori dishes therefore tend to be free not only of meat and poultry, but also fish, eggs, and pungent vegetables (such as onion and garlic) believed to stimulate undesired emotions.
Private Temple Tour
Temple stay guests may take part in a private tour of Saishoin Temple’s Five-Storied Pagoda, Rokkakudo Hall, and Gochi Nyoraido Hall. These structures are usually closed to the public* and contain various works of Buddhist statuary and art.
To protect these structures from exposure to the elements, this tour is not offered in the winter months (December–March) and may be canceled in the case of severe weather.
The Five-Storied Pagoda is an Important Cultural Property and is considered one of the most beautiful pagodas in Japan. It is one of only 22 remaining five-storied pagodas that were built in the Edo period (1603–1867), and its central pillar is a single piece of timber with no joints. Starting in 2026, guests will be able to climb up the pagoda for exclusive views of the temple grounds from above.
*The Five-Storied Pagoda is opened to the public once every 30 years.
Rokkakudo Hall was first erected in 1864 and underwent extensive restoration work in 2006, which included the installation of new murals by Hirosaki native Watanabe Saiho. The principal image of Nyoirin Kannon was created by Saiho’s husband, Watanabe Seizan, an award-winning Buddhist sculptor based out of Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Each one of Nyoirin Kannon’s arms represent a vow to save all beings in the six realms of karmic rebirth.
*Rokkakudo Hall is open to the public one day a year.
Gochi Nyoraido Hall enshrines rare examples of standing statues of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, a pentad with the Cosmic Buddha Dainichi at its center. The expressions of the statues are rich in regional character and exhibit a style distinct from that popularized by Buddhist sculptors in Kyoto.
*Gochi Nyoraido Hall is open to the public one day a year.
Sake Brewery Tour
Enjoy a private guided tour of Miura Shuzo Co., Ltd., a family-run sake brewery founded in 1930. Miura Shuzo is best known for its Hohai line of sake, which takes its name from a lyric in a regional folk song. The sake is light and elegantly balanced, blending sweet fruity aroma with a smooth tartness on the tongue. It is particularly suited to pairing with aged cheese, traditional Japanese pickles and preserved fish, and charcuterie. This premium sake is currently only sold in Japan, primarily in Aomori Prefecture.
The private tour includes a tasting experience, a complimentary bottle of sake, and a chartered taxi to and from the brewery.
*Available on weekdays from October to June, excluding public holidays.
*An additional fee is required to participate.
Access
Take a Dotemachi Loop Bus, Get off at Honcho Bus Stop
About 5~6 min walk from that bus stop
Link
To everyone staying in Hirosaki City Accommodetion tax information
Accommodetion tax to start on December 1, 2025.
The accommodation tax revenue will be used to enhance the appeal of Hirosaki City's natural,historical, cultural, and traditional resources, promote visits and exchanges between people in Japan and abroad, as well as sustainable tourism that is in harmony with the lives of the citizens.
■per person : 200 yen
For details, please visit the Hirosaki City website.
Accommodation Tax (External Link)