Minobu - Retreat at the Nichiren buddhist temple town with scenic Mt. Fuji and Japanese Alps views

Whether you are coming from Tokyo or Kyoto, Minobu is conveniently located just half-way between these two popular destination. Reach Shizuoka station by shinkansen, then transfer to a rapid local train that offers stunning views of Mount Fuji right from your window. Upon arrival at Minobu Station, the accommodation staff will take care of your luggage and guide you directly to your lodging. Your exploration of Minobu will kick-off with an exclusive guided tour of the Kuonji Temple grounds, where you can explore splendid interiors decorated with magnificent dragon paintings and elements celebrating the four seasons of Japanese culture. For the physically fit and those committed to the spiritual journey, climbing the Bodaitei Stairway—a formidable, steep stone staircase with 287 steps—is a profound act of devotion, often referred to as the "Stairway to Enlightenment." In the late afternoon, unwind at your accommodation and attend an authentic calligraphy workshop. Choose the kanji of your favorite word or name and express your sensibilities with ink and brush while your mind will naturally calm as you concentrate on the act of expressing your inner-self on paper. For evening, conclude your first day at Minobu by savoring an excellent Shojin Ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) course. Dinner includes local specialties such as premium Akebono soybeans and award-winning Yuba Tofu.

On this second day at Minobu, celebrate the first meal of your day with fresh locally sourced ingredients and wear on your white robe and sedge hat to fully embrace the spirit of centuries ago. Once you are ready, start the climb from the mausoleum, pass Myosekibo and head towards the Niomon Gate of Okunoin Shishinkaku with a local guide. At the top, enjoy breathtaking views of Mt.Fuji and The Japanese Alps (weather permitting) and taste Minobu's local Kushikiri Dango, a traditional food welcoming good luck or fortune. Make your way back among shidare-zakura weeping cherry trees (in full bloom during end of March - Early April) and relax yourself making a rosary with stones (juzu-zukuri) or mending a broken object with gold (kintsugi) reconsidering the value of flaws and imperfection. Alternatively, continue your path to Akazawa-juku, a beautifully preserved centuries-old post town (or pilgrim's inn village) nestled deep in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture. Designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, its steep, sloping stone pathways and cluster of traditional wooden inns provide visitors with a rare, authentic glimpse into a village landscape seemingly frozen in Japan's Edo and Meiji periods.

Serenity seekers, let the air of Mt Minobu wash away your worries in this second day. Rise before dawn to attend morning prayers at Kuon-ji. You may dream lost in a starry sky, witness a priest bend from toes to head to free the pure sound of a giant bell, follow a parade of priests, sit shoeless on a chair or tatami mat under a dragon painting, and burn incense powder with Japanese worshipers during the ceremony. At the end of the morning services, head to your accommodation and enjoy your last meal before proceeding to Nagano Alps and other magnificent destinations in Japan.