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- English
This is a rare opportunity to spend a night in a temple that is not set up for tourists. The temple is still operating as it did 700 years ago performing multiple daily ceremonies. Unlike typical tourist temples, you will have an opportunity to see everything on the inside and get to see how full time monks live in Japan.
This is a temple only reachable by climbing the mountain, and there are many Japanese Buddhist practioners who climb this as a pilgrimage route, so this is a genuine experience.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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1
Start our hike from a small temple at the base where we learn a bit about the history of Nichiren Buddhism and Shichimenzan as a pilgrimage site. This has been a training ground for Nichiren Buddhist Monks since the late 1,200's.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Great waterfall at the base of the mountain that is used in winter for ascetic training and purification by the monks of Shichimenzan. There is also a statue of Oman-no-kata, the first woman to climb Shichimenzan in the 1,600's. We will hear her story before starting our climb.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Keishinin is the temple that was built in the late 1,200's to the goddess of Shichimenzan, or the Shichimenzan Daimyojin. She is said to protect the teachings of the Lotus Sutra as well as its followers by changing into a powerful dragon. This temple also features one of the best views of Mt. Fuji and features a diamond Fuji sunrise on the fall and spring equinox. This is when the sun rises directly behind the summit of Mt. Fuji and the light passes over Fuji, through the temple gate, and into the main hall. This is the temple that we will spend the night in. The late afternoon will start with tea and then a chance to get a hot bath (communal gender separated). Then a simple Buddhist Vegetarian meal will be served before there are two services in the temple in the evening that everyone is able to join in on.
14 hours • Admission ticket included -
4
Before breakfast we will head up to the gate of the temple to watch the sunrise with Mt. Fuji in the background. This is one of the best sunrise view points of a snow covered Mt. Fuji.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
After breakfast we will head up to the summit of Shichimenzan. There are some great Fuji view points along the way. Total time up is 45 minutes and about 30 minutes back down.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
After descending the mountain it is a short drive to Minobusan, the main temple for Nichiren Buddhism. There will be some time to climb the 287 stairs which signifies the passage through life's challenges. There are multiple halls that can be visited as well as a shop to purchase various Buddhist items and a café on site.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Hike up 800+ year old Pilgrimage route to Buddhist temple deep in the mountains
Visit summit of mountain and then descend and head to Minobu-san temple
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If small children join, they may need to be carried on the hike so appropriate hiking carrier is needed.
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Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If small children join, they may need to be carried on the hike so appropriate hiking carrier is needed.
- Waterproof hiking boots are required from December through April when there is the possibility of snow on the trail.
- Basic physical fitness is required, total elevation gain over two days is 900 meters with a total distance of 8km walked.
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 3 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 3 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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