「Think, Feel, and Stay at a Real Buddhist Temple」
Where the surrounding mountains have born witness to the sound of Buddhist prayer for over 440 years.
Get away from it all and surrender yourself to the natural beauty of Takachiho.
We look forward to welcoming you to our temple.
Genbuzan Shonenji


Shonenji Temple
Shonenji is a 440-year-old Pure Land Buddhist temple in Takachiho-cho in the mountains of Kyushu, Japan. It is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty including spectacular gorges, terraced rice fields, and wonderful night skies.
Throughout the temple’s history, beginning with its founding in 1578, the priests of Shonenji have been members of the Yoshimura family. The present head priest, Junsho Yoshimura, is the seventeenth generation of his family to serve.
The Lodge
The Lodge offers guests the chance to experience the mystery and beauty of a 440-year old working Buddhist temple while staying in the luxurious but relaxing surroundings of this Japanese-Scandinavian fusion-style inn. For 17 generations, the Yoshimura family have welcomed visitors to their Pure Land temple. In 2018, they realized their dream of combining artwork, design inspiration, traditional craftsperson skills to make a high-spec, luxury Lodge with self-catering accommodation for 11 guests.
Guests can learn about the temple way of life, visit the Takachiho gorge and Amanoiwato shrine and cave.They can also explore the stunning surroundings of Mt.Aso. Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Yufuin and the famous surfing beaches of Miyazaki are all within scenic 2-hour drive distance.`





The Concept
The priests of Shonenji Temple want to share the beauty of the temple and UNESCO heritage area of Takachiho. They incorporate local artisans work, (pottery, wood-work, straw-weaving), with their eclectic collection of art, kimono and photographs. The brand-new Lodge is fully insulated, double-glazed and has a Canadian log stove to keep it cosy and warm during the winter. Its open, vaulted living area is cool and tranquil in the summer. There is also a traditional irori pit hearth, a custom-made pottery hot tub bath and order-made stain glass windows. 100-year old, lovingly-polished floor boards and ancient ranmas are incorporated into the build.
The building itself is finished outside with the traditional shousugi-ban, charred black wood panels, which have been used for centuries in traditional Japanese builds. This black facade is contrasted with the hand-crafted red front door and the quirky mosaic of artisan pottery from the local potters kiln, which runs along the outside of the Lodge.
All the bedding and towels are 100% organic cotton.
Shonenji Lodge
LodgeAs well as being a luxury guest house for couples, friends and solo travelers; the lodge is available for exclusive hire.
Up to 11 guests can rent the building in its entirety for events, intimate occasions and relaxing retreats.
− The Facilities −
- Parking
- Parking
- Air-conditioned (heat/cool) guest rooms
- Air-conditioned (heat/cool) guest rooms
- Extremely fast WiFi
- Extremely fast WiFi
- Fully-equipped, modern kitchen
- Fully-equipped, modern kitchen
- refrigerator
- refrigerator
- microwave
toaster - microwave
toaster
- coffee maker
- coffee maker
- other culinary ingredients
- other culinary ingredients
- Wood-burning stove in reception room
- Wood-burning stove in reception room
- Washing machine and dryer
- Washing machine and dryer
- All organic bed linens and towels
- All organic bed linens and towels
- Hair dryer
- Hair dryer
- Shampoos
conditioners
body soap - Shampoos
conditioners
body soap
- Table-tennis table
- Table-tennis table
- Pasta and sauces
cup noodles - Pasta and sauces
cup noodles
Reservations
ReservationReservations
- Reservations are confirmed only after receipt of full payment.
- Please enquire about same day reservations.
- Check-in is between 15:00 and 22:00. Check-out is by 11:00. (Please contact us if you want early or late check-in.)
- We aim to welcome our guests in person, but due to our temple commitments, self check-in is sometimes required.
- This is a working temple. We expect our guests to be respectful of our daily rituals and other visitors.
- This is a Pure Land Temple and we do NOT practice Zen meditation.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy for individual bookings.
- Up to 48 hours before scheduled arrival, 100% refund. (Minus transfer fees)
- Less than 48 hours before scheduled arrival, no refund.
Cancellation policy for reservations of four nights or more or for private bookings of the entire facility
- Up to 7 days before scheduled arrival, 100% refund. (Minus transfer fees)
- Between 7 days and 48 hours before scheduled arrival, 50% refund. (Minus transfer fees)
- Less than 48 hours before scheduled arrival, no refund.
*Telephone and email in Japanese and English only.Thank you for your understanding.