“Kakurinbo” where you can experience real Japan, which is very popular with foreigners
Temple stay Kakurinbo was opened as a lodging facility for monks who came to train at Mt. However, it gradually became possible for worshipers of Kuon-ji Temple to stay, and now it also accepts tourists visiting Yamanashi Minobu and foreigners.
A typical temple stay in Japan is basically a lodging facility for worship, so it is common for many of the services and facilities to be simple. However, Kakurinbo provides visitors with warm hospitality, highly convenient facilities, and a space that maintains privacy. In addition, there is a space where you can feel the rich nature of Minobu with all five senses, such as the Japanese garden designed by Muso Kokushi and the Sakura Terrace where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing during the cherry blossom season. You may forget that it is a temple stay.
Kakurinbo offers a variety of activities where you can experience the tradition and history of Minobu, and as an inn that leaves unforgettable memories for those who stay, it has gained support from many people, including foreigners. I'm here.
The secret to its popularity is the concept of the activity, "Real Japan." The history, traditions, crafts, and other human activities of Buddhism have accumulated in this area, so you can experience Buddhism such as making rosary bracelets and copying sutras, experiencing festivals where you can feel traditional Japanese culture, and wearing a wedding kimono, which is rare even for Japanese people. You can feel the climate and life of Japan realistically. In addition, it is located close to Kuonji Temple on Mt. It will be a “real Japan” experience that you will not be able to do.
Kakurinbo and the famous proprietress
Minobusan Kuonji Temple, located in the southern part of Yamanashi Prefecture, was founded by Nichiren Shonin during the Kamakura period. Since then, it has been visited by many people as the head temple of the Nichiren sect, one of the sects of Buddhism in Japan. Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple is also famous as a temple for training, and there are many temple stays in the surrounding area for monks in training. Kakurinbo is one such temple stay.
The official name of Kakurinbo is ``Gyogakuin Kakurinbo'', and about 550 years ago, Gyogakuin Nicho Daishonin, the 11th head priest of Mt. It began. Its ancestor, Nicho Daishonin, lost his sight at the age of 61, and at the age of 67, he compiled the 'Eye Disease Disappearance Honzon' so that believers of the Lotus Sutra would not suffer from eye diseases. Since then, it has come to be known as the "God of eyes" and "God of learning," and many people still visit the Nicho-do hall in Kakurinbo, where Nicho-shonin is enshrined. increase. Currently, the 42nd generation Daikoku Junko Higuchi is the proprietress, and together with Deputy Chief Priest Korego Higuchi, she is taking on various challenges as a temple stay and Kakurinbo.
She is admired by customers and repeaters who visit her as "Junko-san!" Immediately after graduating from university, she married Kakurinbo. When I married into Kakurinbo, Minobu-cho was crowded with many trainee monks and worshipers, but after 2000, the number decreased, and the entire post town of Minobu lost its vitality. yes. Junko, who protected herself as the landlady of Kakurinbo and nurtured her children, was saddened by the sight of the town gradually becoming lonely. I made up my mind and started various efforts to bring back the bustle of Minobu centering on Kakurinbo.
Then, not only worshipers but also Japanese tourists and foreigners gradually increased, and the inn gradually regained its liveliness. The passion and hospitality of the proprietress and staff has led to many repeat customers, and the reputation has been gaining popularity, and now it has evolved into an accommodation facility that attracts foreigners from all over the world who aim to visit Kakurinbo. Due to the influence of the new coronavirus in 2019, the number of foreign tourists has decreased for a while, but even in the meantime, proprietress Higuchi energetically proposes and implements various projects and events to liven up the Minobu area. increase.
Facility introduction and the popular vegan and kosher-friendly vegetarian cuisine
Kakurinbo can be used not only for lodging, but also for lunch and dining. Especially popular is the "oteranchi," which you can enjoy while looking out at the garden that Kakurinbo is proud of. “Oteranchi” is an original Kakurinbo lunch menu that combines “Temple” and “Lunch”. Dishes based on cooking are served as one plate.
Akebono soybeans, which are native to the Minobu region of Yamanashi, are about twice the size of regular soybeans, and are characterized by their strong sweetness and plump texture. Kakurinbo's home-made natto is made using this characteristic. The plump, sweet and large natto has no unique smell and is popular with foreigners. Yuba, which is said to have been made by a disciple for Saint Nichiren, is also one of Minobu's specialties.
The yuba, which is served with soy sauce and wasabi while enjoying the original sweetness of the beans, is a popular menu item that even vegetarians can safely eat. Dessert is soy milk soft cream with 4 kinds of fruit confiture. Confiture can contribute to the effective use of resources while enjoying the colorful taste by utilizing the discarded fruits of farmers, among the fruits produced in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is rich in nature .
Also, we would like you to enjoy local drinks and sake with the dishes. At Kakurinbo, we recommend Koshu wine from Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as original beer. Kakurinbo's original beer, which is uniquely named "Ji Beer", was created with the passion of the proprietress, Junko. “I want to make the town of Minobu lively!” Developed with a single-minded dedication, Tera Beer is characterized by its light and easy-to-drink taste, and is becoming a new specialty of Minobu.
When it comes to how to drink temple beer, we especially recommend the fruit-flavored beer that goes well with Kakurinbo's homemade confiture. The combination of juicy fruit confiture and light beer is outstanding, and you can enjoy the unique taste of Yamanashi, which is rich in fruits. The most popular is Sumomotera Beer, so be sure to give it a try.
It's almost the best season to be surrounded by cherry blossoms in Minobu. Kakurinbo is a temple stay that offers many experiences that allow visitors to experience the culture, traditions, and climate of Minobu. By all means, when you visit Minobu in Yamanashi Prefecture, please experience the real Japan at Kakurinbo.
