Awaken Your True Self at Minobu-san Kuonji
—The Sacred Heart of Nichiren Buddhism
Step into the transformative lifestyle known as Nichiren Monk Mode
— a practice embraced by America’s top 1% of achievers.
This is not a retreat.
It’s a reset.
A deep spiritual experience that clears away inner distractions and restores your sense of self-worth.
At the head temple of the Nichiren sect, Minobu-san Kuonji, you’ll engage in rituals that challenge both body and mind:
- • Morning Service (Chōkin): Join a congregation of monks in a powerful morning ceremony that purifies your spirit and energizes your day.
- • Chanting Meditation (Shōdai-gyō): Surrender to the rhythm of the Lotus Sutra, reflect inward, and harmonize your body and soul.
- • Taiko Drumming: With your mind and body aligned, unleash focused energy through the primal beat of traditional Japanese drums.
This is not superficial self-help.
It’s not about adjusting your diet, tweaking your workout, or meditating for marginal gains.
It’s about escaping the grip of “cheap dopamine”
— social media, endless videos, addictive games —
and confronting your authentic self.
Ask yourself:
- • Who do you truly want to become?
- • What are you avoiding?
- • Are you stuck in blame, or ready to take responsibility?
This journey demands time, effort, physical strength —
and yes, financial commitment.
It’s neither cost-efficient nor time-efficient..
But the return on investment
— clarity, transformation, and a renewed sense of purpose —
is beyond measure.
Day 1 of Your Journey
Exclusive Temple Access & Traditional Ceremonies
The Grand Temple Complex Atop Mount Minobu
① Exclusive Visit to Kuonji Temple
Mount Minobu ranks among Japan’s three great sacred mountains, alongside Mount Hiei and Mount Kōya. It is home to Kuonji Temple, the head temple of the Nichiren sect — one of Japan’s most prominent Buddhist schools, with over 5,000 affiliated temples nationwide.
A Rare Ritual Under the Night Sky
② Traditional Ceremony in Darkness Experience
Yomairi, a sacred nighttime pilgrimage held only during special Buddhist services and festivals.
Walk through the temple grounds illuminated by countless lanterns, and pay homage in an atmosphere of profound serenity.
Day 2
Traditional Buddhist Rituals & Sacred Mountain Pilgrimage
Day 2: Traditional Buddhist Rituals & Sacred Mountain Pilgrimage
Part of the Nichiren sect — one of Japan’s most prominent Buddhist schools, with over 5,000 temples.
① Morning Service (Chōkin): A 750-Year-Old Tradition
Part of the Nichiren sect — one of Japan’s most prominent Buddhist schools, with over 5,000 temples.
This ritual begins with monks forming a solemn procession toward the Main Hall. Inside, the air resonates with the beat of drums and wooden clappers as they chant the sacred mantra Myōhō Renge Kyō (Lotus Sutra).
The ceremony concludes with incense offerings and a gesture of reverence.
A Sacred Act of Devotion
② Pilgrimage to Mount Minobu & Prayer at Shishinkaku
Embark on a spiritual ascent — a pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Minobu, one of Japan’s revered sacred peaks. At the inner sanctuary Shishinkaku, a site dedicated to filial piety and deep reflection, you will have the rare opportunity to join a special prayer ceremony.
③A Cultural Performance Inspired by Buddhist Traditions
Created by Japanese Artists in the Sacred Land of Minobu As the culmination of your immersive journey, enjoy an exclusive performance crafted solely for this experience. Through dynamic taiko drumming, elegant dance, and theatrical storytelling, the essence of the Lotus Sutra is woven into a mesmerizing show — a tribute to both tradition and transformation.
A Buddhist-Inspired Performance by Yuranza
Day 3
Traditional Practice: Chanting Meditation (Shōdai-gyō)
A Meditative Practice to Harmonize Mind and Body
Experience Shōdai-gyō, a traditional Nichiren practice of chanting the sacred mantra Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō (Devotion to the Lotus Sutra).
Guided by an experienced monk, this rare opportunity invites you to turn inward, reflect deeply, and restore balance between mind and body.
Accommodation
Ebisuya Guesthouse: A Historic Retreat ReimaginedOnce the stately home of the renowned Mochizuki family, this 90-year-old residence has been beautifully restored as an exclusive private villa.
Designated as a national cultural property, the house features exquisite craftsmanship in its traditional Japanese rooms and Western-style spaces that evoke the elegance of Japan’s Taishō era.
Enjoy a spacious terrace overlooking lush mountains and a serene river, and indulge in the luxury of Minobu’s only natural hot spring — complete with indoor and outdoor baths.
Adorned with curated art pieces, the guesthouse offers an experience akin to staying in a living museum of Japanese aesthetics.
| Features | Descriptions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Two 10-mat Japanese-style rooms + Two Western-style rooms (2 beds) | |
| ② | Island kitchen, private indoor bath, washbasin, and toilet | Equipped with modern appliances and cookware; indoor bath uses natural hot spring water |
| ③ | Open deck with private outdoor bath and sauna | Outdoor bath is also a hot spring; sauna includes a shower room |
Japanese-Style Room
Western-Style Room
Deck Area
Washbasin
Kitchen
Interior Hallway
Indoor Bath
Private Sauna
At Gyōgakuin Kakurinbō, we offer a variety of rooms tailored to your stay. Unlike the private villa Ebisuya Guesthouse, baths, washrooms, and toilets here are shared.
However, the building itself — a 90-year-old residence designated as a national cultural property — provides an extraordinary experience, as if you were staying in a living museum of Japanese art and tradition.
At our temple, we elevate traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, cultivated over centuries in this sacred land, into dishes that are both authentic and approachable.
Savor specialties like GI-certified Akebono Soybean Natto and delicate Yuba (tofu skin), both local treasures that add a distinctive flavor to your Minobu experience.
Your meals are fully customized to your preferences, including two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Below are examples of what we offer.
Yuba Gozen
(Tofu Skin Set Meal)
Begin with fresh yuba (tofu skin) from Mount Minobu and seasonal vegetables, then savor unique dishes available only at our temple — such as Sakura-Steamed Yuba and Tomato Hot Pot with Yuba and Soy Milk.
We also use our own homemade soy sauce koji and carefully selected seasonal ingredients, ensuring every dish reflects the flavors of the season.
“Oteranchi” Yuba Kaiseki
(Temple-Style Multi-Course Meal)
In 2015, we introduced Oteranchi — a concept combining “temple” and “lunch” — to make traditional kaiseki cuisine more accessible.
Enjoy a lunch plate inspired by Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, featuring yuba (tofu skin) as the centerpiece.
Savor local specialties nurtured by Minobu’s rich natural environment, including yuba and GI-certified Akebono soybeans, along with fresh seasonal vegetables.
Please note: Menu items may vary slightly depending on the season.
Hōtō Pasta
(Local Specialty Noodles with a Twist)
Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs designates certain regional culinary traditions as “100-Year Foods” — dishes worth preserving for the next century.
Among the few recognized in Yamanashi Prefecture is Hōtō Pasta from Farm Café Zencho, a creative twist on a local classic. This dish is crafted to delight vegetarians and vegans alike.
Detailed Model Itinerary
Travel Price for the Above Model Plan 2 Nights / 3 Days
¥1,570,000 per person (based on double occupancy, tax and service included)
Please note: The above is a reference price and may vary depending on the accommodation (room type, number of guests). For details, please contact us.
Included in the Tour Price:
Meals: 2 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 2 dinners Transportation during the tour, local guide or interpreter guide, and insurance Accommodation:
Day 1: Special detached room at the main building “Gyōgakuin Kakurinbō” Day 2: Entire villa at the annex “Guesthouse Ebisuya”
This plan is based on meeting and departing at the destination. Transportation arrangements to Mount Minobu are also available upon request (additional cost).
Terms and Conditions
For this plan, arrangements will be made after receiving your request.
Please note: This is sold as a package including accommodations and experience tours as described in the model plan. We do not accept requests for individual components such as only the experience tour or only accommodations.
We will proceed with the trip only if all of the following conditions are met:
- ・Arrangements for accommodations, meals, transportation, guides, and performers are completed.
- ・Service providers are operating normally.
- ・There are no unavoidable circumstances such as natural disasters, suspension of transportation services, or other reasons beyond our control that prevent implementation.
For detailed travel conditions, please refer to the [Custom-Order Travel Contract].
Additional Notes
An amount equivalent to 15% of the total travel cost will be charged as a planning fee (handling fee).