The welcoming Minshuku Kawarabiso is located on its own on the banks of the beautiful Kawarabi-gawa river, which it draws its name from.  It is a family run business so you may see the whole family helping at times.  It also serves at the local restaurant.  This facility used to be a fish farm for Amago, the red-spotted masu salmon, a highly prized delicacy.  This fish is endemic to Japan and only lives in the cleanest rivers. You can still see the large cement cisterns nearby.  Meals often feature Amago and other wild meats. Minshuku Kawarabiso is a 20 minute walk, or short drive, from the trailhead of the Kumano Kodo, Kohechi section; Obakotoge-pass to the south and Koyasan to the north.  Please relax and enjoy the down-to-earth mountain hospitality.

Muryoko-in, which means immeasurable light, is a temple in Koyasan with a history of over 1000 years.  It is dedicated to Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life;  the light of Amida’s wisdom and the life of his compassion are boundless.  The older facilities at Muryoko-in enhance the feel of this classic temple stay experience.  The silent garden and pond behind the temple joins seamless with the forest, and inspires guests with each glance.  The highlight of a stay here is the morning ceremony with its hypnotizing esoteric morning rituals.

Morning Buddhist Ceremony & Gomataki Fire Ritual

Every morning at Muryoko-in a Buddhist morning ceremony and Gomataki Fire Ritual takes place in the main worship hall, and is open to guests. The rich colors, smells of incense, and rhythmical chants of the monks are enchanting. One of a few temples in Koyasan, the Gomataki fire ritual is performed daily, in which a sacrificial fire is kindled and consecrated before invoking divinities and making offerings of prayers on wooden tablets. Flames rise and dance from the elaborate alter as if entranced and controlled by the priest reciting mysterious prayers and enigmatic mantras. Near the end of the ceremony worshippers are sometimes invited to the rear of the hall to make offerings of incense, allowing for an otherworldly, immersive experience.

Hotel Nosegawa is located in a tiny settlement of houses next to Kawarabi-gawa River deep in the heart of the Kii mountains. It is famous for its hot spring baths and isolated location, with all rooms facing the river.

Meals are made from local ingredients in the mountains, such as wild meats, and fish from the nearby river.

This mountain-side accommodation can be visited with a convenient shuttle service to/from Koyasan. It is also popular with hikers on the Kumano Kodo, Kohechi section, with Obakotoge-pass to the south and Koyasan to the north. 

From the Omata trailhead, Hotel Nosegawa is a 40-minute walk and a short drive by car.  You can call the hotel from the pay phone at the trailhead and they can pick you up with their shuttle bus.