The mountain range of Yoshino is well known as the home of Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts) and has witnessed many historical incidents such as Nanboku-Cho (split of the Japanese Imperial House into Northern and Southern Dynasties in 14th century). The whole area was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.
The mountains are painted in pink by cherry blossoms in spring and in bright green by maple tree leaves in early summer, which turn into vermillion in autumn. In winter you will enjoy beautiful snowy landscape. Throughout a year, the mountain range of Yoshino offers you breathtakingly beautiful natural scenes. Yoshino is the spot you cannot miss among all other sightseeing spots in western part of Japan.
Houtou-ji temple is situated on the hill overlooking Yoshino, and its Shuku-Bo is visited by many overseas tourists. To get to the temple, you get off a Kintetsu Line train at Yamato Kami-Ichi Station and walk the mountain path uphill for some time. When you are out of the canopy of foliage, you will find the sky suddenly wide open above you, and in front you see a stupa. You have arrived Houtou-ji. In the precincts of the temple, there is a building which serves as Shuku-Bo with a cafe serving tourists. Overseas tourists share 80% of the guests of this Shuku-Bo, and many of them stay more than one night.
The reason for this Shuku-Bo being so popular is their attentive and accommodating attitude when they accept reservation from guests. “Our Shuku-Bo is a place for guests to rest and relax. Therefore, we make it a point to listen to the needs of guests before confirming their reservation” says Rev. Houzui Terashima, the chief priest of Houtou-ji.
Through close communication, guests are fully guided what to expect (facility of the Shuku-Bo, lay of land around the temple, meals they are served, etc.) when they get there. “I don’t think it mandatory that guests experience Buddhism if they stay in a temple. Of course, we accommodate if we are requested by guests to arrange some Buddhism activity, but before that, we would like our guests to relax and enjoy.”
In charge of the guest relation is Mrs. Yoshiko Terashima. She runs the Shuku-Bo and the cafe, and on top to that, she teaches flower arrangement. Cafe and flower arrangement classes are popular spots among local people, making the temple serve as a communication center of the area. From time to time, a dinner is arranged with Mr. & Mrs. Terashima, local people and Shuku-Bo guests attended to spend joyful time together. Mr. & Mrs. Terashima are hoping to make their Shuku-Bo a place where guests can stay as long as their hearts’ content. That is why they try to be as attentive as possible to the needs of their guests. No wonder this temple attracts so many guests from all over the world.