[Dialogue] Temple Stay in Takayama, Japan

[Don Hinkelman]

For those of you visiting Japan next month for the ICAI conference,  
you will enjoy a very old traditional Japanese town called Takayama.

After spending 24 years here, I have only visited old Japan twice in  
Kyoto, but never in the countryside and mountain areas.  So I am  
looking forward to this.

Takyama has 170 "ryokans", Japanese-style B&Bs with tatami rooms,  
futon sleeping, and lovely meals.  I want to try those but cannot  
afford them, so I booked a room in a temple inn because it sounded  
romantic and very cheap (US$28 dollars/night).  If you are going and  
have not booked a room, consider it.

The inn is part of a temple near Takayama station.   It is hostel- 
style, no meals, austere temple rooms--private or dorm.  I booked five  
nights private room for 3000 yen/night mainly to save money, enjoy the  
garden, and be close to the train station (5 min walk).  The monk,  
nicknamed "Tommy", spoke English to me and said there is a breakfast  
place across the street for coffee/toast from 350 yen.  Or I can bring  
in food and cook in their kitchen.  They have plenty of open rooms he  
said.  See here for reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.jp/Hotel_Review-g298113-d677390-Reviews-Hida_Takayama_Zenkoji-Takayama_Gifu_Prefecture_Chubu.html

And see here for email address if you want to book in English:
http://www.geocities.jp/zenkojitakayama/japanease.html

Don Hinkelman
Sapporo, Japan



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