This year the Koyasan Cafe will return to Cafe Hy's in Aoyama, Tokyo, bringing with it a special chance to experience the spirituality of Mt. Koya, a World Heritage Site in Wakayama, Japan. For a limited time from 1-6 September, monks from the sacred buddhist site will visit Tokyo to help spread the teachings and culture of their mountaintop temples. This special event combines Zen spirituality with gourmet treats and a chic atmosphere, letting guests get a taste of Koyasan without leaving Tokyo.

During the event visitors can experience hand-copying sutras (Buddhist scriptures) to calm the mind, sample unique vegan dishes based on the strict diet of the Koyasan monks, and view a replica mandala and photographs from Mt. Koya.

[Location]
Cafe Hy's Map
(External link. Japanese only.)
5-51-1 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

[Access]
From Omotesando Station: a 3-minute walk from Exit B2 of Omotesando Station on the Ginza Line or Hanzomon Line
*Walk in the direction of Shibuya and turn right at the Muji store. You will see the orange-colored Cafe Hy's on the left hand side.
From Shibuya Station: a 15 minute-walk from JR Shibuya Station.

[Hours]
-Gallery
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Weekdays)
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Saturday)
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Sunday)

-Experience
2:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Weekdays)
11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Saturday)
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 (Sunday)

-Lunch
Starts at 12:00 noon each day

The charms of Mt. Koya (located in Wakayama Prefecture) are introduced through three different zones.

1. The Gallery Zone

-A mandala replica exhibition
-A tatami space, scented with incense
-An exhibition of photographs of Mt. Koya

2. The Experience Zone

-Meditation and the hand-copying of sutras can actually be tried out under the guidance of monks from Mt. Koya's temples.
-Live Buddhist music performances
-Cooking the vegan dishes.

* Schedule
Click here for the menu schedule. (External link. Japanese only)

3. The Cafe Zone

Items available include:
-Mt. Koya-style vegan lunch (JPY 1,260) and sweets (JPY 420) made of sesame bean curd.
-An original cocktail, "Evening glow of Mt. Koya," which uses sake (rice wine) from Mt. Koya.

[Information about Mt. Koya]
*Access to Mt. Koya (External link)

[Temple Stays in Mt.Koya (Koyasan)]

Of course, to get the true experience, the best option is to travel to Koyasan yourself, and spend a night in a shukubo, or traditional buddhist temple lodgings.

JAPANiCAN.com's Top 3 Shukubo Temple Lodgings

1. Koyasan Onsen Fukuchiin　　Koyasan, Wakayama

Guestrooms are surrounded by a large garden that was designed by a famous landscape artist. The hot spring (onsen) bath is open 24 hours a day.

From JPY 9,975

2. Hongakuin　　Koyasan, Wakayama

Hogakuin is surrounded by five unique gardens in the center of a quiet wooded area. The food here is especially famous.

From JPY 13,650

3. Henjoko-in　　Koyasan, Wakayama

This temple used to be the imperial chamber for Emperor Shirakawa. Here, visitors can see many items on display that have been designated as important national treasures. Visitors can also enjoy rooms facing a bright new garden, each with fusuma (Japanese-style sliding doors) covered with gold dust.


From JPY 10,500


*See all Koyasan temple lodgings

I just returned from an amazing trip to Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, where I had the chance to take an early morning cruise passing by some amazing scenery on Gojira Iwa Tourism's Iouzan Course.

While passing by Kamuiwakka Falls, I spotted a mother bear out for a walk with her two cubs!

If you download and print out the PDF below, you can get 10% off of the same cruise, operated by Gojira Iwa Tourism! Just take it to the ticket window at Gojira Iwa Tourism and you're ready to go!

Download the coupon here

Here's a video I took during the cruise!