The charm of Minobu, a hidden power spot about 2 hours from Tokyo

• Table of Contents
• Minobu Town, a hidden gem in Yamanashi
• The best part of Minobu Town! Staying at a temple!
• 3 Temples You Can Stay at with OTERA STAY
• Close to the temple! Introducing recommended sightseeing spots!
• A charming town that flourished as a temple town

Minobu Town, a hidden gem in Yamanashi

What is Minobu Town?

Minobu Town is a town rich in nature located in the southern part of Yamanashi Prefecture.

It flourished as a temple town from the Kamakura period to the Edo period, and is also known as the site of Kuon-ji Temple, the head temple of the Nichiren sect.

The town also has many cultural facilities and museums, and has recently been chosen as a setting for anime and manga, attracting a wide range of tourists.

Whether you're looking for culture, history, or tourism, Minobu Town has a lot to offer.

Specialties of Minobu Town

Minobu Town is a town full of history, and there are many specialty products that have been cultivated over that long period of time. Here we will introduce three representative specialty products.

・Akebono soybeans : A type of large soybean known as the "phantom soybean." It has a sweet and rich flavor, and is processed into familiar foods such as tofu and miso, and can be purchased at roadside stations and local supermarkets.

・Yuba : Yuba from Minobu Town has a history of 750 years since its birth, and is known for its rich flavor. There are several types of processed yuba, including raw yuba and dried yuba. There are also yuba specialty stores in the town, so they are also recommended as souvenirs.

・Nishijima Washi : This type of washi paper is said to have been used by  Shingen Takeda and has a history of over 400 years. It is characterized by its beautiful bleeding and ink-colored coloring.

The reason it is called a hidden place

The reason why Minobu Town is called a hidden place is due to its geographical features and its history as a temple town. The town is surrounded by mountains on all sides and the waters of the Fuji River flow through the center, making it a mysterious land.

The aforementioned Kuon-ji Temple, the head temple of the Nichiren sect, still exists here. The area is known as a hidden place because of the rich natural environment and historical aspects that have been passed down for many years, such as Nishijima Washi paper and Shimobe Onsen.

Minobu, about 2 hours from Tokyo

Even though it is surrounded by mountains, public transportation is available via the JR Minobu Line, so transportation is not particularly inconvenient.

Of course, the easiest way to get there is by car, which takes about two hours from Tokyo.

The best part of Minobu Town! Staying at a temple!

Stay overnight at a temple! What is OTERA STAY?

An essential part of any trip is a place to stay.

In fact, instead of staying in a hotel or inn in Minobu Town, you can stay at a temple.

"OTERA STAY" is a service that allows you to stay at a temple.

It is said that Japanese temples have played a role as a place to disseminate culture, education, and the arts since ancient times. By staying overnight at a temple, you can have the same experiences as monks, such as Zen meditation and copying sutras.

We offer services that allow you to have a variety of experiences at the temple!

In addition to accommodation, OTERA STAY also offers a variety of other plans.

The first is the "Temple Hotel," which is the foundation of this service. The company has partnered with 11 temples, including one in Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, and is a service that allows you to stay at a temple.

The second is "OTERA WORK," which allows you to use the temple for work purposes such as meetings and remote work. It can be used as a place for corporate training camps and training, and also offers programs aimed at mindfulness, so it is recommended for use as a workation.

3 Temples You Can Stay at with OTERA STAY

【 Temple Hotel Hambabo 】

This temple was founded by Shijo Kingo Yoriki, a samurai of the Kamakura period and the personal physician of Saint Nichiren. It is one of the oldest and most historic temples among the current branch temples of Mount Minobu.

You can experience things like guided walks around sacred sites and cold-water ablutions while listening to stories and episodes that aren't included in the pamphlets.

Morning services are held at Kuon-ji Temple, and the sound of many monks chanting sutras and the beating of large drums is a refreshing experience.

[ Temple Hotel Shimano-bo ]

Shimabo was founded in the Kamakura period and has a history of 750 years.

In addition to morning prayer and meditation, you can also try copying sutras and chanting, so if you're interested, please try it.

[ Temple Hotel Matsui-bo ]

This temple enshrines Hokushin Myoken Daibosatsu as its guardian deity. It is said to have been founded by the monk Nicho in 1364, and the approach to the temple is still lined with the magnificent pine tree that gave the temple its name.

The delicious local cuisine uses locally grown vegetables and the local specialty, yuba (tofu skin). The temple is surrounded by nature, so you can enjoy walking around the area, and on certain days in March, you can have a mystical experience of seeing the North Star shining directly above the temple.

Close to the temple! Introducing recommended sightseeing spots!

Minobu Yuba Village

Minobu Yuba no Sato is known as a store that produces and sells Minobu Yuba.

It is said that it was originally made by a disciple of Saint Nichiren as a source of nutrition for his master and has been passed down for over 700 years to the present day.

This facility not only sells yuba products, but also offers a variety of opportunities to experience the charms of yuba, including a manufacturing experience. There is also a restaurant called "Seiryu" where you can enjoy yuba dishes, so be sure to stop by.

Shimobe Onsen Village

Shimobe Onsenkyo has a history of over 1,300 years.

At Shimobe Onsen, you can enjoy two types of hot springs: the "Hidden Hot Spring" which is based on a lukewarm spring source, and the "Oku no Yu High Temperature Spring" which is based on a hot spring source of 51 degrees Celsius.

It has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best hot springs, and is said to be effective in sensitivity to cold and fatigue. We highly recommend that you come to this spot to soothe your travel fatigue.

Kuon-ji Temple

This temple is the head temple of the Nichiren sect and was founded in 1281. Within the temple grounds, there are 287 stone steps that give off a sense of history, and a row of weeping cherry trees that are over 400 years old.

Also famous are the remains of the hermitage where Nichiren Shonin lived for nine years 740 years ago and the colorful maple leaves at his mausoleum.

It is a valuable spot that houses many prefecturally designated cultural properties, including the National Treasure "Summer Landscape Painting on Silk."

A charming town that flourished as a temple town

What did you think?

The mystical experience of Minobu Town, starting with an overnight stay at a temple, including the famous Kuon-ji Temple , is sure to be something you won't get to experience on an ordinary trip.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax both body and mind, be sure to spend some precious time experiencing the rich nature and tourist resources of Minobu Town.