Oita, Oita

Shoganji Zen Retreat

Authentic Zen temple life in rural Oita — meditation, meals, and English email booking

Zen templeRinzaiOitaKyushumeditationhomestayEnglish bookingrural Japan

01 - Arrive

The place itself

Shoganji Zen Retreat is a modest rural Zen Buddhist temple in the Saganoseki area near Oita City, Kyushu, currently headed by Rinzai Zen monk Jiho Kongo. Since opening its doors to international guests in 2004, Shoganji has offered an authentic temple-life homestay — not a hotel spa retreat and not a closed monastery. Stays are all-inclusive of lodging, meditation practice, two meals per day, and most on-site activities. Guests are expected to help with temple upkeep, gardening, and meal preparation and cleanup. The setting is a historic temple site (artifacts and grounds centuries old), tucked on a mountainside above a tiny village, about a five-minute walk from the beach, with bamboo forest nearby and onsen country around Beppu. Typically only a small number of guests stay at a time (often around four), so the experience stays intimate. Booking is handled in English by email at shoganjizenretreat@gmail.com, with a guest application and deposit process described on zenretreat.com.

02 - Feel

Why it is different

Live temple rhythm

A working Rinzai Zen temple with meditation, shared meals, and quiet rural days — not a westernized spa package.

Intimate guest circle

Usually only a few guests at a time, which keeps the stay personal and participatory.

Book in English by email

Ask about dates, send the application, and confirm deposit through the process on zenretreat.com.

Sea, forest, and onsen country

Bamboo forest nearby, beach a short walk away, and Beppu onsen region close for optional hot-spring days.

03 - Live here

How the days go

1
Email your dates
Write shoganjizenretreat@gmail.com with preferred nights.
2
Deposit and application
Follow the book-your-stay steps on zenretreat.com.
3
Arrive for temple life
Settle into meditation, meals, and shared temple care.
4
Explore the region
Optional beach, hiking, onsen, and cultural outings.

04 - Stay

Ways to stay

All-inclusive Zen temple stay

JPY 10,800 / night / guest

Lodging, meditation, two meals daily, and most on-site activities. Guest participation expected.

Book this package

More of the place

05 - Know

Before you go

Shoganji is in the Saganoseki area near Oita City, Kyushu. Getting-here details and local pickup guidance are on zenretreat.com/getting-here. For overseas booking questions use email; local phone numbers are for pickup/assistance once in Japan.

Stay for

5 nights minimum; 30 nights maximum (longer on request).

Children

Confirm family policies directly when emailing to book.

If plans change

Deposits are non-refundable but often transferable to other dates when available — confirm with the retreat.

Can I book in English by email?

Yes. Preferred dates, applications, and booking questions go to shoganjizenretreat@gmail.com. They typically reply within about 24 hours.

What does the nightly rate include?

JPY 10,800 per guest per night includes lodging, meditation practice, two meals a day, and most on-site activities. Confirm current details on zenretreat.com/book-your-stay.

What is the minimum stay?

A 5-night minimum and 30-night maximum (longer stays considered on request).

Is this a hotel or spa resort?

No. It is a working Zen temple homestay. Guests help with temple maintenance, gardening, and meal prep/cleanup. Expect a simple, authentic rural Japan experience rather than a glossy resort.

Where is Shoganji located?

Shoganji Zen Temple, 269 Shuki, Oita-shi, Oita-ken 879-2115, Japan — in the Saganoseki village area, about 30 minutes from Oita City, near bamboo forest and a short walk from the beach.

How do I confirm a stay?

Email preferred dates, pay the deposit via their published PayPal flow, and send the completed guest application questionnaire to shoganjizenretreat@gmail.com. Balance is typically paid in cash at the retreat.

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