信貴山玉蔵院という寺に宿泊して、仏教文化に親しむ外国人がいる。

Feature | 2025.1.24

信貴山大本山 玉蔵院

Some foreign visitors experience Buddhist culture
by staying at Shigisan Gyokuzoin Temple.

Drawn by the mystical allure of Buddhism, many inbound tourists journey into the mountains
of Nara to stay at temple lodgings and participate in spiritual practices.

Shigisan is a sacred mountain of prayer, established some 1,400 years ago by Prince Shotoku. Its temple lodgings, Gyokuzoin, are a popular destination for inbound tourists. Originally for worshippers and monks to stay during their pilgrimages, it is now open to all. We asked Mikko Nozawa, the Head Priest and Chief Abbot of Shigisan Gyokuzoin why foreign visitors flock to these remote temple lodgings, accessible only by car or bus, and fairly unknown even among the Japanese? When did you start seeing an increase in foreign guests at the temple lodgings? “Since COVID ended. Now, about 80% of our guests are foreigners.” How do they learn about Gyokuzoin? “Many come through referrals from agencies run by foreigners. Some join tours organized by Japanese travel companies, and others book directly through international travel sites.” Which countries do most of your foreign guests come from? “More come from Europe than the US or Asia, particularly from France. We receive more visitors from Catholic countries like France, Spain, and Italy than from Protestant nations. Our temple is surrounded by rich nature and quiet. At night, we light lanterns, creating a mystical landscape for guests to explore. Perhaps these elements of mystery appeal to foreign visitors.” What experiences do guests have at the temple lodgings? “First, we serve shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Foreign guests eat it, though I’m not sure they enjoy it (laughs). Early mornings include goma fire rituals and other prayers. Guests can also experience the 108 prostrations while chanting sutras, sutra copying, Buddhist painting, meditation, and cleaning. None of the activities are mandatory, but many join the prayer rituals.”

Foreign visitors greatly appreciate staying at a serene temple in nature, enjoying Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, participating in early morning prayers, and listening to sutras—these quintessentially Japanese spiritual experiences, rare even for Japanese.
“Once, Italian guests stayed with us for a childbirth prayer. Later, they were blessed with a child and credited the prayers for the miracle. They asked us to name the child, so we suggested the middle name ‘Tamon,’ derived from Tamonten, the Buddhist deity known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings. They were so delighted that they created a household altar, enshrined our talisman, and sent us photos. We were surprised and touched.” Some foreign guests take home the Buddhist culture they experience at the temple lodgings. International travelers eagerly explore even Japan’s rural and remote areas. We Japanese can also discover unexpected and diverse charms when visiting such places. At Gyokuzoin, for example, one can engage with Buddhism alongside foreign guests. Inbound tourism thus brings diverse cultures to our doorstep.

《信貴山大本山 玉蔵院》


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インバウンドの中身。

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インバウンドの中身。

訪日客は日本のどこを見ているのか、という話。

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