Japan’s best kept secret

It’s true—by sharing hidden gems, they might not stay hidden for long. But I don’t believe in gatekeeping. Sharing is caring.

I discovered Minobu this year, during my fourth trip to Japan. What to say about Minobu? You don’t read about it. You don’t hear about it. And that’s exactly what makes it magic.

Minobu is one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, and it lends its name to the tiny village nestled at its base. It’s a place of temples, where you can experience the life of monks—praying with them, learning their chants, and eating the most incredible vegan food I’ve ever had.

At 5 AM, after morning prayers, we stepped outside the temple. The sun had already risen, but the world still felt half-asleep. The only sounds were the monks’ voices, their chants drifting through the mountains, carried by the crisp morning air alongside the soft calls of waking birds.

We looked down the 300 steps connecting the temple to the entrance gate—the very place where Nichiren Buddhism was born. As we stood there, taking it all in, a small group of deer passed by. Serene. Undisturbed.

Our monk turned to us and said, “You see? This—everything—is just as it was 700 years ago. The morning chants, the wind in the trees, the birds singing, the deer walking by.”

I will never forget that moment. It was absolutely magical.

If you want to know more about Minobu - best temple stays, how to get there, must-do experiences, please book a 30 mins consultation with me by clicking the “Book now” orange button at the top right of the page!