Awaken your spirit at OMO3 Kyoto Toji

With a history of 1,200 years since the founding of Heian-kyo, Kyoto is undoubtably Japan’s most popular tourist destination with more than 50 million tourist visits each year.

Situated in a quiet part of Kyoto is Toji Temple. Founded in 796, this World Heritage Site dates back to the Heian era, when Kyoto was the newly named capital of Japan. Its five-story pagoda has become a symbol of Kyoto and is filled with treasured paintings and statues associated with esoteric teachings.

As the only remaining ancient structure of the Heianera, Toji Temple is a site not to be missed. Hoshino Resorts, a hotel management company that operates over 40 properties within and outside of Japan, opened OMO3 Kyoto Toji by Hoshino Resorts in 2021to connect guests to the lasting philosophy and wisdom of this special temple and to enjoy Kyoto from a new and calming perspective.

OMO3 Kyoto Toji is in a quiet area infused with a sense of history, with public bathhouses frequented by locals to a shop selling rice cakes for over 100 years, it is here that you can discover places in the neighbourhood that have been loved throughout time.

Upon entering the hotel, you’ll be greeted by original artwork based on the theme of Toji Temple’s three-dimensional mandala which is formed by 21 Buddhist statues and a wall that uses light and shadow to portray Buddha's gentle, smiling face.

Providing peaceful moments away from everyday life including activities to relax and organise your mind, here’s how you can awaken your spirit at OMO3 Kyoto Toji.

An early morning temple visit

The hotel provides a special early morning tour of Toji Temple where you can witness the Shojinku, a memorial service of offering food to the Kobo Daishi Kukai, a ritual that has continued at Toji Temple for 1,200 years. Hear the morning gong and pick out your favourite prayer beads as you walk around visiting the unique spots of the temple.

For those that want to sleep in, there is another tour later in the morning where you can explore the Toji Temple with a focus on the three-dimensional mandala which continues to convey the thoughts of Kobo Daishi to this day. The hotel neighbourhood guides known as “OMO rangers” provide easy-to-understand explanations on everything from the building construction to the blessings conferred by the Buddha figures, so that even first-time visitors will get the most out of their experience.

Create your own Zen garden

Often seen in temple grounds in Kyoto, Karesansui is a Japanese dry garden often referred to as a zen garden which uses rocks, sand and plants to express nature. Drawing patterns in the sand creates flow, and the beauty of water can be felt where there is no river or pond.

At temples, this is done by monks and gardeners, but at OMO Base, it’s up to the guests. A sand table, tools to draw patterns, and seasonal flowers and plants are provided so you can be immersed in the creation of your own small personal garden.

Practice calligraphy and sutra

Experience the impermanence of all things through calligraphy in the sand. Inspired by Kobo-Daishi Kukai, who was a master calligrapher, the "Tracing Sutra Table" offers guests the opportunity to align their minds through calligraphy and sutra copying in the sand. After finishing with the brush, all you have to do is wipe out the sand. You can try tracing as many times as you like with no fear of making mistakes.

There is also sutra writing paper with brushes available 24 hours a day. This is a good option for first-time visitors as well, who are asked to trace a verse from the Hannya Shingyo. The completed paper can be delivered to Kondo, a national treasure of Toji Temple.

Relax in your room with Buddhist literature

Shinbashira is the core pillar that supports the structure of the five-story pagoda and the bookshelf at OMO3 Kyoto Toji takes inspiration from this. It houses books on Toji and Kukai, a Japanese Buddhist monk that guests can take and read from the comfort of their own room.

Further items that can make your stay more relaxing and are free of charge are a smoke-free incense diffuser, mist to use on your bed and pillow paper, which is said to bring wonderful dreams if you place it under your pillow.

Guests can also enjoy a variety of tea such a hojicha and sencha at the OMO Base as well as Kyo-bancha tea. It is said that monks take decaffeinated tea so as not to strain their bodies during ascetic practices.

Explore the backstreets of Toji

OMO is a city tourism hotel where each property has Go-KINJO, a service comprised of the Go-KINJO map and Go-KINJO activities, so that guests can explore and learn more about the deep culture of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The old and newparts of the Toji area can be seen from the map, and guests can compare the street names and destinations that have not changed. They can also see where recommended stores and locally loved eateries are located. Learning about the change of time through these maps will surely make your trip to Toji more memorable.

* Maki Watabe  m.watabe@thedoq.co