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Chikurin-in Gunpoen exterior on Yoshino-yamaGunpoen โ€” one of the Three Great Gardens of YamatoChikurin-in interiorChikurin-in Gunpoen โ€” official site hero image
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Luxury| Yoshino

Chikurin-in Gunpoen

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Yoshino-yama's most prestigious shukubo-ryokan, founded by Prince Shotoku and centered on Gunpoen โ€” a Sen no Rikyu garden listed among the Three Great Gardens of Yamato.

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UNESCO World Heritage
from$110 /per night
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Features

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Highlights

Garden by Sen no Rikyu, Loved by Hideyoshi

The 1-hectare grounds enclose Gunpoen, originally laid out in the late Muromachi period and redesigned by tea master Sen no Rikyu when Toyotomi Hideyoshi held his celebrated cherry-blossom party at Yoshino in 1594. It is counted as one of the Three Great Gardens of Yamato and is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Founded by Prince Shotoku

Tradition dates the temple's founding to Prince Shotoku in the late 6th century, making it one of the oldest sub-temples of Kinpusen-ji. The Goma-do enshrines a Nanboku-cho period seated statue of Prince Shotoku.

Yoshino's Highest-Ranking Shukubo Inn

Long beloved by literary pilgrims from Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Yosano Akiko, Chikurin-in operates today as a 41-room ryokan-style shukubo with kaiseki dinners using local Yoshino ingredients (signature "Rikyu-nabe" hotpot), an open-air bath looking onto Gunpoen, private bath rentals, and rooms with their own rotenburo.

About

Chikurin-in Gunpoen is a 41-room shukubo-ryokan on Yoshino-yama, traditionally said to have been founded in the late 6th century by Prince Shotoku as one of the sub-temples of Kinpusen-ji. The 1-hectare precinct contains "Gunpoen" โ€” a famed strolling garden originally laid out in the late Muromachi period and substantially redesigned by tea master Sen no Rikyu when Toyotomi Hideyoshi hosted his celebrated cherry-blossom viewing party at Yoshino in 1594. Counted among the Three Great Gardens of Yamato (alongside the gardens of Tonomine and Tsubosakadera), Gunpoen contains roughly fifty varieties of camellia, weeping cherry, maple and seasonal flowers. The Goma-do enshrines a Nanboku-cho period seated statue of Prince Shotoku. Over the centuries Chikurin-in has welcomed an extraordinary roster of literary pilgrims, from Hideyoshi himself to Matsuo Basho and Yosano Akiko. The ryokan today serves multi-course kaiseki featuring Yoshino mountain ingredients (the signature "Rikyu-nabe" hot pot is named for Sen no Rikyu), and offers an open-air communal bath looking directly onto Gunpoen, charged private baths, and selected guest rooms with their own private open-air baths. The site falls within the UNESCO World Heritage zone of "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" inscribed in 2004. Reservations are handled online and by phone (0746-32-8081); on-site service is in Japanese.

Details

Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
41 rooms
Yoshinoyama Station (Yoshino Ropeway) (20 min walk)
From $110 - $380/night

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions about Chikurin-in Gunpoen

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, communal or private baths, and multi-course kaiseki meals. Guests typically wear yukata (cotton robes) provided by the inn. A ryokan stay is one of the most authentic cultural experiences Japan has to offer.

Upon arrival, you'll be provided with a yukata (light cotton robe) and a pair of slippers. You can wear the yukata throughout the ryokan โ€” to dinner, to the onsen, and even for a stroll in the neighborhood. Indoor slippers should be removed before stepping on tatami mats.

Chikurin-in Gunpoen has limited English support. We recommend using a translation app or asking your hotel concierge to help with any pre-arrival communication. The staff is very welcoming and will do their best to assist.

Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00. If you arrive early, most ryokans can store your luggage while you explore the area. Late check-in may be possible โ€” contact the ryokan in advance to arrange.

Yes, Chikurin-in Gunpoen can prepare vegetarian meals. Japanese Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) is naturally plant-based and beautifully presented. Please inform the ryokan of your dietary requirements at least 2 days before arrival so the chef can prepare accordingly.

Yes, most ryokans including Chikurin-in Gunpoen offer luggage storage for guests arriving before check-in time. You can also use coin lockers at the nearest station or luggage delivery services (takkyubin) to send bags directly from the airport or previous hotel.

Yes, Chikurin-in Gunpoen provides complimentary WiFi throughout the property. Connection is available in guest rooms and common areas.

Yes, Chikurin-in Gunpoen accepts major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and JCB. Some ryokans may also accept American Express. It's always good to have some cash as a backup for small purchases.

The nearest station is Yoshinoyama Station (Yoshino Ropeway), approximately 20 minutes on foot. You can reach it by local train, subway, or taxi. The ryokan can provide detailed walking directions upon request.

You can book Chikurin-in Gunpoen through trusted platforms like Booking.com or Expedia. Click the "Check Prices" button on this page to check availability and rates. We recommend booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons (cherry blossom in March-April and autumn leaves in November).

temples.from$110 /temples.perNight