Activities
National Treasure Morning Walk —Wake-up Mandala Maru Morning Stretch—
- Availability:
- Full yearThis activity may be cancelled or changed due to special events at Toji Temple.
During this activity, you can wake up your body while taking a walk around the national treasures of Toji Temple. In the lush green grounds in front of the five-story pagoda and the main temple building, both national treasures, participants will stretch out their bodies in the fresh morning air. In addition to breathing exercises, the morning stretch includes movements incorporating the round "Maru"-shape represented by the mandala. The strech is followed by a visit to the Miedo, another national treasure, to see the statue of Kobo Daishi Kukai, which is open to the public only at a certain time in the morning. On the way home, you can also enjoy freshly pounded rice cakes at "Toji Mochi", located right next to Toji Temple.
National Treasure Morning Walk —Meet Kukai in the Morning—
- Availability:
- All yearThis tour may be cancelled or changed due to special events at Toji Temple.
Witness the Shojinku, a memorial service ritual of offering food to the Kobo Daishi Kukai that has continued at Toji Temple for 1200 years. Hear the morning gong calling, choose your favorite prayer beads, and head out for a special morning visit. After the memorial service, you might also want to visit the unique power spots of Toji Temple. On the way back from Toji Temple, you can buy some Toji Mochi, a famous fluffy rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste, as a snack to fill both your heart and stomach.
Toji Temple Mandala Walk
- Availability:
- All year
Explore the Toji Temple with a focus on the three-dimensional mandala that continues to convey the thoughts of Kobo Daishi to this day.One of our neighborhood guide OMO rangers will provide playful and 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.
Kyoto Goshuin Journey in Fushimi
- Availability:
- All year
With this activity you can explore Fushimi, one of the most famous sake production areas in Japan, by yourself with a "Sake Stamp Book," a log of your journey to find some original sakes with the OMO logo. After returning to OMO3Kyoto Toji, you can also enjoy the sake together with some food purchased at the Food & Drink Station.
Public bath tickets & goods
- Availability:
- All year
Would you like to relax in a retro 'public bath' in Kyoto? Sento Ofuro Tickets & Goods" are available for use at Hinodeyu, a retro Showa-era sento (public bath) just around the corner from our hotel.
Click here for more information on sentu tickets and goods.
Dry Landscape Garden (Karesansui)
- Availability:
- All year
Karesansui, often seen in temple gardens in Kyoto, expresses the flavor of landscape with stones, sand, plants, and trees. By drawing patterns and creating a flow, 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, we leave it up to the guests! We provide a sand table, tools to draw patterns, and seasonal flowers and plants so you can make it your own.
This is an activity to prepare your mind through the time you spend immersed in the creation of your own small personal garden.
Tracing Sutra Table
- Availability:
- All year
Inspired by Kobo-Daishi Kukai, who was a master calligrapher, the "Tracing Sutra Table" offers visitors 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 it as many times as you like with no fear of making mistakes.
Floating Brush Scripture
- Availability:
- All year
We also have sutra writing paper with a brush 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. It is a pleasant and mind-altering experience for a casual trip. I want to start in earnest! If you are interested, you can go to To-ji Temple and try your hand at authentic Shakyo.
Mandala art and Smiling wall
- Availability:
- All year
As you step into the entrance, you will be greeted by "Mandala Art" based on the theme of Toji Temple's three-dimensional mandala which is formed by 21 Buddhist statues. This piece was designed with great attention to detail so that the visitors can familiarize themselves with the Buddhist statues of Toji Temple.
Smiling wall, this original artwork uses light and shadow to portray the expression and softness of the Buddha's gentle, smiling face. Should you spot this Buddha, please come up close to him.
Healing time in your room
- Availability:
- All year
We have prepared a variety of items to make your stay more relaxing even when you are sleeping in your room.
Items you can use freely (free of charge):
・Smoke-free incense diffuser
・Mist to use on your luggage or bed
・Pillow paper, which is said to bring you wonderful dreams if you place it under your pillow
・Library books
Available for rent at the OMO Base:
・Loungewear
Available at OMO Base:
We recommend Kyo-bancha tea. It is said that monks take decaffeinated tea so as not to strain their bodies during ascetic practices. We also offer a wide variety of tea leaves such as hojicha and sencha to take a break, and food items recommended for a short rest. Bath salts and cosmetic amenities (cleanser, facial cleansing foam, toner, moisturizing gel)
Hands-free travel with "carry service"
- Availability:
- All year
We offer convenient and economical carry services to help you enjoy your trip with ease. Not only between Kyoto and Osaka stations, but also between OMO's three facilities in the distinct Toji, Sanjo and Gion areas of Kyoto, you can leave large luggage and travel with ease.
Not only can you stay in one hotel and experience each area in depth, but you can also enjoy the whole of Kyoto on a ladder tour of OMO's multiple hotels in Kyoto as a major base for sightseeing in the city.
OMO Work Room
- Availability:
- Year-round from May 1st, 2022 (reservations available up to 90 days in advance)
Our hotel has private rooms that you can use without worrying about others around you, as well as a Work Room, which is well-equipped with amenities that will allow you to get your work done. Regardless if you are arriving at our hotel a little early to take part in an hour-long remote meeting before check-in, or if you wish to work in a quiet environment after check-out while waiting for your train or flight home, you can make use of the room to work at your travel destination.