Mount HieiTwelve centuries ago, Saicho, a young monk in search of a place for spiritual practice, ascended this mountain, which overlooks the townscape of Heian-kyo and the gentle ripples of Lake Biwa.At this temple dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (the Buddha of Healing and Medicine), monks guided by the Maka Shikan (a comprehensive treatise on meditation theory brought from the Asian mainland) once engaged in rigorous, day-and-night spiritual discipline.On this very mountain, immerse yourself in Eastern sensibilities and experience 'yojo' self-care and well-being to liberate your mind and body.
On March 31, 2027, THE THOUSAND HIEI—Mui no Okuyama, an Eastern-style retreat featuring 33 guest rooms, opens on the ridges of Mount Hiei.
Wellness ExperienceSHIKAN(Stillness and Insight)
For 1,200 years, Mount Hiei has served as a place of spiritual practice dedicated to the pursuit of 'mui' idleness, or a state of enlightenment free from artifice and attachment.Central to this tradition is the practice of 'shikan' stillness and insight.'Shi' stillness involves calming the movements of the mind, while 'kan' insight entails observing things exactly as they are.Step back from the frantic pace of daily life, tame your inner turbulence, and turn your attention to the present. By noticing subtle, often-overlooked shifts in your body and mind and recognizing the richness of what lies before you, you can reclaim your innate, authentic senses.At Mui no Okuyama, we invite you to mindfully savor every aspect of your stay: eating, enjoying refreshments, caring for your body, and embracing stillness.Surrender to the profound, tranquil nature of the deep mountains, and spend your time in a state of serene repose.
For 1,200 years, Mount Hiei has served as a place of spiritual practice dedicated to the pursuit of 'mui' idleness, or a state of enlightenment free from artifice and attachment.Central to this tradition is the practice of 'shikan' stillness and insight.'Shi' stillness involves calming the movements of the mind, while 'kan' insight entails observing things exactly as they are.
Step back from the frantic pace of daily life, tame your inner turbulence, and turn your attention to the present. By noticing subtle, often-overlooked shifts in your body and mind and recognizing the richness of what lies before you, you can reclaim your innate, authentic senses.At Mui no Okuyama, we invite you to mindfully savor every aspect of your stay: eating, enjoying refreshments, caring for your body, and embracing stillness.Surrender to the profound, tranquil nature of the deep mountains, and spend your time in a state of serene repose.
Experience
Garden of Water
Drift in Water
At the water garden that merges seamlessly with the scenery of Mount Hiei, yield to the water and the surrounding landscape from summer through winter. Immerse your entire being in the ultra-soft Sacred Waters of Hie while gazing out at the atmosphere of Mount Hiei, and simply drift.
HO-MARestaurant
Savor the Local Terroir
Our dishes are crafted using ingredients nurtured by the nature of Mount Hiei and sourced primarily from Kyoto and Shiga, incorporating the wisdom of fermentation and the primal heat of wood fires and charcoal. Focus on the evolving textures and flavors as you savor each delicious bite to awaken your senses and nourish your body. Experience a form of 'shoku-yojo' culinary wellness in which the very act of eating restores balance to both mind and body.
Bar
Appreciate Botanical Essences
The fragrances of plants that thrive on the mountain are captured within a single glass. Herbal liqueurs and craft spirits that highlight the unique character of various botanicals are on offer, alongside a selection of drinks infused with nature's bounties. From the aroma rising from your glass to the flavors unfolding on your palate and the lingering finish, immerse yourself in each sensory detail as you quietly unwind here in Hiei.
Wellness Area
Nurture Life
From stone-bed bathing to warm your body to the core, to acupuncture and moxibustion that stimulate your body's natural circulation, and oil treatments that harness the soothing warmth of human touch, we offer a diverse range of wellness experiences rooted in the time-honored wisdom of the East. Beyond providing external comfort, turn your attention inward to restore your body and mind to a natural, balanced state.
Site
At Mui no Okuyama, we offer a wide range of wellness experiences that invite you to quiet your mind, encounter the philosophy of shikan, and spend your time as you wish.
A
Garden of Water
B
Garden of Fire
C
Restaurant
D
Tea counter
E
Herbal Laboratory
F
Bar
G
Thermal Stone Bed
H
Darkness Retreat
I
Wellbeing Sanctuary
J
Acupuncture & Moxibustion
K
Treatment Salon
Room
Suite Room
Room Size: 74-97㎡ / Capacity: 1-4 people
Spaciously designed for a truly special stay, this room which incorporates a traditional Japanese earthen-floored 'doma' entrance, veranda-like 'engawa' corridor, and coffered 'gontenjo' ceiling, features large windows that fill the space with natural light.
Premier Maisonette Twin
Room Size: 131㎡ / Capacity: 1-4 people
The living area is located on the first floor, while the bathroom is on the second floor; bedrooms are appointed on both floors. Loosely separating the spaces for activity and rest allows you to fully savor your stay.
Premier Corner Twin / Premier Corner King
Room Size: 62㎡ / Capacity: 1-2 people
A spacious room furnished with two Shigaraki ware bathtubs. Enjoy the view from the window and sink into the sofa. Spend your time exactly as you wish, at your own pace.
Superior Twin / Deluxe King
Room Size: 31㎡ / Capacity: 1-2 people
In this room that brings you close to the natural beauty of Mount Hiei, relax in a Shigaraki-ware bathtub while taking in the scenery outside your window, the perfect setting for quiet moments of reading and reflection.