Shorin’an
Shorin’an is the former home of successive generations of samurai who were tasked with serving and protecting the priests of Ninnaji in the late Edo period (1603–1868). It was donated to the temple in 1937 by descendants of the family and was moved several times before this location was settled on. The architecture of the renovated building evokes a sense of playfulness. The variably sized rooms of the two-story structure feature artistic decor, low doorways, and surprising angles. The peculiar style stands out on the second floor, which includes a small exhibition room and an equally petite tea room, which can be entered by crossing a miniature bridge that overlooks the central staircase. Behind the building is a small garden, which is designed to be admired from the living room on the first floor by opening the sliding shoji panels. One may also take in the view while sitting on the veranda that opens onto the garden. The garden was constructed as part of renovation work to the property before it opened as luxury temple lodgings in 2018. Groups of up to five can stay the night here for a fee of ¥1 million as part of a private tour of Ninnaji.