Shukubo
/ˈʃuːkuːboʊ/noun
Lodging provided by a Buddhist temple, traditionally for pilgrims and other visitors.
Did you know?Many shukubo preserve the tradition of offering guests Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and access to morning prayers or meditation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Classical Chinese
宿坊
“Lodging or quarters associated with a religious establishment; 宿 meant lodging, while 坊 referred to a quarter, ward, or building.”
Medieval China
Chinese Buddhist usage
宿坊
“Guest quarters connected with Buddhist temples and pilgrimage sites.”
Nara–Heian Period
Japanese
しゅくぼう / 宿坊
“Temple lodging used by monks, pilgrims, and religious travelers.”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
宿坊
“Residential quarters at temples or shrines, increasingly important along pilgrimage routes.”
20th Century
English loanword
shukubo
“A Buddhist-temple lodging house, especially one open to pilgrims and travelers.”
Modern English
English
shukubo
“Accommodation in or operated by a Japanese Buddhist temple.”