Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan｜カフェテラス回向院

A stylish cafe in a temple with a good atmosphere. It's a shame that it's only coffee and herbal tea after corona, but I'm grateful that it's free to refill. Nasu Imperial Villa's cheesecake used to be tempting. I would like you to put Ichikawa's famous sweets (since room temperature products are fine) or resume sweets. The gravel garden in front and the bamboo grove on the side make you feel like you've visited Oku-Kyoto. In the quiet atmosphere surrounded by the forest, it feels fresh to see sutra copying and praying at the gorgeous main shrine (like a Disney attraction). In the hot summer, I feel like I'm traveling while staying in my hometown.

Our website has been closed for a while due to the coronavirus situation, but we have resumed operations. However, the office will be closed if there is a memorial service or legal matter, so please call ahead to confirm. The cafe is located on the 2nd floor of the modern Japanese main hall, and you can go upstairs after praying on the 1st floor. The bamboo grove and beautiful garden spread out beyond the windows of the large hall, giving you a sense of calm. When I visited, the chief priest made me some hand-drip coffee and I was able to hear many stories. Depending on the time of day, you can hear the sutras, which is also very pleasant. Next time I would like to visit with plenty of time to spare. There used to be a food menu, but now there are only two types: hot coffee (500 yen) and herbal tea. There seems to be no plans for the hoods to meet again. Last order was at 15:30 and the restaurant was closed at 16:00 because the monks were on duty. Google Maps says the entrance is the back door, but the main gate is next to the traffic light near Karaage Honpo on the Matsudo Kaido side. The nearby Junsai Pond was also very nice, so if you have time, we recommend taking a walk along with it.

Visited in July 2019. It was before the end of the rainy season, but the temple in the rain is also nice. I saw Amida Buddha in the main hall on the 1st floor, and received two types of goshuin (handwritten). Go up to the second floor and go to the cafe. I had a cup of coffee while looking at the beautiful garden. The store clerk (staff) at the cafe is very friendly and likes to talk, and before you know it, an hour goes by in the blink of an eye. Here you can also copy sutras for ¥500, so it's good to drink coffee and copy sutras with a blank mind! The parking lot can accommodate 30 cars next to the entrance, so if you don't have a lot of things to do, you'll be fine.