overview
Mount Koya is a sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai during the Heian period, and is a religious city with temples, lodgings, and graveyards spread across the mountain. Characterized by a tranquil landscape where nature and history are in harmony with each season, you can enjoy worship, religious training experiences, and touring cultural assets.
Highlights
- Okunoin Shrine's mausoleum and memorial towers for successive warlords
- Danjogaran and Kongobu-ji Temple gardens and sliding screen paintings
- Buddhist cuisine at a temple lodging, sutra copying and religious practice experience
access
Take the Nankai Electric Railway's express train from Namba Station to Koyasan to Gokurakubashi, then take the cable car to the top of the mountain (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours). By car, it takes about 2 hours via the Hanwa Expressway and Keihanawa Expressway, but be careful of road conditions in winter.
Estimated stay
The recommended stay is one to two nights. If you stay at a temple lodging, you can experience early morning religious services, vegetarian cuisine for breakfast, and even stroll around the temple grounds at night.
Nearby spots
- Nyutsuhime Shrine (Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture)
- Wakayama Castle (Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture)
Points to note
Please be quiet when worshipping and observe temple etiquette. In winter, snow and ice can make travel difficult, so please dress warmly and check traffic information. Morning and evening events at the temple lodgings must be held punctually.
