Visit Wakayama

Koyasan is a religious settlement in the northeast of Wakayama Prefecture. It stretches across the mountains, surrounded by peaks around 1,000 m high, and developed over more than 1,200 years as it accumulated the faith and beliefs of many people. It lies in a basin that resembles a lotus petal, and is known as a place to beat the heat in summer, with soothing lush greenery. In winter, the landscape is dyed pure white with snow, creating an expanse of mysterious scenery that will make you feel that you have strayed into another world.

There are 117 temples standing in the Koyasan area. Of these, around 50 temples offer overnight accommodation and experiences of Buddhist practices such as meditation to tourists, catering to constant visitors looking for the extraordinary. Koyasan is also connected with a number of famous military commanders from the Sengoku period (Japan’s warring states period, from the middle of the 15th century to the start of the 17th century), including Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three samurai who unified Japan. Experience the teachings of Kobo Daishi and soothe your mind and body here.

Make your visit even more exciting by looking back at the history of Koyasan.

[The life of Kukai, Kobo Daishi]

Kukai was born in Kagawa Prefecture in 774. He left home at the age of 19, and traveled to China when he was 31. Astonishingly, he was chosen as the successor to the then-highest authority in Shingon Buddhism in just eight months. After returning to Japan at the age of 33, Kukai hoped to create a konpon dojo (central training hall) for Shingon Buddhism for the peace of the state, world peace, and practitioners of Buddhism. In 816, the Emperor gifted Koyasan to him, and he founded Kongobuji Temple. He spread Buddhist teachings across Japan, striving to save people who were struggling and suffering, and is said to have entered an eternal samadhi (meditation) in 835, aged 62.

[The age of the samurai/the Sengoku period (16th century) to the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries)]

Although various temples of Koyasan developed as they accepted worshippers, the settlement became embroiled in the fighting in Japan and temporarily declined. It later regained its prosperity thanks to the deep faith of the Tokugawa family, the authority who founded the shogunate in Edo. As a result, Koyasan is the location of a large number of graves connected with the Tokugawa family.

[The Meiji period (19th to 20th centuries) to the present-day]

Although the settlement temporarily declined due to a massive fire, it was slowly rebuilt thanks to the lifting of the restrictions on women and the creation of transport infrastructure. It was later registered as World Heritage in 2004 following a tourism boom within Japan. Today, it attracts attention in Japan and overseas as a religious settlement in the sky.

Koyasan is registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." This sacred site surrounded by the wonderful natural world of a steep mountain district is greatly valued for its cultural scenery.

There are three unmissable places on the mountains: the Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex, with a beautiful vermillion stupa and gate; Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, with its row of solemn buildings; and Okuno-in, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, with a 2 km-long approach.

Visitors generally travel around Koyasan by bus or on foot. It takes around half a day to visit the main highlights, but if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the religious views and culture here, we recommend staying in the shukubo temple lodgings and joining in Buddhist practice experiences.

World Heritage sites on a mountain: Experience the quintessence of Esoteric Buddhism

Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex, Kongobuji Temple, and Okuno-in are on the main pilgrimage route around Koyasan’s temples. Find historic remains and religious culture wherever you look, and experience Shingon Esoteric Buddhism for yourself.

・What are shukubo temple lodgings?

These were originally facilities for monks and visiting worshippers, but now over 50 temples in Koyasan welcome tourists. There are various facilities available, with different histories and features, including temples where you can enjoy beautiful gardens and art on fusuma sliding doors. Try and find a shukubo lodging perfect for you.

・The charms of a shukubo stay

The greatest charm of staying in a shukubo lodging is experiencing living traditions, culture, and religious beliefs for yourself. The Buddhist practices that take place in tranquility, such as sutra copying and meditation, are wonderful for rediscovering yourself.

You can also savor colorful seasonal tastes through the vegetarian cuisine, made entirely of plants with no animal ingredients.

・How to book a shukubo temple lodging

You can book a shukubo lodging based on your preferred criteria by phone or using an online form. Some temples let you book directly, while others offer accommodation plans on general travel booking sites. 

・Etiquette during your shukubo experience and how to spend your time

The main premise of a shukubo stay is that you are in a temple rather than a facility for tourists. Don’t forget to show respect and courtesy for the services and monks. Make sure you check curfews, bathing times, and points to note when you arrive.

・General schedule

Check-in: Around 3 pm / Check-out: around 9 am

Lights out: Around 10 pm / Wake up: Around 6 am

*This will vary depending on the temple

Koyasan offers an abundance of delights to eat, in addition to the vegetarian dishes offered in the shukubo temple lodgings. We recommend you try Koyasan’s specialty goma dofu, a tofu-like dish made with ground sesame paste; kamameshi (a rice dish traditionally cooked in an iron pot called a kama) made with local wild plants; and 100% buckwheat juwari soba handmade with Koyasan’s pure water.

There is also a café famous for its confections, perfect for a break, at the foot of the mountain. Savor a trip where you can relax and lose yourself in thought in an extraordinary space surrounded by a vast natural world.

This section introduces the items and shops we recommend for souvenirs to remember your visit to Koyasan, and to give to your loved ones

Yakimochi (grilled rice cakes) are a specialty of Koyasan. A soft, thin layer of mochi rice cake is filled with azuki bean paste, and these confections are characterized by their moderately sweet, tender taste. You should also try their peculiar steamed manju buns, known as “sasamaki anpu.” These are made by coating azuki bean paste with mugwort mixed with namafu (wheat gluten and mochi rice flour) and wrapping it in a leaf of kumazasa bamboo. Koyasan’s lovely monaka (azuki bean paste between two thin mochi wafers) and goma dofu, born from its vegetarian cuisine, are perfect as souvenirs too! If you’re looking for more miscellaneous or prayer-related items, standard omamori charms are available; prayer beads made using power stones and incense are also popular. Children adore gifts modeled on Koyasan’s regional mascot, Koya-kun.

Tourism in Koyasan peaks in the fall, as this area is famous for its autumn leaves, but there are various events throughout the year. Make sure you check the latest information when you are planning your visit so you don’t miss any important sights.

Okuno-in hosts rituals in which you can participate regardless of your visiting schedule. Twice each day, at 6 in the morning and at 10:30, a ceremony known as Shojinku is held, during which a meal is delivered to Kukai, Kobo Daishi, in his mausoleum. General visitors to the temple can watch this. Aozora Meiso (“blue sky meditation”) and the Otaiya Night Walk take place on the 20th of each month, with the Hoon Koyaichi market and the Ojuzukuri prayer session on the 21st. You should definitely join these if they fit your schedule.

[What are the Koya pilgrimage trails?]

These are pilgrimage trails that lead visitors on foot around Koyasan, a sacred site of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, to ascend the mountain and visit its various deities. There are seven main trails, known as the Koya Nana-kuchi, or the Seven Entrances to Koyasan.

[Main pilgrimage routes around Koyasan]

・Choishi-michi: Among the pilgrimage trails to the Koyasan Okuno-in Mausoleum, this path, cleared by Kukai, later became the most-used and the main route. It starts in Jisonin Temple in Kudoyama Town.

・Nyonin Michi (Women’s Pilgrimage Route): This route was created for women, who weren’t permitted to enter the grounds of Koyasan. It takes you around the three peaks of Koya, Mt. Mani, Mt. Yoryu, and Mt. Tenjiku, which soar behind Okuno-in.

・Kuroko Michi: In the Edo period (1603–1868), this was the shortest route to Koya from Hashimoto, then a major hub for transport. There is even a record of Toyotomi Hideyoshi using it. This route is for experienced hikers, as it has a number of challenging sections on its long and steep trail.

[How to walk Koyasan’s pilgrimage trails]

・Clothes you can easily move in: Trekking shoes are the best thing to wear on your feet. Make sure you take proper measures against sunburn and heatstroke, such as wearing a hat.

・Be careful of the temperature: Koyasan experiences lower temperatures than the plains, and the temperatures dip suddenly in the mornings and evenings in particular, so be prepared. The sun also sets early, so don’t set yourself an unreasonable schedule.

・Mind your manners: As a general rule, people going up a mountain trail have priority over those going down the trail. Make sure you take all your trash home with you.

[Osaka to Koyasan: Approximately 2 hours 20 mins, including time to change trains]

Shin-Osaka – take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line for approx. 20 mins – Namba – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koya Line for approx. 90 mins – Gokurakubashi – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Cable Car for approx. 5 mins – Koyasan

[Kyoto to Koyasan: Approximately 3 hours, including time to change trains]

Kyoto – take the JR Tokaido Sanyo main line for approx. 30 mins – Osaka – take the Osaka Loop Line for approx. 16 mins – Shin-Imamiya – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koya Line for approx. 90 mins (change at Hashimoto Station for a train to Gokurakubashi)– Gokurakubashi – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Cable Car for approx. 5 mins – Koyasan

[Nara to Koyasan: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including time to change trains] 

Nara – take the JR Yamatoji Line for approx. 40 mins – Shin-Imamiya – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koya Line for approx. 90 mins (change at Hashimoto Station for a train to Gokurakubashi)– Gokurakubashi – take the Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Cable Car for approx. 5 mins – Koyasan

If you’ve come all the way to Koyasan, why not extend your stay for another night and enjoy some of the nearby highlights?