The Top Things to do in Koyasan Japan

Koyasan Mountain (Mount Koya) is considered a sacred place in the Wakayama prefecture (district) in the Kansai region.  It is the headquarters of Shingon buddhism with more than 100 temples dotting the peaks of Mount Koya.  It is a huge pilgrimage site with many pilgrims visiting the shrines and temples annually.

Mount Koya is UNESCO world heritage site as a “Sacred Site & Pilgrimage Route”.  It is located high in the mountains at 800 metres above sea level and is easy to visit from Osaka.

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I flew in from China and arrived in Osaka early evening, just in time to go out for dinner.  What a culture shock from the hustle and bustle of china to such friendly and polite people.

The first day of my Japan Itinerary, I was up early and headed to Koyasan.  It’s only a couple of hours from Osaka and easy to get to.  You get the subway to Namba station and then transfer to the Nankai Koya Line and get a direct train to Gokurakubashi or get an express train and change at Hashimoto station.

Take the Gokurakubashi Cable Car

Once you arrive at Gokurakubashi station then you transfer to the cable car which takes you up the mountain a distance of 0.8km but 328 metres in height in 5 minutes to Koyasan bus station.  This is the only method of public transport to get to the mountain.  Once you arrive at the top after having enjoyed the views you can take the bus into the centre of Koyasan and to the temples.

I was looking forward to visiting Koyasan and had added into my Japan Itinerary as the pictures I had seen beforehand were beautiful, just how you imagine Japan to be.  It is a very sacred site specific to the Shingon school of Buddhism and attracts huge numbers of pilgrims and tourists a year.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is a beautiful place and feels so peaceful.  It was always very quiet.  If you have time for a few days or a day trip from Osaka, then it is well worth the visit.  The town is amazing to walk around as there are lots of beautiful temples.

Stay in a Buddhist Temple (Shukubo)

I went to my Koyasan Shukubo.  Originally the Shukubo’s were simple sleeping quarters for the monks and at point there were over 1800 of these temples in Koyasan.  Over the years though many have been destroyed by lightening strikes and fires and there are only 117 of these left.  52 of these provide accommodation for those wanting to experience staying in a Shukubo while in Koyasan.

The room you stay in is quite basic and you sleep on a mattress on the floor, have a cold vegetarian meal and get woken in the morning around 5.30am to attend the prayer ceremony.  This was a great experience and worth staying in this spiritual place.

The rooms though were amazing and beautifully decorated and we had to go down to the communal bathing area before putting on our kimono’s and heading for dinner.

Try a traditional Shojin Ryori Meal (Monks vegetarian meal)

In the evening in our Shukubo we dressed in traditional clothes and went down for dinner.  We had a traditional monks vegetarian meal.  The dinner was cold but very enjoyable.  We also had the same meal for breakfast the next day.

Visit Kongobuji Temple

I then went to explore the town.  I stopped first at Kongobuji Temple, the original temple was built in 1593 and rebuilt in 1863, it is the headquarters of Koyasan Shingon-Shu Buddhism.  It is a beautiful place with sliding doors painted by well known artists and Banryutei Rock Garden, the largest rock garden in Japan.  It’s a very impressive building.

Dai Garan Temple Complex

I then walked up to the main complex Danjo Garan, meaning great quiet and secluded place, for Buddhist monks to gather and practice. It was one of the first complexes built by Kobo Daishi in around 816.  There are around 20 buildings on the site but the 2 most important are Konpon Daito and Kondo Hall.  Most have been rebuilt though due to lightening strikes and fires.

The Dai Garan complex is open all the time every day so you can choose to visit when you want.  It is only if you want to see the inside of the temples that you will need to visit during the day.

Konpon Daito Pagoda

The first place I visited was Konpon Daito – originally built in 887 and rebuilt many times due to 5 lightning strikes.  It is about 50 metres high and the most impressive building on the site.  It is open from 8.30am to 5pm every day and costs 200 Yen to enter.

Kondo Hall

I also visited the Kondo Hall which is the main pavilion and where many religious rituals and ceremonies are held.  It was originally built in 819 and was last rebuilt in the 1930’s. It is open from 8.30am to 5pm every day and costs 200 Yen to enter.

Okunoin Cemetery

After dinner and after dark I visited Okunoin, it is a huge graveyard with more than 200,000 grave stones.  Some of them huge and very impressive depending on the wealth of the family.  Supposedly there are no dead in Okunoin but just waiting spirits.

Kobo Dashi Mausoleum

Kobo Dashi was the founder of Mount Koya.  He lived between 774 and 835 and spent 19 years living and teaching in Koyasan.  Okunoin temple is where his mausoleum is and every day food is brought to his door in the support of his effort, as it is believed that he is not dead but has been meditating without a breath since 835.

Torodo Hall (Hall of Lamps)

I walked the 2km path to Torodo Hall, the lantern temple.  It houses hundreds of lanterns, with supposedly some of them having been burning for the past 900 years.  It is located in front of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum and is the main place for worship.

It was beautiful and all lit up and as I arrived there was a ceremony just finishing and all the monks came out and walked down the path, it was an impressive site.

The next day I was up early again to make my way back to Osaka and head to Hiroshima before ending the trip in Toyko.

I loved Koyasan and seeing such an old and traditional part of Japan.

Where to stay in Koyasan – Koyasan Temple Stay Japan

If you want to experience staying in a Shukubo during your stay in Koyasan, then check out these great choices.

Shukubo Koya-San Eko-In Temple – Stay in this 1,000 year old buddhist temple, experience a buddhist morning service, goma fire ritual and meditation.  Breakfast and dinner is included.  Click here for more information and prices.

Jokiin, Koyasan – Stay in this pilgrims inn in Koyasan, participate in a prayer ceremony and morning ceremony.  Breakfast and dinner is included.  Click here for more information and prices.

Sekishoin, Koyasan – Stay in this 1,100 year old temple in Koyasan and experience a buddhist morning ceremony.  Breakfast and dinner is included.  Click here for more information and prices.

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