Koyasan, also known as Mount Koya, is a sacred mountain in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. It’s renowned as one of the most important centres of Shingon Buddhism, a major school of Japanese Buddhism founded by the monk Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, in the early 9th century. In 2004, Koyasan was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance and its well-preserved religious architecture.
Koyasan is considered one of Japan’s holiest sites and a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. It’s a place where practitioners of the Buddhist faith seek enlightenment, engage in meditation, and pay homage to Kobo Daishi, who is believed to be still meditating to this day in Okunoin, the sacred cemetery of Koyasan.
While this is a site with a deep religious connection, you don’t have to be Buddhist to love the town. With a rich cultural history everywhere you look, and with an open mind to exploring ancient Japan, Koyasan promises to deliver a one of a kind, authentic experience.
This sacred mountain town has a rich history dating back over 1,200 years. It was established in 816 by Kukai as a center for Shingon Buddhism. Over the centuries, it has grown into a sprawling complex of temples, pagodas, and other religious structures.
The heart of Koyasan is the Danjo Garan, a complex of temples and halls where monks and pilgrims gather for worship and study. It includes the Konpon Daito, a pagoda that symbolizes the central point of the Buddhist universe, and the Kondo, or Golden Hall, which houses sacred relics and images.
Okunoin is the largest cemetery in Japan and a deeply revered site. It’s where Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum, known as the Gobyakugan Mausoleum, is located. The path leading to the mausoleum is lined with thousands of towering cedar trees and stone lanterns, creating a serene and mystical atmosphere.
Due to the remote nature of Koyasan, being tucked away in the mountains of Wakayama prefecture, there is often an overwhelming sense of sereneness unmatched by anywhere else in Japan. Far from the hustle and bustle of Osaka and Tokyo, Koyasan is remarkably quiet—especially noticeable when walking through Okunoin Cemetery in the early and late hours. On days with little to no wind, the forest surrounding the Okunoin Cemetery is eerily quiet, creating a rather creepy atmosphere, considering you are surrounded by thousands of gravestones.
Accessing Koyasan
Koyasan is located near the northern borders of Wakayama prefecture. It is a little difficult to access due to its location. Train services do not run through this peaceful town, so if you are starting in Wakayama city, you will need to take a couple of train lines to Gokurabashi station, and board a cable car from there which will take you to Koyasan station, from there you will need to board a bus to get to the main town center as the station is a couple of kilometers away from the town and walking from Koyasan station to the center of town is illegal.
Buses will only cost 290yen to get to Senjuinbashi bus stop, from there you can explore Koyasan
Trains run here directly from Osaka on a couple of services, a limited express line, which will cost 1650yen and that will take you to Gokurabashi station. Or for just over half the price (870yen) ,you can take an express/rapid express train, taking twenty minutes longer, and you will need to transfer at Hashimoto station, you will arrive at Gokurabashi station, where you will then need to board a cable car, which costs 390yen, and then you will finally arrive at Koyasan station where you will board your bus.
Where to stay
Visitors to the town can experience temple lodging, known as shukubo, where they can participate in morning prayers and enjoy vegetarian meals prepared by monks. Pilgrims often spend several days exploring the temples and hiking trails that crisscross the mountain.
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