Mount Koya

Explore Mount Koya in your own way with a private licensed guide. Choose the 6 or 4-hour option depending on what fits with your schedule. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly. All guides hold the nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification. It is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good understanding of Japanese culture and history. Meet your guide at the station near Mount Koya. The first stop will be Daimon, Koya-san’s main gate. Admire the impressive gate painted in a bright crimson color, and the large statues of guardian gods. Continue to Konpon Daito pagoda to discover Buddhist pictures and murals. Next, head to the Kongobu-ji Temple. Admire the beautiful features and architecture of the complex, such as sliding screens, art adorning the spacious rooms, and the largest rock garden in Japan. Stop for a Shoujin Ryori lunch, and experience vegetarian Buddhist cuisine. Stop at Okuno-in, the most sacred place on Mt. Koya. To reach the shrine, walk over the Ichinohashi Bridge and follow the Sandō path. Explore the famous Toro-do Hall with its "unextinguishable" flame. The final stop will be the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. Important Notice : The access to the Okunoin Torodo (Lantern Hall) will be suspended due to the restoration work from November 18th 2024 to End of August 2025.

Experience the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Wakayama Prefecture and Mount Koya on a private, fully customizable 10-hour tour. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this tour allows you to explore at your own pace with a knowledgeable, English-speaking guide. Begin your day with convenient pick up service directly from your accommodation in Osaka. From there, travel comfortably in a private vehicle, ensuring a personalized and stress-free journey . Your first destination could be the majestic Mount Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. At Mount Koya, you can start with the impressive Daimon Gate, the iconic crimson-painted gateway guarded by towering statues . Continue to Konpon Daito, the central pagoda of Mount Koya, where you can admire its vivid Buddhist murals and serene atmosphere. Your guide will provide insights into the religious significance of this site, enhancing your understanding of Japan's spiritual traditions. Next, visit Kongobu_ji Temple, the head temple of the Shingon sect. Marvel at its exquisite architecture, delicate sliding screen paintings, and the largest rock garden in Japan. Pause to enjoy a traditional Shoujin Ryori lunch, type of vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, offering a taste of the region's culinary heritage . For a truly spiritual experience , head to Okuno-in, Mount Koya’s most sacred site. Cross the Ichinohashi Bridge and walk along the Sandō path lined with centuries-old cedar trees to reach the famous Toro-do Hall, home to the eternal flame. Visit the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the revered founder of Shingon Buddhism, and reflect in the tranquil surroundings. Your private tour is entirely customizable, so you can choose to visit other notable sites in Wakayama Prefecture or focus on exploring more of Mount Koya, depending on your interests. The day concludes with a comfortable return to your Osaka accommodation, leaving you with memories of a unique cultural journey through Japan.

Discover the enchanting sites of Wakayama on this customizable journey through history, spirituality, and natural beauty. Choose between two itinerary options, one focused on Wakayama and Mount Koya, and the other that includes a visit to the breathtaking Nachi Waterfall. Option 1: Without Nachi Waterfall Start your day exploring the historic 16th-century Wakayama Castle, with panoramic views and exhibits of samurai history and artifacts. Head to Mount Koya, a sacred Buddhist site, and visit the main temple of Shingon Buddhism, Kongobuji Temple, famed for its beautiful rock garden and serene halls. Dive into the history and art of the Shingon sect at the Mount Koya Museum. Wander the tranquil lantern-lit pathways of Japan’s largest cemetery, Okunoin Cemetery, honoring historical figures and monks. Conclude the day at the dramatic coastal cave of Sandanbeki Cave, with its storied pirate hideout and rugged cliffs. Option 2: With Nachi Waterfall Begin at Japan’s spiritual heart, Mount Koya, with its UNESCO-listed temples and peaceful landscapes. Delve into the practices of Shingon Buddhism at the main temple, Kongobuji Temple, with its beautiful traditional architecture. Explore unique exhibits highlighting the sacred art and history of Shingon Buddhism at the Mount Koya Museum. Discover the 176-year-old market in Mount Koya, a hidden gem with traditional crafts and local specialties. Walk along paths lined with centuries-old stone markers in Japan’s largest cemetery, Okunoin Cemetery. End the journey at Japan’s tallest single-tier waterfall, Nachi Waterfall. Surrounded by dense forest and the Nachi Taisha Shrine, this spectacular sight combines nature and spirituality.

Explore the pilgrimage site of Mt. Koya on a guided, private day tour. This small, secluded temple town is known as the center of Shingon Buddhism, a significant sect that was introduced to Japan in 805 A.D. by Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai. Marvel at the array of temples on your tour. Begin your tour at Koyasan Station, where you'll meet your guide. From there, head up to the wooded mountaintop and enter through the sacred gate of Daimon. Admire the structure, which reaches an impressive 21.5 meters in height. Continue onwards toward Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism. Kobo Daishi began construction on the original Garan temple complex in 826 A.D. In 1593, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this structure to commemorate the death of his mother; the temple was later merged with the Shingon sect. Venture further along the streets of temples to reach the temple Okunoin. This sacred place is the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Follow the quiet paths through the verdant forest and reflect on the spirituality of the historic temple grounds. . Lunch is not included. You can either prepare lunch before the tour or buy it during the tour.

Here is a quick summary about what we are going to walk and explore during these 8 hours. - Transportation We take the train from Osaka and arrive to Mount Koya, with the cable car. We can see all the region from the train, from the big city to the nature in the countryside, then climb the mountain with the cable car. - Daimon Gate Entrance Gate to Mount Koya and the Spirit World - Danjo Garan Shingon Buddhist Sect Main Worship place since the 9th century - Kongobu-ji Temple Temple founded at the end of the 16th century by the military dictator, Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Now, it serves as the Shingon headquarters. - Mausoleum of Tokugawa Family Mausoleum of Ieyasu and Hidetada Tokugawa, Japan important Shoguns and military dictators from the beginning of the 17th century. - Oku no in Famous and biggest Japanese cemetery, with 200,000 tombs of more or less famous families. At its end, helds the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. - Transportation We finish to visit Mount Koya at around 17:00. It is time for us to go down from the mountain by cable car and to go back to Osaka by train. We are sure you will like it and we are waiting for you!

Wakayama, Japan, entices visitors with its diverse attractions, including historic temples, pristine beaches, and scenic landscapes. From the sacred pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo to the tranquil beauty of Shirahama Beach and the cultural heritage of Wakayama Castle, whether exploring ancient sites, indulging in hot springs, or savoring local cuisine, Wakayama provides a memorable journey. You can fully customize your own itinerary in Wakayama or refer to our recommended route. If you want to customize your own tour, please select your most favorite attractions in Wakayama and share your other special requests with us. We will help you plan the route, draft an itinerary and make advanced reservations if necessary. REMARKS: You can always make change to the itinerary (Within Wakayama urban area) even while traveling on the vehicle, The tour is flexible to your own needs and goals. We provide departing from Osaka urban area. (Attention: we can only pick up customers live in urban areas.). We will contact you to confirm the tour details in advance. (For example: the number of passengers and the quantity of your luggage. The luggage defaults to 24 inches. And also the starting time of the day.) One day before the trip, you will receive the phone number of your driver for your convenience. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. We provide customer service, please feel free to contact us by email, WhatsApp, or phone. You can't select the drivers' nationality. We have drivers speaking English/Japanese/Chinese but they are arranged at random. The vehicles' pictures are for reference only, please refer to the actual situation for details. Please note that the schedule is for reference only, and the actual itinerary may change due to factors such as traffic, passenger flow and visit time. When confirming the itinerary with the driver, you can discuss and adjust it according to the specific situation.

Koyasan is one of the most influential centers of Buddhism in Japan. Its magnificent temples, vast buildings and rich Buddhist cultural activities have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, we will explore this sacred site of Japanese Buddhism with a history of more than 1,200 years. In the morning, our professional driver will pick you up at the door of your hotel to start your journey. We leave from Osaka/Kyoto and the drive will be about 2 hours. First, we will arrive at Koyasan Daimon Gate. Through the 25m height magnificent vermilion gates, you enter the mysterious realm of Koyasan; On either side, majestic wooden guardians stand guard over this ancient shrine. Once, the quiet place only open to men, after about 150 years of change, Koyasan is finally open to welcome every spiritual traveler, male or female. Stepping here, you will uncover the veil of history and experience a journey that transcends time and space. Climbing Koyasan, you are free to choose your next destination. You can choose to go to the total Koyasan Shingon Sect Main Temple Kongobu-ji, or you can choose to go to the Okuno-in of the Kobo Daishi (Kukai) , where countless nobles, celebrities and great samurai rest. On summer nights, you can see fireflies even flying squirrel. In addition, the Danjo Garan Sacred Temple and Koyasan Reihokan Museum are also great spots. Koyasan is also rich in Buddhist cultural activities, such as meditation, sutra copying, private guided tours by monks, and even the option to stay in one of the temples for long-term meditation. There is no need to rush your day trip, just relax and enjoy the good time in Koyasan. We will return to your hotel around evening. Our trip will also end here, and we hope you will have memories. If there are other places you would like to explore, we will be in touch after the booking.

【Meeting time】 Meeting at 8:45 AM, Departure at 9:00 AM (Duration: 3 hours) 【Meeting place】 Sennyu-ji Daimon Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0977 Daimon Gate→Yōkihi-kannon-do Hall ※ Experience burning incense while listening to a Buddhist monk's sutra. Participants of this tour have the special opportunity to write their wishes on special strips of paper, which will be presented to Yōkihi-kannon. →Buddhist Hall ※ Explanation of important cultural artifacts and the main deity. →Observe a ritual performed by the monks, a rarely seen ceremony, where they recite scriptures and perform worship. →Experience copying Buddhist scriptures at the Shariden (Unpublished Cultural Treasure). →Garden viewing →Tour concludes ※During the tour, you can learn about Esoteric Buddhism and Shingon Buddhism, unique aspects of Buddhism in Japan, as Sennyu-ji Temple is the only imperial family’s temple in Japan.All guided by a monk and a licensed interpreter guide.