#koyasan

Koyasan is one of Japan's significant cultural and religious tourist destinations, located in Wakayama Prefecture. It is the center of Shingon Buddhism and has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the 'Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes.' Highlights of Koyasan 1. Kongobuji Temple • The main temple of Shingon Buddhism • Home to the largest rock garden in Japan 2. Okunoin Cemetery • A large cemetery surrounded by cedar forests • The resting place of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism 3. Danjo Garan Complex • The center of religious practice in Koyasan • Features the red 'Konpon Daito Pagoda,' a symbol of the area 4. Temple Lodging (Shukubo) • Visitors can stay overnight at temples in Koyasan • Enjoy traditional Japanese vegetarian meals (Shojin Ryori) and participate in morning prayers 5. Koyasan Choishi Michi Pilgrimage Route • A historic 24-kilometer walking route with stone markers every 109 meters Getting to Koyasan 1. From Osaka: • Start at Namba Station • Take the Nankai Koya Line to Gokurakubashi Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes) • From Gokurakubashi Station: • Take the Cable Car to Koyasan Station (about 5 minutes) • From Koyasan Station: • Take a local bus to reach various temples and tourist spots 2. Recommended Pass: • Koyasan World Heritage Ticket • Covers round-trip travel from Osaka and bus usage in Koyasan Best Times to Visit • Autumn Leaves (late October - November): Trees around Koyasan turn beautiful red and yellow • Winter: Snow-covered scenery offers a serene atmosphere • Spring (April): Cherry blossom season Visiting Tips • Wear comfortable walking shoes, as Okunoin Cemetery and various routes require considerable walking • Stay overnight at a temple to experience Buddhism up close • Don't miss the nighttime illumination at Okunoin, which provides a mysterious and peaceful ambiance

Koyasan [Mount Koya, 高野山] is one of the World Heritage Sites on the Kii Mountain Range of Japan. It is considered to be the spiritual heart of Japan. Koyasan is a sacred Buddhist site that was established by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) [空海,弘法大師)] in the 9th century. Many people visiting Kansai region may miss this place but worth visiting. Journey up to Koyasan is easy. Just go to Namba Station, buy a Nankai Koya Line discount ticket cost JPY3,540; which includes train from Osaka Namba Station to Gokurakubashi Station, Cable Car to Koyasan Station, 2 days unlimited ride on bus in Koyasan and return cable car and train back to Namba Station. Key Areas to Walking around Koyasan 1. Daimon Gate (Serving as Koyasan’s main entrance, the Great Gate is a spectacle of design standing nearly 25m tall. The Daimon Gate is the first structure visitors coming up the pilgrimage route see when arriving in Koyasan.) 2. Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex (One of the two sacred sites in Koyasan. The Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex was founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) when he returned to Japan from China as a place where Buddhist monks could peacefully study his newly found Shingon Esoteric sect of Buddhism. Kondo the central hall of Koyasan, Konpon Daito where enshrines a statue of Dainichi Nyorai (Buddha Mahavairocana) as the main statue.) 3. Kongobuji Head Temple (Koyasan’s head temple. Kongobuji also refers to the entirety of the Koyasan area. It is the main temple for around 4,000 branch temples of the Shingon Esoteric sect of Buddhism.) 4. Okunoin (Koyasan’s most sacred site. Okunoin cemetery is the largest cemetery in Japan stretching 2km long with over 200,000 tombstones. Okunoin is the location of Kobo Daishi Kukai’s Mausoleum, where it is said he still remains today in eternal prayer.) Koyasan maybe not a too heavily-visited area but it’s worth a trip if you are near Osaka and like temples and nature and some quiet time. #koyasan #高野山 #osaka #japan #travel

#japantrip Koyasan, A world heritage sites & head temple of Shingon Buddhism. You can reach here by using Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass (buy at trip.com) only cause you 2000yen and you can use it to transfer to airport as well. The pass included cable car to Koyasan station. During the trip you have chance to look at the stunning view of koyasan and experience Japanese style temple and lifestyle. Getting There - Take Nankai Koyasan Line from Namba station to Hashimoto station then change line to Gokurakubashi Station and take cable to up to Koyasan station. These return trip transport is covered by the Nankai 2 day pass, then take bus to Daimon Gate which is starting point for the attraction. Attractions - Kongobu-ji Okuno-in, Kongobuji Temple, Daimon Gate Hotels - Experience extraordinary retreat in one of the 52 Temple offering accommodation Food & Restaurants - Experience Shojin Ryori, Buddhist style vegetarian cuisine for body and soul Shopping - Forget about shopping, do meditation or copying sutras to experience monk lifestyle #osaka #japan #wakayama #koyasan #nankaitrain

In August we visited the sacred mountain Koyasan - an interesting and very mysterious place! There are several ways to get here: 🔸Buy an excursion and go with a guide, by the way, excursions can be bought on Trip.com. 🔸Go on your own and pay for everything in cash or with a transport card. 🔸The option we chose - we bought a Koyasan heritage pass, which covers the road in both directions and gives unlimited travel for two days on buses running on Mount Koyasan. We visited the Okunoin cemetery, about which I cannot write anything, I just ask you to try to soak up the atmosphere of this place, and best of all, come here yourself! #koyasan #okunoin #japan #japantrip

#japantrip Koyasan has become a staple on my Osaka holidays. I get the nankai electric day pass specially for koyasan and it is all worth it. Make sure you get an early start because the train travel takes well above and hour each way. To tell you about the place. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covered with many temples. Also home to Japan’s largest cemetery, the Okunoin Cemetery. Not just any normal cemetery, a moss-lined pathway in the forest leads to the mausoleum and the final resting place of Kobo Daishi. There are even a temple stay option, but I am mostly in favour of a day trip. Having said so, many people recommend the stay. What I love so much is the trails and sights during different seasons. I think autumn is the most beautiful time to visit koyasan. #japantrip #cherryblossom2024 #templestay #koyasan

It took over 2 hours to travel to Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture by train, followed by a cable car and a bus. Upon arrival, there was no feeling of tiredness at all with the snow pouring down that day. Every place on Mount Koya was covered in a blanket of snow, and the cold was piercing. The path to Danjo Garan Temple was incredibly beautiful. We didn't prepare any clothes for the snow, but no matter how cold it was, it didn't stop us from capturing this atmosphere. It was a surprise of the trip due to an additional day caused by the airline's rescheduling. The charm of Mount Koya, which is already plentiful, coupled with the atmosphere of that day, was truly the best!!

"Finding tranquility amidst ancient temples and timeless traditions 🌿✨ #KoyasanMagic #TempleStay #soulfuljourneys #Templelodging #koyasan #travel #meditationretreat 📍Address: Koyasan Unesco World Heritage