Are you considering visiting Koyasan as part of your Japan trip? In this Koyasan travel guide, we’ll reveal why we think Koyasan is well worth a visit, our experience staying with the monks at a Buddhist temple in Koyasan, what to see and do, as well as practical information on how to get there. In short, everything you need to know to plan your Koyasan trip.
It’s dawn, and the first rays of the sun are just hitting the treetops as we make our way across the courtyard. November is on its last days; beneath my feet, the grass is frozen, and my traditional Japanese yukata kimono robe is doing its best to ward off the chilly mountain air. Up ahead, warm light shines through the temple doors, and I hear voices softly chanting from within. It is time for the morning prayer ceremony, and we and the handful of other guests staying with the monks at the temple have been invited to attend.
As the ceremony starts, the hypnotic chanting intensifies, thin wisps of incense fill the air, and the reverberation of drums echoes through the temple. We’re in Koyasan on top of Mount Koya in Japan, and I know that this is one experience I will never forget.
Staying At A Temple In Koyasan, Japan – A Koyasan Travel Guide
Koyasan is a small village in the northern Wakayama mountains, about 800 meters above sea level. Eight mountains surround it in a pattern that resembles a lotus flower with Koyasan in the center.
For Buddhists, this is one of Japan’s most sacred sites. It is the center of the widespread Shingon School of Buddhism, which attracts devotees from all across Japan and beyond.
Maria in the Okunoin cemetery tucked away in the cedar forest – Koyasan’s main attraction.
With 117 temples, hundreds of pagodas, and thousands of grave monuments scattered through the ancient cedar forest surrounding Koyasan, there is also plenty to attract non-Buddhists. It’s quite hard not to hum the theme from Indiana Jones while exploring the staggering collection of ancient monuments, moss-covered stupas, and atmospheric temples.
Visit Koysan On A Day Trip Or Stay The Night?
Many tourists visit Koysan on a day trip from Osaka. Be aware that the JR Pass does not cover the train and cable car to Koyasan.
If you want to visit on a day trip, you might consider joining a guided tour like this (from Osaka). This full-day tour includes round-trip transportation (a return train ticket from Osaka to Koysan and a ticket on the Koyasan Cable Car), all entrance fees to temples, and a walking tour of Koysan with a local, enthusiastic, and friendly English-speaking guide.
You will find an incredible 117 Buddhist temples tucked away in the deep cedar forest in Koyasan. Here is one of them – the Fugen-in temple.
We do, however, recommend staying the night in Koysan as it is so much to see. Koysan’s main attraction – Okuno-in Temple and Cemetery, is even more atmospheric after dark when lanterns light up the temple and path through the forest. Staying in a temple in Koyasan was the highlight of our November Japan trip. It was such a unique and memorable experience.
Table of Contents:
- Staying At A Temple In Koyasan, Japan – A Koyasan Travel Guide
- Visit Koysan On A Day Trip Or Stay The Night?
- A Brief History Of Koyasan
- Staying In A Koya-san Temple
- What To See In Koyasan
- Where To Stay in Koyasan
- Tickets & Costs
- When To Visit Koyasan
- Can You Visit Koyasan On A Day Trip?
- How To Travel To Koyasan
- Getting Around Koyasan
- Closing Thoughts
A Brief History Of Koyasan
In 804, a young Japanese monk named Kukai, better known as Kobo Daishi, joined an imperial mission to Chang-an, China’s capital, during the Tang dynasty. There he studied esoteric Buddhism, and when he returned to Japan two years later, he started sharing his newfound knowledge in the capital city at that time – Kyoto.
Kobo Diashi was an excellent scholar and a renowned composer of Chinese poetry. He is also largely credited with creating the Japanese phonetic writing system, Kana. While his reputation grew in the city, he longed to establish a base for teaching Buddhism in the mountains.
In 1816, the reigning emperor Saga permitted him to establish a center for Esoteric Buddhism in Koya-san, and the Shingon School of Buddhism was born.
The mystical Okunoin cemetery is Koysan’s no. 1 attraction and a must-visit.
In 835, Kobo Daishi spent a week in meditation, after which he told his followers that he would be passing on soon and that they should seal him in the crypt in Koyasan and never open it again. His commands were carried out, and Kobo Daishi achieved enlightenment and entered nirvana at age 62. His crypt was sealed according to his wishes.
So far, the story of Kobo Daishi and Koysan is widely considered historical fact, but the legend has just begun.
The cemetery where Kobo Daishi’s crypt is located is very atmospheric.
One popular story goes that sometime in the 10th century, some curious monks decide to open the crypt. Inside, they encounter Kobo Dashi, still alive, with long hair and a grey beard from his time in isolation. The monks reseal the crypt, and many followers believe that Kobo Dashi is still alive and in eternal meditation inside the crypt. Even today, the monks of the Kongobu-ji temple prepare a daily meal for him as part of their morning ritual.
In 2004 Koyasan became a Unesco World Heritage site as part of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” This made Koyasan famous internationally, and today about 100 000 tourists visit Koya-san every year.
Koyasan village with the beautiful red Jofuku-in Temple
Koyasan village has about 2700 inhabitants, including 700 monks. In the village center, you’ll find shops, cafes, tourist information, and restaurants mixed in with the many temples.
Staying In A Koya-san Temple
Out of the 117 temples in Koyasan, more than 50 have opened their doors for people to stay, creating what is known in Japanese as a Shukubo, which directly translates to “sleeping with the monks.”
You might think this means sharing the monk’s rooms or living quarters, but it’s not like that. Most temples have built dedicated buildings to house visitors, and the facilities are similar to what you find staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan.
Jokiin temple, one of the many lovely temples in Koyasan, where you can stay the night
We chose to stay at the Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel and had a fantastic experience! It’s one of the more modern temples, and our room was spacious and lovely in the traditional Japanese style with comfortable futon beds to sleep in, a private bath, and a relaxing view of the garden.
While most temple stays at Koyasan offer more or less the same kind of experience, the facilities may differ. Some temples offer basic rooms with fans and shared bathrooms, while others are more like a luxury ryokan with air conditioning, a private bath, and even your own private Onsen (hot spring bath).
Temples usually expect guests to check in between 14:00/ 2 pm and 17:00/ 5 pm. There will be a dinner in the evening consisting of Shojin Ryori (vegan Buddhist cuisine). This was a real highlight of our stay, with some of the best food we’ve had in Japan! And I say that, despite not being vegetarian. 🙂
Dinner is either served in a communal dining room or in private. At our temple, we were served privately in a beautiful dining room.
Maria enjoys a fantastic Shojin Ryori dinner in our gorgeous dining room at Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel.
Between check-in time and dinner, you can use the public Onsen (see our Onsen guide if you’re new to taking Onsen), explore Koyasan, or relax in your room. A few temples offer additional activities that you may join, such as meditation classes.
The next morning you can join the monks for their morning prayer ceremony called Otsutome. This is optional, and depending on the temple, it is usually held at about 6 am. Despite the early hours, I would highly recommend getting up for this. In our temple, we felt incredibly welcome, and it was such a fantastic experience.
The prayer hall at Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel, where we stayed and joined the morning prayer ceremony.
The priest involved us in the ceremony, explained to us in English what to expect, and provided us with written notes so that we could participate in the chants.
The prayer hall was beautifully decorated and illuminated, and it was a truly unforgettable experience.
After the morning prayers, you’ll be served a traditional vegetarian breakfast before preparing for checkout.
What To See In Koyasan
The map above: A walking route of the top 8 things to see in Koyasan (A- H)
Koyasan has a lot to see, and you can spend days and even weeks exploring this temple town, with 117 temples scattered around the cedar forest. But most tourists visiting Koysan only have a day or two to explore it. We have therefore narrowed it down to what we think are the highlights and must-see things in Koysan, eight in total.
We have organized these 8 top Koysan attractions into a DIY walking route (A- H) that you can see in the Google Map above, starting with Koyasan’s main attraction – the Okuno-in temple and cemetery:
- A. Okuno-in Temple and Cemetery
- B. Kongobu-ji Temple
- C. Tokugawa Family Mausoleum
- D. Garan Temple & Buddhist Teaching Center
- E. Daimon Gate
- F. Koyasan Reihokan Museum
- G. Koyasan Digital Museum
- H. Kongo Sanmai-in Temple
An alternative to doing this walking tour on your own is to join a Koysan walking tour with a local and professional English-speaking guide. This tour starts at Koyasan Station, where you’ll meet your guide, who will take you to all the main attractions of Koyasan.
- Start this walking route with Koyasan’s main attraction – the Okunoin temple and cemetery.
Head to Ichinohashi Bridge, the start of the path through the cemetery. The bridge is a 10-15 min walk from Koysan town center (the Senjuinbashi intersection). The bridge is just next to Shojoshin-in Temple and across the road from Koyasan Tourist Association. Or you can take bus no. 21 Koyasannai Line from downtown (Senjuin-bashi bus stop) to Ichinohashi-such bus stop, a 4-min bus ride. The Ichinohashi bridge is just a few min walk from the Ichinohashi-guchi bus stop.
Another option is to take bus no 21 Koyasannai Line to Okunoin-mae bus stop (the final stop on the main bus line from the cable car station and the Koysan town center). The bus ride from the cable car station to the Okunoin-mae bus stop takes about 20 min, while it takes about 10 min from the town center.
However, you will enter the cemetery on another side than from the Ichinohasi Bridge. From this bus stop, the walking path is shorter to the main temple (and Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi), then from the Ichinohasi Bridge (1 km while 2 km from the bridge). This shorter path (1 km) goes through a newer and not-so-scenic part of the cemetery. So I recommend that you start from the Ichinohasi Bridge, as it is more beautiful and atmospheric
A. Okuno-in Temple and Cemetery
Okunoin temple and cemetery (奥の院), tucked away in a vast cedar forest, is the main attraction of Koyasan. This is one of the most sacred places in the whole of Japan and a popular pilgrim route. Okonuoin houses the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (often called Kukai), the founder of Koyasan and Shingon Buddhism and one of the most prominent people in Japan’s religious history.
Okunoin cemetery is the main attraction of Koysan and the first stop on this ultimate Koyasan walking route.
There are two popular routes through the Okunoin. The first, which we recommend and walked ourselves, starts at the Inci-no-hashi bridge and follows the two km-long path through the cedar forest.
The second option is to take the bus to the Oku-no-in-mae bus stop and take the Naka-no-hashi route directly to the mausoleum. This will save you about 1 km of walking and take you through the more modern parts of the cemetery. You can also use this path to return to the village after visiting Okuno-in.
If you take bus no 21 Koyasannai Line to Okunoin-mae bus stop, you will enter the more modern side of Okunoin Cemetery. This walking path is shorter, only 1 km until you reach the temple. We recommend that you go this way on your way back to town.
Inchi-no-hashi Bridge
Inchi-no-hashi is the bridge you cross to enter the Okuno-in, the vast cemetery complex that is the main attraction of Koyasan.
Cross the Inchi-no-hashi bridge, which marks the entering point into the Okuno-in Cemetary.
The Okuno-in Cemetary
Enormous cedar trees surround you as you enter the inner courtyard, known in Japanese as Okuno-in. This vast ancient cemetery is one of the most strangely beautiful places I have ever been. The canopy high above provides shade, yet streaks of sunshine break through, revealing moss-covered ancient monuments.
Thousands of old and new tombs and monuments are spread out across the Okuno-in cemetery.
It’s hard to believe the number of stupas and religious monuments hiding in this forest—many very old and partly reclaimed by time and nature. Nobody knows how many tombs there are, but most estimates put it at more than 200 000. You could walk here a hundred times and always spot something different.
Love how the sun shines through the canopy
Gorinto, five-tiered stupa
But they are not all old. Some have been recently added as companies and individuals pay to have monuments here to remember past family members and employees.
The Okuno-in path runs for about 2 km through the cemetery and is beautifully illuminated by lanterns after sunset.
A Buddhist monk making his way through the Okuno-in after sunset
If you have the opportunity, it’s well worth visiting Okuno-in both during the day and evening when the lights are turned on, making it very atmospheric. Not all parts of the path are well-illuminated at night, so it’s a good idea to bring along a flashlight.
You’ll undoubtedly come across many gorinto, five-tiered stupas along the way. These represent the five elements of Shingon Buddhism (bottom to top) – earth, water, fire, wind, and space.
A row of Gorinto, five-tiered stupas, in Okuno-in. They represent the five elements of Shingon Buddhism (bottom to top) – earth, water, fire, wind, and space.
Another detail I’m sure you’ll see and might wonder about is all the statues that wear red bibs. It’s the only splash of color inside the otherwise uniformly green and grey cemetery, and as such, it really stands out.
You will notice lots of red bibs across the cemetery
The bibs are put on the statues by people who have lost children as a prayer to Ojizo-Sama, the guardian of children. It is to ask him to help their children’s souls pass the mythical Sanzu River, saving their souls from eternally stacking rocks on the riverbank.
The red bib is a prayer from someone who has lost a child to Ojizo-Sama, the guardian of children.
You can easily spend hours wandering around the Okunoin, discovering your own favorite monuments, but I’ll quickly mention some of the more famous sights inside Okuno-in below.
Kakuban-zaka Staircase
This gentle sloping staircase consisting of 43 stone steps is a bit more menacing than it looks. The legend goes that if you stumble and fall while walking on the Kakuban-zaka staircase, you will die within the next three years. So if Maria’s walk looks a bit stiff here, you know why. 🙂
Maria is doing her best not to fall on Kakuban-zaka, as this would mean that she will die within three years.
Miroku-ishi Sin Stone
Try lifting the Miroku-ishi stone. This sin stone is said to feel light to lift to virtuous people but heavy to lift for those whose soul is filled with sin. The stone is housed inside what can best be described as a phone booth-sized hut, and you can line up and have a go. Don’t be surprised if your sins are too heavy for you to lift the stone; very few can lift it. 🙂
Mizumuke Jizo – Water-Covered Statues
Before crossing the bridge to the most sacred part of Okuno-in, the Kobo Daishi mausoleum, you’ll pass by a series of bronze statues. These depict the Jizo Bodhisattva. Jizo is a bodhisattva (one who seeks awakening and is on the path towards bodhi or Buddhahood) known for helping beings in the realms of the dead.
If you pour water on the statues, the Jizo will care for you, and you can proceed to the holiest mausoleum with a clear mind.
Stop and pour some water at the Mizumuke Jizo statues. They will care for you so you can get a clear mind before entering the mausoleum, which is the holiest part of Okuno-in.
Sugatami-no-Ido – The Reflection Well
Peering down this small well is a bit scary. It is said that if you see your reflection clearly, you still have a long life ahead of you. But if you do not, then you’re days are numbered. Fun fact, there is also a Sugatami-no-Ido well in Tokyo, at the Chomeiji temple, often called the Koysan of the east.
Gobyo-Bashi Bridge
The Gobyo-Bashi bridge is the last bridge on the Okuni-on path before you enter the sacred grounds containing the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. The bridge itself is made from 36 stone tiles that, together with the bridge itself, represent the 37 deities of the Diamond Realm (a metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Great Buddhas).
Gobyo – Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi
As you step on the Gobyo-Bashi bridge, you can see the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi in the distance, where the monks believe he is still alive and meditating. It is customary to bow when crossing this bridge, and photography is strictly forbidden beyond this point. Beneath your feet runs the Tamagawa River.
Gobyo-Bashi Bridge and the Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Photography is strictly forbidden after this point.
The mausoleum building consists of the Toro-Do, aka the lantern hall, and the inner mausoleum.
Toro-do Main Prayer Hall
The Torodo Hall is Okunoin’s main hall of worship, built in front of the mausoleum itself. It is said to contain more than 10 000 lanterns donated to the temple by followers of Kobo Dashi. The monks make sure that the lanterns are always kept lit. Walking through this magnificent hall bathed in golden light is a truly special experience. We sadly don’t have any photos of this, as photography is strictly forbidden at this most sacred place of Okuno-in.
- Once you get back down to the main road from the Okunoin Cemetery, walk back to Koyasan town center and Kongobu-ji Temple. Walking time: 10 min. Or you can take bus no. 21 Koyasannai Line from Okunoin-mae bus stop to Senjuin-bashi bus stop, a 6-min bus ride. From Senjuin-bashi bus stop, you only have to walk 3 min to Kongobu-ji Temple.
B. Kongobu-ji Temple
Kongobu-ji temple was not built during Kobo Dashi’s lifetime. Originally the temple was named Daidenbo-in, and the emperor granted permission for its construction in 1139.
Kongobu-ji Temple was established in 1139, after Kobo Dashi’s death.
Like most of Koyasan’s temples, it has seen many rebuilds since then. The most famous is when Toyotomi Hideyoshi asked the monk Ogo to build a temple to remember his mother. It was known as the Seigan-ji Temple and was completed in 1593.
After the main building underwent a major reconstruction in 1861, it was decided to rename it Kongobu-ji and merge it with the nearby Kozan-ji temple as an administrative center.
Kongobu-ji Temple is very scenic and one of Koyasan’s most popular temples.
Today Kongobu-ji is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, and from here, more than 3000 temples across Japan are overseen.
Banryutei Rock Garden
Kongobu-ji Temple is one of Koyasan’s main attractions, mostly because of its beautifully illustrated sliding doors and exquisite Japanese rock garden.
The temple’s Banryutei Rock Garden is Japan’s largest, and we went photo bananas as it was so beautiful. When the garden was constructed in 1984, they collected the largest rocks from Kobo Daishi’s birthplace. I love how they make these symmetrical circles in the gravel around each rock.
Our favorite part of Kongobu-ji Temple was the beautiful Banryutei Rock Garden, Japan’s largest.
Inside Kongobu-ji Temple
Once you pass the ticketing booth, you’ll follow a set walking route through the temple house. It will take you past the Ohiroma room, used for religious ceremonies and important occasions. The sliding doors here are beautifully illustrated with crane motifs painted by the artist Kano Tanyu. You’ll also pass the Plum and Willow rooms.
The Willow Room has a kind of dark history. This is where the Japanese daimyō Toyotomi Hidetsugu committed Seppuku, ritual suicide. His uncle Toyotomi Hideyoshi who unified and ruled Japan from 1590 until 1598, accused him of trying to stage a coup and ordered him to take his own life.
Wooden corridors open out onto the rock garden
Ohiroma Room
After walking through the Willow Room, you’ll swing by the recently added modern wing of the temple. Here you’ll be treated to some light refreshments in the form of tea and cookies. Highly appreciated as we were in desperate need of some energy after all this walking.
Once you’re back in the traditional part of the temple, you’ll pass the Jodannoma Audience Room, which is used to receive guests, before coming out onto the rock garden. The walking route ends in the temple’s kitchen with its enormous stove large enough to feed a few thousand monks.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the big dark wooden gate outside the temple. It’s the oldest part of the temple, constructed in 1593.
The oldest part of the Kongobu-ji temple is the gate from 1593.
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Opening Hours: 8:30 a.m to 5:00 pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
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Entrance Fee: 1000 Yen
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How To Get There: The closest bus stop is Senjuinbashi, five minutes walk away. It’s within easy walking distance of Garan.
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From Kongobu-ji Temple, walk north along the main road, and you will see Tokugawa Clan Mausoleum on your left. Walking time: 8 min.
C. Tokugawa Clan Mausoleum
The Tokugawa Family Mausoleum was built in 1649 by the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemisu (1604-1651), to honor his father, Hidetada, and grandfather, Ieyasu.
The mausoleum consists of two identical buildings, one for each of the two forefathers – Hidetada and Ieyasu.
The building on the left is for Tokugawa Shogun’s father, Hidetada, and the one to the right is for his grandfather, Ieyasu.
The construction style is typical of the early Edo period, with intricate carvings, varnished wood, a sloping roof, gold leaf, and extravagant ornamentation. Each building is really like a piece of art, and it took the builders twenty years to complete the mausoleum. Highly worth a visit!
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Opening hours: 8:30 am-5:00 pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
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Entrance Fee: 200 Yen
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Web: Koyasan
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How To Get There: Take the bus to the Senjuin-Bashi bus stop and walk for ten minutes.
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From Tokugawa Clan Mausoleum, walk south to Garan Temple & Buddhist Teaching Center, also called Danjō-garan Buddhist Temple. Walking time: 10 min.
D. Garan Temple & Buddhist Teaching Center
Garan, or Danjo Garan, was the original center for teaching Shingon Buddhism, established by Kobo Dashi in 835. It consists of eight primary buildings, including temples and pagodas.
We entered Garan from the east, following the Jabara-Michi temple road from the Kongobuji temple (a roughly 10-minute walk).
In the front is the Daiedo, with the Toto Pagoda further back. All of this is a part of the Garan Buddhist teaching center.
To this day, Garan’s main function is as a center of teaching. We met groups of young monks visiting as part of their studies. It is also used for important religious ceremonies and draws devotees from all over the world.
Toto Pagoda
West Pagoda
Thankfully it is also open for visitors, and it’s one of the must-sees on any visit to Koyasan.
Since Garan has many buildings, we will highlight what we think are the most important to see. When walking through the Garan Buddhist center grounds, you should pay attention to three buildings: Chumon Gate, Konpon Daito Pagoda, and Kondo – The Golden Hall. See more details and photos of these three below.
Chumon Gate
The large red Chumon, meaning “middle gate,” is the entryway to the Danjo Garan complex. The original gate was a Tori gate built at the time of the founding of Koyasan in 835. The gate has burned down several times since then, and the design has evolved to a two-tiered gate with five bays.
Chumon Gate was rebuilt in 2015.
After the gate burned down in 1843, it wasn’t rebuilt for 172 years until, in 2015, the present-day gate was built to celebrate Koyasan’s 1200th anniversary. The builders took their design from how the gate appeared during the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333), using traditional building techniques (no-nails) and locally sourced cypress and cedar, seldom used for building anymore. It is beautiful!
The statues of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (guardian of the eastern direction) and Vaiśravaṇa (god of war) that guard the gate are modeled from the 1820 restoration. We found them pretty scary looking. 🙂
Guardians of the Chumon Gate
As the middle gate, it functions as the second line of defense again evil spirits, protecting the sacred temples and the teaching of Buddha from evil and temptation.
Konpon Daito Pagoda
The tallest building in Koysan is the 49-meter-tall bright red Konpon Daito, also known as the Great Pagoda, which is Garan’s centerpiece and one of Koyasan’s most recognizable sights.
Originally envisioned by Kobo Daishi, constructing this enormous pagoda took a long time. It was only completed by his successor Shinzen Daitoku around 876, more than 40 years after Kobo Daishi entered his eternal meditation.
The 49 m tall and bright red Konpon Daito Pagoda is one of the highlights of Koyasan.
The name Konpon means “fundamental,” and the pagoda was meant to be a fundamental and essential part of the teaching of esoteric Buddhism. The architecture is quite different from other pagodas at that time, with the lower story square and the upper base round. This has since become a popular way to build pagodas around Japan, but the Konpon Daito is believed to be the first to use this style.
The original pagoda is long gone, and since then, there have been no less than six rebuilds of the Konpon Daito. The current pagoda was built in 1973 and is a faithful reconstruction of the original, except due to the many forest fires, it is built in concrete and not wood.
Maria admires the colorful Konpon Daito Pagoda.
Inside the pagoda, the centerpiece is the statue of the Buddha Mahavairochanaare, surrounded by the other four monks of the Kongokai, the spiritual realm also known as the Diamond Realm. This is a central part of Esoteric Buddhism.
The Daito pagoda has 16 red pillars inside, beautifully decorated with paintings of 16 bodhisattvas. A bodhisattva is someone who has dedicated their lives to attaining enlightenment and becoming a Buddha. The corners of the pagoda have pictures of eight people who helped spread the teachings of Shinton Buddhism.
The pagoda is open to the public, and we went inside (there is a ticket fee). But sadly, no photography is allowed inside, so we can’t show any photos. We think it is worth paying the entrance fee to see the pagoda inside as it is magnificent.
- Opening hours: 8:30 am- 5:00 pm ( Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
- Entrance Fee: 500 Yen
- Web: Kongo-Sanmai-in
Kondo – The Golden Hall
Kondo, also known as the Golden Hall, was Japan’s first hall dedicated solely to Buddhism. The current hall is the eighth restoration of the original hall after many fires and was built in 1934.
The current hall was designed by the father of modern Japanese architecture, Takeda Goichi, who decided to use concrete to fireproof the building. It is also a bit smaller than the original, which is said to have been a two-storied building.
Kondo, or Golden Hall, was Japan’s first hall dedicated solely to Buddhism.
The name Kondo means “auditorium,” and the hall is used as a gathering place for the monks on occasions of important announcements and meetings.
The monks use Kondo on occasions of important announcements and meetings.
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Opening hours: 8:30 am- 5:00 pm ( Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
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Entrance Fee: 500 Yen
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From Garan Temple & Buddhist Teaching Center, continue walking southwest to Daimon Gate. Walking time: 10 min.
E. Daimon Gate
Koysan’s main gate, or Daimon gate, is a large two-storied red gate standing 25 m tall, marking the traditional entrance to Koya-san from the west. The current gate was rebuilt in 1705. We found this gate most stunning after dark when it is illuminated, making the colors and carvings pop even more.
The impressive 25m tall Daimon Gate is the traditional entering gate to Koyasan.
We also walked across the road from the gate, where there is a good view of the valley below. Head to the Daimon Gate at sunset; it is a great spot from which to watch the sunset.
- From Daimon Gate, walk west to Koyasan Reihokan Museum. Walking time: 10 min.
F. Koyasan Reihokan Museum
The Koyasan Reihokan Museum was founded in 1929 to display cultural treasures like statues and artworks belonging to the Kongobuji Temple. In all, the collection holds over 78 000 items, including 21 that have been classified as Japanese national treasures.
At Koyasan Reihokan Museum, you can see statues and artworks belonging to the Kongobuji Temple.
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Opening Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (last admission 30 min before closing). In winter, November – April, the museum closes at 5 pm.
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Entrance Fee: 1300 Yen
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From Koyasan Reihokan Museum, walk northeast to Koyasan Digital Museum. Walking time: 3 min.
G. Koyasan Digital Museum
Koyasan Digital Museum is a new museum that opened in 2022. It presents the unique 1200-year history of Koyasan in a uniquely modern way.
The museum’s centerpiece is the VR Theater, where you can immerse yourself in a digital presentation on the 250-inch screen and interact with the presentation using your smartphone.
There is also a museum cafe serving some local specialties and a souvenir shop.
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Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (the last VR show is at 4.15 pm)
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Entrance Fee: 1000 Yen for VR Theater
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How To Get There:
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From Koyasan Digital Museum, walk southeast to Kongo Sammai-in Temple, the last stop on this DIY walking route of Koyasan’s main attractions. Walking time: 10 min.
H. Kongo Sanmai-in Temple
Kongo Sanmai-in (or Kongo Sammai-in) is one of Koyasan’s most unique temples because it is still in its original form. Its location, away from the other temples, has helped it escape most of the forest fires that have burned down many of Koyasan’s other temples.
The temple was originally constructed in 1211 by the Japanese politician Hojo Masako in honor of her late husband, Minamoto no Yoritomo. With generous funding from two of the most powerful samurai families of the time, the Ashikaga and the Atachi, the temple became one of the largest in Koyasan.
Kongo Sanmai-in is the only original temple in Koyasan. Most of the other temples are rebuilt as the original ones burned down.
The temple grounds are very atmospheric. High cedar trees surround the ancient buildings and the pagoda at the courtyard’s center. We loved walking around these tall trees.
Kongo Sanmai-in has a beautiful Pagoda, classified as a National Treasure of Japan.
For a while, Kongō Sanmai-in was a temple dedicated to teaching different aspects of Buddhism, like Zen Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. Because of their age and history, many of the buildings are considered nationally important cultural properties, and the pagoda is classified as a National Treasure.
Holy Bodhi tree at Kongō Sanmai-in
Kongo Sanmai-in is one of the temples in Koyasan that welcomes overnight guests, and you can book a stay here online. The facilities are fairly basic, with shared bathrooms and paper-thin walls separating guest rooms. But it’s a rare opportunity to stay at one of Koyasan’s oldest temples.
- Open: Early March to early December
- Entrance Fee: Varies by time of year but 500 Yen during peak season
- Web: Kongo-Sanmai-in
- How To Get There: Take the bus to the Senjuin-Bashi bus stop and walk for five minutes.
Where To Stay in Koyasan
Fifty-two temples in Koyasan will take in guests. However, some temples are more used to dealing with non-japanese guests than others. Quite a few of the temples are now available through the usual booking websites, like Booking.com.
We did a lot of research before we went and narrowed it down to a few temples.
Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel
Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel welcomes foreign visitors, and the monks in charge of reception speak English. This is where we decided to stay, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice.
Outside the prayer hall at Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin
After checking in, we were shown our room, which had a great view of the temple’s garden. We were served tea and biscuits. In the evening, the monks cleared away the table and put out futon mats for us to sleep on. Our room had a private bathroom.
Our big room at Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin Tempel
The Onsen is lovely, and soaking in the warm water while enjoying the view of the temple garden was wonderful after a day of sightseeing. And the traditional Shojin Ryori dinner was exceptional! It almost turned us into vegetarians!
Inside the prayer hall
Maria having a delicious vegetarian dinner
The morning service with the monks was an unforgettable experience (read about it at the top of this article), and how we were included in the ceremony was really cool. The location was great, within easy walking distance of the Okunoin. Overall, we loved it!
Rengejoin Templestay
The star of this temple is the stunning Zen rock garden. One of few temples with this kind of stunning rock garden. The place is gorgeous (with beautiful sliding doors), peaceful, and relaxing, and it has received great reviews. If you want to stay at a temple with more modern comfort, then this it is. Although some rooms have futon beds (tatami mats on the floor) like most other temples, they also have rooms with proper beds and modern bathrooms with bathtub. The rooms are huge (37-41 sqm) with a big modern TV, air-con, heater, humidifier, and a fabulous garden view. All rooms have a private bathroom.
This temple has both a morning (06:00 am) and an afternoon (17:00/ 5 pm) prayer/ meditation ceremony for guests to join. So this is perfect if you are not a morning person. They serve a beautiful and delicious vegetarian meal for dinner and breakfast. The temple also has an onsen/ hot spring bath.
Jokiin Templestay
A beautiful temple centrally located in Koyasan, where you stay in a private room with traditional Japanese futon beds. They have big family rooms (31 sqm) as well that can accommodate up to six people (futon beds), and you can choose a room with a private or shared bathroom. The rooms are big, bright, and airy; some have a fantastic view of the beautiful Japanese garden surrounding the temple. The rooms have air-con and a flat-screen TV.
The beautiful Jokiin Temple offers temple stays in private rooms.
The guests are served a typical Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian or vegan cuisine) for dinner and breakfast. Guests are welcome to use the temple’s hot spring bath/ onsen and participate in the morning prayer ceremony.
***Koyasan Saizenin Templestay
***A clean, quiet, and beautiful temple in the center of Koyasan. The temple has beautifully decorated sliding doors of cranes and flowers. The rooms (15 – 51 sqm) are comfortable with futon beds (tatami mats on the floor), and some have a private bathroom. If you are traveling as a big family or group of friends, they have a family room for up to six people. The temple also has a small onsen/ hot spring bath, and guests are served a delicious Buddhist vegetarian meal for dinner and breakfast (you can choose to have it in your room or in the dining hall). You can also join the monk’s morning prayer if you want.
***Sojiin Templestay
***At Sojiin, you have two room types to choose from; Standard Room (30 sqm, can house up to five people) and Suite (80 sqm, for up to six people). The rooms are comfortable with air-conditioning and TV. You get served a delicious vegetarian Buddhist dinner and breakfast and can join the monk’s morning prayer and meditation. The temple has an onsen/hot spring bath as well.
Tickets & Costs
Six temples and museums in Koya-san charge an entry fee. These are Kongobuji Temple, Koyasan Reihokan Museum, Daishi Kyokai, Daito, Kondo, and Tokugawa Family Mausoleum.
Ticket prices vary from 200 Yen for the least expensive (Tokugawa Family Mausoleum) to 500 Yen for most temples and all the way to over 1000 Yen for the most expensive – Kongobu-ji Temple (1000 Yen) and Koyasan Reihokan Museum (1300 Yen).
You either buy a single entry ticket at each temple you visit, or if you want to visit all six, you should buy a joint ticket that covers all six sights (2500 Yen). It will save you money if you visit most of them. Tickets are available at all temples and from the Koyasan Shukubo Association, where you can also rent an audio guide (600 Yen/Day).
When To Visit Koyasan
Because of its high elevation at 800 meters, Koyasan is, on average, about 7-8 degrees Celsius colder than the cities of the surrounding lowland. During the winter months of December to February, temperature drop below freezing, and while the temples remain open most of the village shuts down. We visited in late November, and it was already getting quite chilly, especially in the morning, but there was no snow yet. There was heating in our room, so it was warm and comfortable inside.
We visited Koyasan at the end of November, and it was pretty chilly, especially in the morning.
For those who brave the cold and visit during winter, the snow-covered ground makes the cemetery and temple grounds, if possible, even more atmospheric and eerie.
Peak visitors’ months are April and October for cherry blossom and fall colors. So if you plan on visiting then, you should book accommodation well in advance.
Can You Visit Koyasan On A Day Trip?
Koyasan can be visited as a day trip, and people come from, for instance, Osaka in the morning and return in the evening. However, I recommend staying at least one night in Koyasan. Walking through the cemetery after dusk, lit only by the light from the lanterns, is a magical experience, as is staying in a monastery and attending the monk’s morning rituals.
How To Travel To Koyasan
The most common travel route to Koyasan is by way of Osaka like we did.
The Nankai Railway (not covered by the JR Pass) runs from Osaka’s Namba or Shin-Imamiya stations to Gokurakubashi Station. There is a limited express train four times per day (80 minutes) on weekdays. At other times, take the express or rapid express train (100 minutes), changing trains at Hashimoto Station on the way.
Once you reach Gokurakubashi Station, you take the cable car up the mountain and then a 10-minute bus trip to Senjuinbashi Station in central Koyasan. The road from the cable car top station into Koyasan town is quite narrow, so you cannot walk there.
Getting Around Koyasan
You can walk to just about anywhere in Koyasan. It is a small town and basically flat terrain, so walking around is easy. Most temples, museums, and sights are downtown; only Okunoin Cemetery is outside the town center (a 10-15 min walk).
Most temples are in central Koyasan, with a few minute’s walk between. Only Okunoin Cemetery is a bit outside the town center (a 10-min walk)
You will mainly be using these two local bus lines that stop at the major sights and temples:
- Koyasannai Lines – Six buses: bus no. 21, 22, 23, 24, 33, and 51. This main bus line connects Koyasan Station with downtown Koyasan (Senjuin-bashi bus stop) and Okunoin Cemetery (the eastern end of the town). Bus no. 51 connects Daimon Gate (the west end) with Okunoin Cemetery (the east end) and does not go through Koyasan Station.
- Senjudaimon Lines – Two buses: bus no. 31 and 32. This connects Koysan Station with Daimon Gate (the western end of Koysan town).
All buses stop at Senjuin-bashi (the central intersection of Koyasan, where Koysan Tourist Information is located), making it easy to get around town by bus.
You can find more info on the buses serving the Koysan area here: http://rinkan.co.jp/global/en/route/
Closing Thoughts
Well, there you have it. Our complete guide to Koyasan and our experience from staying at a Koyasan temple. I hope this gave you some ideas on what to see and do in Koyasan and what to expect if you’re considering staying for a night in one of the temples.
Don’t forget to check out our other Japan travel guides (there are almost fifty of them now!). A great place to start is our Japan Itinerary, where we have organized the best of Japan into a two-week round trip.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below! And if you have been to Koyasan, please tell us if you think there is anything we should add to this guide.
Have a fantastic trip to Koyasan!
Are you visiting Japan? If so, are Koyasan on your to-do list? Do you plan to visit Koyasan on a day trip or stay the night at one of the temples? Or have you already been to Koyasan? We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Please comment in the comment area below.
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