Mt. Koya is a very important part of the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Mt. Koya is in Wakayama Prefecture and I used to work for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred mountain very well. In this tour we will visit Mt. Koya and walk the Women's Pilgrimage
At your hotel in Osaka or Kansai International Airport
Twenty-five meters high wooden gate Daimon marks the official entrance to Mt. Koya. Stand inside are two big statues of Nio Buddha. They have scary faces. Who is Nio? Why does he look scary? I will explain.
Mt. Koya is famous for its vegetarian cuisine which is very well known as “shojin ryori”. Sesame tofu which contains a lot of protein is one of the most famous shojin ryori in Mt. Koya. Enjoy sesame tofu shojin ryori lunch at a restaurant near Daimon. *Subjects to availability.
Stand in Danjo Garan are Konpon Fundamental Pagoda, Golden Hall, Shintoism Shrine, Central Gate, West Pagoda, East Pagoda and other important facilities.
High Priest Kukai tried to express the world of mandala by arranging Konpon Fundamental Pagoda in the center and other important temples and pagodas around it. And expressed inside Konpon Fundamental Pagoda is a 3D mandala.
Mandala is a picture which expresses the universe in Buddhism. I always feel that I am a part of the universe at Danjo Garan. I will tell you why.
Kongobuji was named so by Kukai when it was constructed in 816. Nowadays the Koyasan Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism has about 4000 affiliated temples throughout Japan and overseas and is headquartered here. Buddhist altar rooms and guest rooms in the temple are beautifully decorated and you can feel the profoundness of Buddhism arts. Many of the existing buildings are the reconstruction of 1862.
This temple is a hidden treasure of Koyasan. The pagoda in the precincts was built in the 12th century and is one of the oldest remaining pagodas in the Japan and is designated as a national treasure.
There are many temples in Mt. Koya which offer lodging. They are called shukubo.
You will be able to take part in the Buddhism ritual early in the morning. Taking part in the ritual will be an unforgettable experience for you.
We will walk women's pilgrimage route Nyonin Michi for an hour. This pilgrimage route has ups and downs.
At the end of the pilgrimage path, beyond the uncountable number of tomb stones, there is a mausoleum of Kukai. People believe that Kukai is still alive here to keep meditating. Why are there so many tombs here? Why does Kukai keep meditating at Okuno-in? I will explain.
After lunch, we will leave Mt. Koya to Osaka, we will arrive at Osaka around five.
At your hotel in Osaka or Kansai International Airport
guide fee,hotel pick up in Down Town Osaka
Insurance
Transportation Approx. JPY6,000 per person plus same amount for guide
Koyasan Buddhists’ Vegetarian Lunch; from JPY2,700 per person and same amount for guide
Accommodation for guests
Accommodation for Guide ( price varies depending on the day of stay and booking, ask for details)
As we will walk a lot, comfortable shoes are recommended.
It is cooler in Koyasan than in Osaka by five degrees, be prepared for this cooler weather.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch for you and guide are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
Transportation approx. JPY6,000 per person plus same amount for guide
Koyasan Buddhists’ Vegetarian Lunch from JPY2,700 per person and same amount for guide
Accommodation
Accommodation for GUIDE
Hiro was fantastic. I felt like I was in my own college class. He made history come to life. If you are looking for the best guide he is your man. Thanks Hiro for two adventure full days. Best. George.
George san, Thank you very much for everything. I had wonderful two days with you in Kyoto. By the way, Osaka is a place to enjoy its culture. And Nara, Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle are easy to access from Osaka. You can make a one day trip to Hiroshima as well. I hope you will have a wonderful time in Osaka as well. And enjoy the SHOW!
We spent our first day in Nara with Hiroyuki, who gave us an exceptional tour of Nara Park and its breathtaking shrines and temples. Hiro is incredibly knowledgeable, answering all our questions with fascinating details, and his decades of experience as a tour guide truly shine through. He is also very accommodating, patient, and speaks good English. We couldn't have asked for a better guide to introduce us to Nara's rich history and culture. Thank you Hiro O.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice meeting such a nice couple like you. Yes, you asked me a lot of questions and liked your questions. I hope you liked my answers as well. Take good care of yourself and enjoy rest of your days in Japan.
Hiro was a fantastic tour guide, showing us all the sites of Osaka. He was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with all of our questions. We cannot say enough good things about our experience with him. Thank you!
Thank you very much for your kind words. I hope you had a good time in Osaka yesterday. By the way, how is your knee? Are you okay? Have you heard that JR had made a cancellation announcement? I hope that everything will go well with you.
Hiroyuki was a superb guide! We had already spent 2 weeks in the Kansai region, but our day with Hiro on Mt Koya was certainly one of the highlights, due to the detail of his plans and knowledge. Calm and easy to chat to, Hiro provided us with many insights into Japanese culture, beyond the fascinating insights into Kukai, esoteric Buddhism and Koya San. He patiently answered our many questions and gave us some very useful tips for our trip to Nachi the following day! We had an amazing lunch in a restaurant recommended by him and it was fascinating to learn so much about many varied topics. We will always remember this amazing experience and would highly recommend him as a guide! Thanks again, Hiro!
Thank you very much for your kind message. I am glad to know that you liked my tour to Mt. Koya. How did you like Kumano, by the way? Did you walk Kumano Kodo? I hope you liked Kumano as well. It's still very hot and humid in Japan. We are having the hottest summer ever. How is it in UK? Please take good care of yourself and come back to Japan some time in the future.