• Koyasan Okunoin - The spiritual center of Mt. Koya. Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the esteemed founder of Shingon Buddhism and a highly respected figure in Japan’s religious history, is interred here. The path to Okunoin is lined with the graves of many notable individuals, stretching for several hundred meters through the forest. A guide will share fascinating stories about these historical figures.
• Kongobu-ji Temple - Serving as the main headquarters for the Shingon Sect, which encompasses 4,000 temples across Japan and boasts over 10 million followers globally. Visitors can admire religious artifacts, fusuma sliding door paintings, and a stunning rock garden symbolizing two dragons soaring among the clouds.
• Koyasan Danjo Garan - One of the two holiest sites on Mt. Koya. In the 9th century, Mt. Koya was established on this very site. Kobo Daishi conducted a groundbreaking ceremony here and dedicated his life to building Danjo Garan. This sacred area includes nearly twenty different structures, including the impressive Konpon Daito. A guide will explain the significance of these structures.
• Koyasan Reihokan Museum - The Reihokan Museum (霊宝館, Reihōkan) was constructed to house and preserve Koyasan’s religious and cultural treasures. The museum’s entrance hall is inspired by Byodoin Temple in Uji, and it features three exhibition halls for both permanent and temporary displays.

The museum’s collection includes thousands of religious artworks. The permanent exhibition showcases statues, mandalas (paintings representing metaphysical maps of the cosmos), and various other religious tools and paintings, with the most notable being the scroll depicting the “Reclining Image of Sakyamuni Buddha on His Last Day”. Additionally, a rotating temporary exhibition presents a seasonal selection from the museum’s collection.

• Koyasan Daishi Kyokai - Daishi Kyokai (大師教会, Daishi Kyōkai) serves as the administrative hub of Shingon Buddhism, tasked with disseminating the teachings of Kobo Daishi, the sect’s founder. The complex comprises two buildings: Henjoden, a traditional temple hall built in 1915 and dedicated to Kobo Daishi, and a modern building for administration, lectures, and training.

Visitors can engage in several activities at Daishi Kyokai, such as receiving Buddhist precepts (jukai) or copying Buddhist scriptures (shakyo). No prior reservations are necessary.

• Tokugawa’s Mausoleum - The Tokugawa Mausoleum (徳川家霊台, Tokugawa-ke Reidai) on Koyasan was constructed in 1643 by the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu to provide his family with a mausoleum near Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. It consists of two buildings that enshrine Iemitsu’s grandfather Ieyasu and father Hidetada, the first two Tokugawa shoguns.

The mausoleum’s two identical buildings took twenty years to complete and were built in the lavish style of the early Edo Period, featuring elegant sloping roofs, rich ornamentation, intricate carvings, lacquer, and gold leaf. The two buildings stand side by side, with the one on the right enshrining Ieyasu and the one on the left Hidetada.

• Private vehicle
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list’
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Embark on the quintessential excursion for those eager to explore the UNESCO-listed Mt. Koya. Enjoy a comprehensive day-long private vehicle journey across this deeply revered mountain and delve into its rich blend of historical and contemporary significance!\n\nShould you be staying in Osaka and wish to venture beyond the urban sprawl to witness the enchanting vistas of the countryside, this Mount Koya adventure in Wakayama Prefecture beckons! Connect with your guide at your Osaka lodging, and set off for Mount Koya.\n\nNote*1: Possessing a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certificate, sanctioned by the authorities of Japan, necessitates proficient insight into the country’s cultural and historical tapestry.

• There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.