• Koyasan Okunoin - The spiritual center of Mt. Koya, where Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the esteemed founder of Shingon Buddhism and a highly respected figure in Japan’s religious history, is laid to rest. The path to Okunoin is lined with the graves of many notable figures, stretching for several hundred meters through the forest. A guide will share fascinating stories about these historical individuals.
• 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 Mt. Koya’s two most sacred sites. 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 created to house and preserve Koyasan’s religious and cultural treasures. The museum’s entrance hall is inspired by Byodoin Temple in Uji, featuring 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 offers 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. An English information desk is available in this building.

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

• Meet up with guide on foot at Koyasan Station
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

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

Our government-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day tour of UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Mt. Koya. Go on a full-day guided walking tour of Mt. Koya and learn about the modern and traditional aspects of one of the world’s most sacred mountains!

If you would like to take some time out to enjoy some sights outside the big city, then this tour of Mount Koya is for you! Meet your guide at Koyasan station, your private guide will customize your full-day tour in detail according to your interests.

Note1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

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