• Osaka - Begin your journey from Osaka with a train ride to Koyasan, accompanied by your guide!
• Kongobu-ji Temple - This is the central temple of the Shingon Sect, which boasts 4,000 temples across Japan and 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 Okunoin - The spiritual center of Mt. Koya, where Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and a highly esteemed figure in Japan’s religious history, is enshrined. The path to Okunoin is lined with the graves of many notable figures, stretching several hundred meters through the forest. Your guide will share fascinating stories about these historical personalities.
• Koyasan Danjo Garan - One of the two holiest sites on Mt. Koya. In the 9th century, this was the site where Mt. Koya was established. Kobo Daishi conducted a groundbreaking ceremony here and dedicated his life to building Danjo Garan. This sacred area includes nearly twenty structures, such as the impressive Konpon Daito. Your guide will explain the significance of these structures.
• Koyasan Reihokan Museum - The Reihokan Museum (霊宝館, Reihōkan) was created to preserve the religious and cultural treasures of Koyasan. Its 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 depicting metaphysical maps of the cosmos), and various other religious tools and paintings, with the most notable being the scroll of 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 includes two buildings: Henjoden, a traditional temple hall built in 1915 dedicated to Kobo Daishi, and a modern building for administration, lectures, and training.

Visitors can engage in 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. It comprises two buildings that enshrine Iemitsu’s grandfather Ieyasu and father Hidetada, the first two Tokugawa shoguns.

The mausoleum’s two identical buildings, completed over twenty years, were built in the lavish style of the early Edo Period, featuring elegant sloping roofs, rich ornamentation, intricate carvings, lacquer, and gold leaf. The building on the right enshrines Ieyasu, while the one on the left enshrines Hidetada.

• Koyasan Station - Conclude your visit by returning to Osaka with your guide via train.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Osaka
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

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

Take advantage of our certified multilingual guides, approved by the government, to experience a single-day tour of the UNESCO-classified World Heritage Site, Mt. Koya. Embark on a comprehensive day-long walking excursion through Mt. Koya, delving into the timeless and contemporary facets of one of the world’s most revered mountains!

Should you presently be lodging in Osaka and wish for a break from the urban ambiance to immerse yourself in some off-city views, then our Mt. Koya tour in Wakayama Prefecture is a perfect fit for you! Connect with your guide at your convenience (whether in Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama, or anywhere in the vicinity of Kansai) and be on your way to Mount Koya. Your guide will thoroughly tailor your day-long journey to match your preferences.

Note1: Please pick your must-visit locations from the list provided in the tour description to devise your personalized schedule.
Note2: The Japanese government issues the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification, demonstrating a solid comprehension and appreciation for Japanese heritage and customs.

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

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