Mount Koya Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

Hi! I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am very good at cultural heritages. And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area. I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government. I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional. I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.

Makoto Y.

4.96 / 5

(94 reviews)

Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide. My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period. Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan. Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge. Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!

Shuji O.

4.91 / 5

(11 reviews)

Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport. I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds. I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature. I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan. If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!

Koyasan resident guides N.

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We had worked at a temple in Mount Koya for lomg years to welcome many guests all around the world. They told us that,"I want to walk around Mount Koya with the guide of monks" "Is it rude for monks if I ask a question like this… but I'd like to ask them a lot ..." "I want to have unique experience in Mount Koya“ We offer tours unique to monks living in Mount Koya based many years of guide experience. Our tours include not only viewing the building, but also Buddhist experiences, yoga , Walking ancient pilgrimage trails, tea ceremony & meditation in Mount Koya. If you want to arrange tours in Mount Koya, please get in touch. We are looking forward to seeing you.

New Mount Koya Tour Guides

Miyuki O.

4.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Hi! I'm an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I got a job as a teacher. I love Koyasan, so I would like to help tourists as a guide only on weekends. I also obtained the national guide qualification.I would like to expand my guide area to cover the entire Kinki region, but I like Wakayama the most because of its spiritual nature.

Noboru S.

(12 reviews)

Hello, everyone! Welcome to Japan. My name is Noboru. I’m a national licensed guide. I was born in Osaka and spent my university student life in Kyoto. And now I have been in Himeji for over 35 years. These cities are in Kansai aea. So,I'm very much familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions in the area, especially Himeji and its neighboring cities. If you are looking for someone to show you around the area, please join my tour. I will show you special local dishes in the area as well. Looking forward to seeing your smile soon.

Tadashi N.

Shall we make a good trip with a nice memory ? I would like nicely to tell you the whole image of Japan when I share your time so as to make a pleasant memory. I was born and raised in Wakayama. I have lived in Osaka city and parts of Hyogo such as Kobe, Nishinomiya when I worked for a bank and cram schools and also, was a University student. And I made a short trip to various Kansai area such as Nara and Kyoto and so on, moreover a long trip to Kanto area such as Yokohama, Tokyo and Nikko. So I am knowledgeable about especially Kansai area, where there are some present-day major cities and other age-old or traditional major cities. They abound in awesome spots to see. Let's enjoy various type of tours. My hobby is to walk around minor part of towns as well and mountainside to refresh my life and watch sport game such as baseball and soccer game, not just indoor game. As I have lived in foreign countries, I think I know what you are thinking about. Kick off our project for fun. thanks

Yasuhisa N.

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I was born in Osaka and now I live in Wakayama prefecture. I have visited more than 800 sightseeing spots in Kansai area including Koyasan. With my experience of visiting 15 foreign countries, I want to introduce Japanese culture and beauties of Koyasan. If my guests wish to take part in some activites, they can join the Ajikan meditation, Jukai and Trekkings. My guests are assured to have an enjoyable trip that is safe and comfortable.

Popular Mount Koya Private Tours

One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness

6 hours

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.

【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour

Koyasan resident guides N.

4 hours

We are a group composed of monks living in Koyasan. We spent long years as monks at temples in Koyasan. We studied Buddhist teachings directly from Buddhist priests of Koyasan and interpreted them to foreigners. Friendly young monks will be happy to explain daily living, training at Koyasan temples that a general public can not see, and important teachings of the esoteric Buddhism.

FROM$435/ per group

【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident

Koyasan resident guides N.

2 hours

We are a group composed of monks living in Koyasan. We spent long years as monks at temples in Koyasan. We studied Buddhist teachings directly from Buddhist priests of Koyasan and interpreted them to foreigners. Friendly young monks will be happy to explain daily living, training at Koyasan temples that a general public can not see, and important teachings of the esoteric Buddhism.

FROM$213/ per group

Overnight trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka

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2 days

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

New Mount Koya Private Tours

Mt. Koya and Women's Pilgrimage Route

6 hours 30 min

Buddhism sacred mountain Mt. Koya was forbidden to women until the 19th century. Women were not allowed to enter the sacred place. Even so, women headed for Mt. Koya, walked the pilgrimage route, and finally walked the Women's Pilgrimage Routes to come closer. On this tour, we will walk a part the Women’s Pilgrimage Routes that still remain there, followed by visits to the Danjo Garan Temple Complex, Honzan Headquarters and the Inner Sanctuary Okunoin.

Koyasan Spiritual Experience Tour

7 hours 30 min

Kobo Daishi (Kukai) founded this sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism about 1,200 years ago. Koyasan is the sacred place in the sky. Even if you are not interested in esoteric Buddhism, you can enjoy its spiritual atomosphere. This tour includes the three most important areas, Okunoin, Danjo Garan Complex and Kongobuji Temple. Immersed yourself in the splendid atmosphere of Okunoin, you will feel your mind and body cleansed to the very core.

Half day Koyasan Highlight Tour

5 hours

Kobo Daishi (Kukai) founded this sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism about 1,200 years ago. Koyasan is the sacred place in the sky. Even if you are not interested in esoteric Buddhism, you can enjoy its spiritual atomosphere. This tour includes the two most important areas, Okunoin and Danjo Garan Complex. Immersed yourself in the splendid atmosphere of Okunoin, you will feel your mind and body cleansed to the very core. Danjo Garan Complex is a world of three-dimensional mandalas.

【Private】Okunoin Cemetery Day Tour

Koyasan resident guides N.

2 hours

Why don’t we visit “Kobo Daishi aka Kukai” together with the monk of Koyasan to Okunoin ? Monks who have license to guide in English take you an enjoyable tour to Okunoin cemetery. We will visit the following places: ◆ Gobyo is the place where Kobo Daishi aka Kukai still remains alive to this day. ◆Touching a tree of 850 years old ◆The biggest tombstone in Okunoin ◆Samurai graves such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi ◆ The monument of Matsuo Basho and so on....

FROM$213/ per group

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Popular Mount Koya Private Cars

one day tour to Koyasan

8 hours

We will visit sightseeing spots in Koyasan （Mt. Koya). The guests may also take part in activities in Koyasan. Those are Sutra Copying, Meditation and Walking tour.

FROM$225/ per group

Yasuhisa N.

Day Trips from Mount Koya

Osaka

Nara

Wakayama

Kumano

Mount Koya Tour Reviews

Simon W.

5 / 5

Mar 30, 2024

【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour

4 hours

Mar 30, 2024

“Wonderful day with Nobu”

I would highly recommend anyone visiting Koyasan to spend time being guided by Nobu. He was very kind, knowledgeable and fun to be with. It was great to learn so much about Koyasan, the beliefs and customs of the area and of the esoteric teachings. Being with Nobu meant he could bring everything I was seeing to life, with the history and its context, rather than what I could just see with my own eyes. There is no substitute for these insights and it gave the whole experience a deeper meaning for me. Thank you Nobu!

Mickey C.

5 / 5

Jan 4, 2024

One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.