Mount Koya Private Tours & Local Tour Guides
Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Mount Koya, Japan with a Local Guide
Popular Mount Koya Tour Guides
Hiroyuki T.
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.
Noriko I.
Hello, I’m Noriko, certified national tour guide. I live in Wakayama prefecture, where there are a lot of nature and historic places, hot springs and delicious food, such as seafood and fruits. Wakayama stretches from north to south on the Kii Peninsula, however, it takes only about one hour from Kansai International Airport to the north part of Wakayama prefecture. I’m sure I can help you learn Japanese culture, history, and traditions, and fully enjoy traveling in Wakayama. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!
Makoto Y.
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.
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!
New Mount Koya Tour Guides
Akari Y.
It has been a year since I started guiding in the Kansai area last spring. I am passionate about introducing the beauty of Japan. I am happy to introduce guests from overseas to the Japanese culture established by our predecessors. I will introduce Japanese culture, food, cuisine, sake, nature, manga, spiritual culture, history, Buddhism, Shinto, Shugendo, pilgrimage paths, and other topics of interest. Let me introduce myself. I was born in Osaka and grew up in Osaka and Kyoto. I have lived in the U.S., China, and Australia when I was younger.
Miyuki O.
Hi! I'm an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I got a job as a teacher. I currently teaches at a cram school while also working mainly as a guide. I also obtained the national guide licence. 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.
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
Popular Mount Koya Private Tours
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
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.
Koyasan Spiritual Experience Tour
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.
【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour
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.
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
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.
New Mount Koya Private Tours
Mt. Koya and Women's Pilgrimage Route
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.
Half day Koyasan Highlight Tour
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
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....
Meditation Experience
Private meditation hall surrounded by temple gardens.You can receive direct instruction from the monks. [Ajikan meditation] A 1200-year-old meditation method introduced to Koyasan by Kobo Daishi from the Tang dynasty. Explore your self in the pure air with a monk who guides people through daily meditation.The meditation hall will be specially reserved for you. Koyasan is a rare World Heritage Site that inherits not only Japan’s culture but also ancient India and the Tang Dynasty.
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Mount Koya Tour Reviews
Fiona H.
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
“A very satisfying and enjoyable day exploring Koyasan's sacred sites”
Hiro skilfully guided us through the physical sites and spiritual history of Koyasan during the fascinating six hours we spent with him there, including temples, shrines, and Okonuin cemetery. We hoped he would deepen our understanding of these important places, and he certainly did. One of Hiro's talents as a guide is an ability to explain complex information in an accessible way, so even those learning from scratch like us could understand. We had many questions, and he was able to give nuanced answers. After two weeks travelling Japan, we now thanks to Hiro understand a great deal more of what we are seeing. He drew the connections for us between the various religious practices, and the historical events in Koyasan and other places we'd visited before we came here. As we were later staying overnight at a temple, this enhanced that as well, providing greater context even after we'd finished the tour. We also enjoyed the local meal he suggested. He is a courteous, intelligent guide, an excellent communicator, and a talented educator. I recommend him to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of these sacred sites. Thank you, Hiro, for a very satisfying and enjoyable day.
Hiroyuki T.
Fiona san, Thank you very much for your kind words. It was very nice meeting you in Koyasan. It was also really nice spending time with a nice couple like you who showed a lot of interests and paid a lot of respect to our culture and religions. Yes, you asked me questions, which I liked very much. Some of them were eye opening even for me. I hope you have a lot of wonderful experience in Japan, and I also hope that our lines cross again sometime in the future. Sincerely, Hiro
Adeline K.
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
“Visiting Koyasan During a Rainstorm ”
Hiroyuki has very deep knowledge of Buddhism and history of Koyasan. Aware of an approaching extratropical cyclone he briefed me on the site locations in advance everytime he had an opportunity. When the rainstorm hit we could only do one stop of the Danjo Garan which consisted of a complex of temples. However, I was very satisfied with my tour and visit to Koyasan as I felt that Hiro had done a great job explaining the temple complex clearly and didn't feel I had missed out much.
Hiroyuki T.
It was unfortunate that heavy rain hit that area when we were there. It's rare to have heavy rain in November. I am sorry about it. Next time, let's visit Nachi waterfall together and walk World Heritage Pilgrimage route Kumano Kodo. Take care and enjoy your tour in Japan It just started. Hiro
Patrick B.
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
“Great day on Mount Koya with Hiro-San”
Hiro-San is a former government employee who worked on cultural site preservation. He was born and lives 15 minutes away from Mount Koya and is very knowledgeable about the area and its religious practices (his family has their own temple / shrine). We learned about the religious history of Japan, with its unusual syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism (plus Hindu deities), about the life and beliefs of Kukai, a monk who imported esoteric Buddhism to Japan (Shingon Buddhism) after having learned its secrets and been ordained in China, and about the interactions and occasional rivalries between political and religious powers in the history of Japan. The visit included several temple compexes—with Buddha statues, gardens and centuries old works of art—as well as the Okuno-In cemetary, the largest in Japan, with monuments for shogun families, warlords, and Kukai himself, and a more modern section for business founders, artists, etc. Hiro-San took us to a local restaurant for lunch (suited for our kids who were starving for non-tofu based food after sleeping one night in a local temple), and very kindly called and booked a van for our return trip to Osaka the next day. Definitely recommend if you plan to visit Mount Koya.
Hiroyuki T.
It was really nice spending time with you and your family in Koyasan. Koyasan is a special place to me. I used to work for the Koyasan UNESCO world heritage project some 20 years ago. It was a difficult job but a meaningful one. It's a great pleasure for me that I can share what I learned from this job with another people as a guide. Take care of yourself and have a safe trip Hiro
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