Overnight trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka
Joined 2019
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
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Osaka
- In the lobby
Daimon Gate
Twenty-five meters high wooden gate Daimon marks the official entrance to Mt. Koya. Stand inside are two big statues of Nio Buddha. They have scary faces. Who is Nio? Why does he look scary? I will explain.
Local Buddhists’ Vegetable Lunch (Shojin Ryori)
If you prefer famous Koyasan tofu and vegetarian dishes which is very well known as “shojin ryori”, let me know in advance.
Danjo Garan (Temple Complex which expresses the concept of the Universe)
Stand in Danjo Garan are Konpon Fundamental Pagoda, Golden Hall, Shintoism Shrine, Central Gate, West Pagoda, East Pagoda and other important facilities.
High Priest Kukai tried to express the world of mandala by arranging Konpon Fundamental Pagoda in the center and other important temples and pagodas around it. And expressed inside Konpon Fundamental Pagoda is a 3D mandala.
Mandala is a picture which expresses the universe in Buddhism. I always feel that I am a part of the universe at Danjo Garan. I will tell you why.
Kongobuji Honzan (Headquarters of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism)
Kongobuji was named so by Kukai when it was constructed in 816. Nowadays the Koyasan Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism has about 4000 affiliated temples throughout Japan and overseas and is headquartered here. Buddhist altar rooms and guest rooms in the temple are beautifully decorated and you can feel the profoundness of Buddhism arts. Many of the existing buildings are the reconstruction of 1862.
Your shukubo hotel
There are many temples in Mt. Koya which offer lodging. They are called shukubo.
Day 2
You will be able to take part in the Buddhism ritual early in the morning. Taking part in the ritual will be an unforgettable experience for you.
Women's Pilgrimage Route
We will walk women's pilgrimage route Nyonin Michi for an hour. This pilgrimage route has ups and downs.
Okuno-in (Inner Sanctuary where people meet High Priest Kukai)
At the end of the pilgrimage path, beyond the uncountable number of tomb stones, there is a mausoleum of Kukai. People believe that Kukai is still alive here to keep meditating. Why are there so many tombs here? Why does Kukai keep meditating at Okuno-in? I will explain.
Mt. Koya- Osaka
After lunch, we will leave Mt. Koya to Osaka, we will arrive at Osaka around five.
Ending Point
TBD
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee,hotel pick up in Down Town Osaka
Insurance
Transportation Approx. JPY6,000 per person plus same amount for guide
Koyasan Buddhists’ Vegetarian Lunch; from JPY2,700 per person and same amount for guide
Accommodation for guests
Accommodation for Guide ( price varies depending on the day of stay and booking, ask for details)
Tour Important Information
As we will walk a lot, comfortable shoes are recommended.
It is cooler in Koyasan than in Osaka by five degrees, be prepared for this cooler weather.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch for you and guide are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment for tickets, lunch and others will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
Transportation approx. JPY6,000 per person plus same amount for guide
Lunch for guests and guide
Accommodation
Accommodation for GUIDE (I will have to ask you to pay my accommodation in Koyasan)
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide 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, Kyoto, Osaka and other places as I was 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.
If you need a good guide in the Tokyo area, I have a friend on GoWithGuide I can recommend you!
Reviews
Luis R.
“Two tours with Hiroyuki”
My family did two tours with Hiroyuki one in Osaka and another in Kyoto. Both tours were excellent. Tours were customized to our needs, well timed, informative and Mr Hiroyuki was always attentive to our desires thru the tours. Would highly reccomend his services to anyone traveling in those cities. I usually dont write reviews but felt he did such a good job that I decided to share with others.
Luis R.
“Amazing Tour ”
We had an amazing tour with Hiroyuki. It was informative, well planned and flexible to meet our needs. We were a family of 4 adults and my daughter said that Hiroyuki "was a great teacher". His recommendation on the vegetarian lunch was excellent (and this coming from someone that loves bacon and meat. Try it, you wont be disappointed). Thank you Mr Hiroyuki for a wonderful tour.
Jami D.
“A Guide Whose Wealth of Knowledge Imparted a Deeper Understanding of Japan”
Hiro expertly guided us between Kyoto and Osaka. Visits to each site were started with Hiro giving us a short lesson on the history and culture of the location. He has great knowledge of each location, and was able to answer all of our questions. And he knows the special locations at each site to take the best pictures. Hiro showed great consideration for our enjoyment and well-being, making sure we had plenty of time to rest and refresh ourselves during the 90+ degree temperatures. If you’re into history and knowing the greater details of the places you’re visiting, Hiro would make an excellent guide for you.
$834/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Mount Koya
【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour
【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour
A Journey to Koyasan – The Heart of Japanese Buddhism
A Journey to Koyasan – The Heart of Japanese Buddhism
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident
【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident