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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.
Meeting Point
At your hotel , Koyasan , Wakayama city
Meeting at your hotel in Koyasan area (Osaka pick-up is also arrangeable with extra cost)
Hotel pick up
Okunoin (The Inner sanctuary)
You can enjoy strolling about 2 kilometer hike surrounded by more than 200,000 tombstones and monuments from historical figures to commoners. It is said that Kobo Daishi is still alive in this Okunoin and the monks bring food for him twice a day. If you start the Okunoin tour at this time, you may be able to see it.
Danjo Garan Complex
There are many Buddhist buildings lined up in the Garan. You can also see Miyashiro Shrine Complex and learn the difference between Shinto and Buddhism. Let's enter the Konpon Daito Pagoda and enjoy the glittering esoteric arts.
Lunch at temple lodging or restaurant
If you make a reservation from the day before, you can enjoy vegetarian food at a temple.(Please note that if you cancel, a cancellation fee will be charged) I know a temple where you can experience Goma-gyo（fire ritual). There are many other recommended restaurants.You can make a reservation on the same day as well depending on your budget.
End of the tour
Hotel drop off
Ending Point
At your hotel , Koyasan , Wakayama city
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding fee
Hotel pick-up / drop-off in Koyasan area
Transportation fee (you and guide) train and Koyasan bus about 4,090 JPY per person. It is recommended to buy a World Heritage ticket.
Entrance fee about 400 JPY per person. I'm a certified Koyasan guide, so no admission fee is required for myself.
Lunch 2750JPY～ per person. If you'd like to have vegetarian cuisine at the temple reservation is required from the day before. ( I'll make a reservation on your behalf.)
Tour Important Information
Since it is a half-day tour, it ends with lunch, but if you come to Koyasan in the afternoon and stay at a temple lodging I will guide you until the dinner time (17:00 or 17:30).
Important message from the guide
I can only work in the afternoon on Fridays. If you come to Koyasan from Osaka on Friday and stay at a temple lodging, I can guide you for about 2 hours in the evening.
I can pick you up in Osaka, but I would rather guide you on how to get to Koyasan from Osaka and help you get to Koyasan.It is safe because there are many foreign tourists on the train.You might be able to join me by the time we get on the cable car.
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
Mount Koya Tour Reviews
“Nice tour, but Koyasan a mixed bag”
We had very bad weather which was of course not very nice. Miyuki was such a nice person and gave us great insights in the history and religious background of Koyasan. She really did her best but her English was not always easy to understand for us. The graveyard is really impressive, a magical place, but I was underwhelmed by Danjo Garan. So If I would do it again I would probably sleep at a temple and do all the ceremonies there and spend as much time as I can at Okunoin on my own and skip the rest of Koyasan, as Kyoto has more interesting places.
Miyuki O.
(1 reviews)Thank you for your good evaluation. I remembered the first time I heard a story from a monk at Koyasan a long time ago and was overwhelmed. I think it is difficult to explain about religion. I need to explain things in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and if it's difficult to explain, I also need to prepare pictures or materials. Thank you for your opinion. Unfortunately, it had rained since the day before as a typhoon was approaching. During the tour, we were lucky that it wasn't raining heavily and we had time to fold our umbrellas. The Kii Mountains are also known as"Land of Trees'' because of the abundant rain and growth of trees. It would be nice if your camera captured the moss-covered stone towers and green trees vividly as compensation for the rain. Koyasan is part of the sacred mountain range, and the Kumano Kodoーpilgrimage route is also located in the Kii Mountains. Daimonzaka slope, which leads to Nachi Falls, is popular with photographers and nature lovers. It's true that the cities of Kyoto and Tokyo are more exciting, especially for young people. Koyasan may be a place where you seek peace and relaxation.
