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Mt. Koya and Women's Pilgrimage Route
Joined 2019
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nankai Koyasan Station or your temple in Mt.Koya
Women's Pilgrimage Route
Women, who were not allowed to enter the sacred site of Mt. Koya, pilgrimed there to walk the Women's Pilgrimage Route which connected women's halls stood at the end of each of the seven pilgrimage routes. We will make a 40-minute pilgrimage from the only remaining women's hall to Daimon Gate following a 2-kilometer mountain trail.
Daimon Gate
This 25m high wooden gate marks the official entrance to Mt. Koya. Stand inside are two big statues of Nio. They have scary faces. Who is Nio? Why does he look scary? I will explain.
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 represents the world of Buddhas. I always feel that I am a part of the universe at Danjo Garan. I will tell you why. (JPY500)
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.
Local Buddhists’ Vegetable Lunch (Shojin Ryori)
Mt. Koya is famous for its vegetarian cuisine which is very well known as “shojin ryori”. Sesame tofu which contains a lot of protein is one of the most famous shojin ryori in Mt. Koya.
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.
End of the tour
Ending Point
Nankai Koyasan Station or your temple in Mt.Koya
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
Insurance
Bus fare in Mt. Koya
Entrance fees
Lunch for guests and guide
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 are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
Bus ride in Koyasan JPY840 per person plus same amount for guide
Local Buddhists’ Vegetarian Lunch JPY2,700 plus same amount for guide.
I can meet you in downtown Osaka, if you prefer with charge. Ask for details.
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, 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.
Reviews
Leanne C.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
“Cultural heritage tour of Kyoto region ”
Thank you to Hiro for a wonderful day visiting many of the culturally significant sites in the Kyoto surrounds. Hiro is a great guide his explanation of the significance of each site was so important to understanding. Hiro was very accommodating and gave us many options to explore. I would definitely recommend Hiro as a guide and certainly this tour if you want to see the most significant sites!!
Caroline W.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
“Best day in Kyoto!”
We had a wonderful day with Hiro and will be recommending him to our friends and family who visit Japan. His knowledge of Japan’s history and storytelling were impressive. The zen vegetarian lunch was such a fun experience for us. You won’t regret booking a tour with Hiro!
“Excellent guide and fascinating destination ”
Our guide Hiroyuki was excellent and is highly recommended. The tour of Koyasan was fascinating and Hiro added so much to the experience. Excellent English, very articulate, well educated, enjoyable to be around. 5 stars!!
Hiroyuki T.
(148 reviews)Lundie san, Thank you very much for such a wonderful message. It was really nice spending time with you and the group. I like clients like you who show interests and pay respect to our culture and religions. As I explained, you can see original shape of the nature worship in Japan in Kumano. Waterfalls , Rocks, and forest are the deities themselves there. As I will go to Kumano next week, I will tell the Kumano deities that you will come next year. Thank you very much and take care. Hiro
$300/ per group
Reserve
