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”. If you prefer this, let me know in advance.
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 there to keep meditating. Why are there so many tombs there? Why does Kukai keep meditating at Okuno-in? I will explain.
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 for tickets, lunch and others will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
Bus ride in Koyasan JPY1100 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 additional 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
Rupal V.
“2 Days in Kyoto ”
Our special thanks to Hiro for a wonderful 2 days spent in Kyoto… he was very patient and adjusted well to the needs of our group, and shared his extensive knowledge ( great insights in to the various religions and practices, shrines & temples and various customs) and gave us a great flavour of Kyoto with visits to Kinkakuji Golden pavilion, Ryoan-ji rock garden, Arashiyama bamboo forest and surrounding area, Nishiki market, Sanjusangen-do temple, sake museum, Byodo-in temple, and Fushimi Inara Shrine. We highly recommend him.
Hiroyuki T.
We had cold days but it was really nice spending time with you in Kyoto. Thank you very much. It is always nice spending time with those who show respect to Japanese culture. Thank you very much for beautiful pictures as well. How many pictures did you take by the way ? Pictures are nice to remember things. I will always remember you with these pictures. Hiro
Miriam R.
“A wonderful experience ”
Hiro, thank you for expertise, wealth of knowledge, patience, and flexibility. We had a fantastic time seeing Kyoto with you. You are an excellent guide!
Hiroyuki T.
Miriam san, Thank you very much for you kind message. I spent a wonderful time with you. There are a lot more to see, a lot more to experience in Japan. Please come back to Japan again. I hope we can meet again before I get too old. Hiro
Wendy M.
“Great day in Okayama and Kurashiki”
We had a great day out with Hiroyuki. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and took us to places we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Hiroyuki T.
It was a very beautiful day. I had a wonderful time both in Okayama and Kurashiki with you. It was really nice spending time with people who know how to enjoy culture. I hope see you again sometime in the near future. Hiroyuki TSUI
$304/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
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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.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Mount Koya
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.
Overnight trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka
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
Koyasan one- day exploring
we start from the west end of Koyasan mountainous Buddhism city, Daimon deva gate and finish at the east end of this highland,Okunoin through halfway points,Garan, temple facility complex and the general head temple Kongobuji. There are ancient stone monuments, neat row of age-old shops and Buddhist architecture. Guest would find out what they are with the beginning of Shingon Sect.
【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.
