GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
  • Tours
  • Art, Culture, & Historical

One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness

Art, Culture, & Historical
Mount Koya Tour Guide - Hiroyuki T.

Joined 2019

Hiroyuki T.
4.96 / 5
(128 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Mount Koya
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!English
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!6 hours
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Private tour (only you and Hiroyuki T.)
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Up to 10 people

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

Nankai Koyasan Station or your temple in Mt. Koya

11:00 AM

Daimon Gate

This 25m high wooden gate 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.

11:40 AM

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 round picture which represents the universe in Buddhism. I always feel that I am a part of the universe at Danjo Garan. I will tell you why.


12:10 PM

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.

01:00 PM

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.

02:30 PM

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.

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

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
What‘s included

guide fee

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
What‘s not included

Insurance

Bus fare in Mt. Koya

Entrance fees

Lunch for guests and guide

Tour Important Information

As we will walk for more than two kilometers, 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

Cancellation Policy

  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Mount Koya Tour Guide - Hiroyuki T.

Joined 2019

Hiroyuki T.
4.96 / 5
(128 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Impressive First Full Day in Kyoto

Thanks to our experienced guide Hiro we spent an impressive day in Kyoto visiting the most important temples and gardens, inclusive a lunch (Tofu with rice) in a former temple being seated on the floor. Hiro explained in an easy and enthusiastic way all important facts about history and Religion. This full day tour is highly recommend, very efficient and insightful. Arigato Hiro and take care!

Carlos P.

Thank you very much for your message It was really nice to have spent time with such a wonderful family like yours. As you have some time in Kyoto, I will recommend Sanjusangendo which is very different the ones we visited yesterday And I recommend to enjoy local food in Osaka. Okonomiyaki pancake and Takoyaki octopus balls are very famous. Don't leave Osaka without having Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. Thank you very much. Have a safe trip. Hiro

Great Time

Kiroyuki was so knowledgeable about the area and gave us historical background on everything. He listened to what we were wanting to experience and made sure he provided it for us. He was very patient and considerate with my health conditions as well. He went above and beyond by helping us navigate the trains and cab. He helped us purchase train cards and download the best app to get cabs. He spoke really good English and was familiar with American customs. We had an amazing time thanks to him.

Melaunie L.

Thank you very much for your kind message. It was a very hot mid-summer day. We had a record-breaking hot summer this year in Japan. It is raining today, and the weather forecast says that today in the last summer day here. Please take care of yourself and come back to Japan in spring or fall next time. Many thanks to you. Best wishes, Hiro

Kyoto Japan

Hiro was fantastic. I felt like I was in my own college class. He made history come to life. If you are looking for the best guide he is your man. Thanks Hiro for two adventure full days. Best. George.

George S.

George san, Thank you very much for everything. I had wonderful two days with you in Kyoto. By the way, Osaka is a place to enjoy its culture. And Nara, Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle are easy to access from Osaka. You can make a one day trip to Hiroshima as well. I hope you will have a wonderful time in Osaka as well. And enjoy the SHOW!

Want to Personalize?Send a Message
$287/ per group
Reserve

More tours by Hiroyuki T.

Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timercover image

Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer

Osaka
7 hours

There are a lot of places to visit, a lot of things to do in Osaka. From historical sites to food venders hopping. CHOOSE 3-4 places you want to visit from the list below and let me know. I will customize a tour for you.

FROM$255/ per group
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forestcover image

Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest

Kyoto
8 hours

There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.

FROM$304/ per group
One day tour  to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.cover image

One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.

Osaka
9 hours

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.

FROM$287/ per group
Cultural Properties in Ancient Capital of Kyoto- from Osakacover image

Cultural Properties in Ancient Capital of Kyoto- from Osaka

Osaka
9 hours

In Kyoto, there are a lot of cultural properties. Of them, seventeen temples and shrines are included in World Heritage. On this tour, we will visit some of them Osaka to feel the profundity and splendor of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, for example, if you would like to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, Silver Pavilion, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Sanjusangen-do and others, just let me know. I will customize the tour for you.

FROM$287/ per group

Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Mount Koya

【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tourcover image

【Okunoin, Garan & Kongobuji】 Private tour

Mount Koya
4 hours

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.

FROM$457/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Koyasan resident guides N.
Koyasan resident guides N.
5.00 / 5
(9 reviews)
Mt. Koya and Women's Pilgrimage Routecover image

Mt. Koya and Women's Pilgrimage Route

Mount Koya
6 hours 30 min

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.

FROM$304/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Hiroyuki T.
Hiroyuki T.
4.96 / 5
(128 reviews)
【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan residentcover image

【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident

Mount Koya
2 hours

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.

FROM$223/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Koyasan resident guides N.
Koyasan resident guides N.
5.00 / 5
(9 reviews)
Okunoin&Ancient pilgrimage trails Lunch with panorama viewcover image

Okunoin&Ancient pilgrimage trails Lunch with panorama view

Mount Koya
3 hours

“Women Pilgrims Route” is said to be “the most beautiful trail” among the mountain paths around Koyasan. After attending a ritual in Okunoin, we are going to hike some of the “Women Pilgrims Route” that even forest experts recommend. At the end of the tour you will eat local specialties while watching the spectacular panorama of the mountains registered as World Heritage Sites.

FROM$457/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Koyasan resident guides N.
Koyasan resident guides N.
5.00 / 5
(9 reviews)