One Day in Mount Koya. Feel the Sacredness and Holiness
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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
guide fee
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 for tickets, lunch and others 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
- 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
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.
Lia M.
“True story of family reunion”
I can hardly express the depth of my gratitude to Hiroyuki. What began as a simple your turned into a life-changing experience for my family. We brought fragments of information about our ancestral history, and he knew exactly the steps to take to discover information. Without giving too much detail, he brought my elderly parent together with their long-lost cousin, and then patiently served as an interpreter for them to communicate. This was a defining moment for my parent and they were in tears. This would not have been possible without Hiroyuki. Thank you so, so much. I can't recommend him enough.
Joel G.
“Excellent Guide”
Hiroyuki-san was a patient and thoughtful guide to Kyoto.
$311/ 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
【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident
【Kongobuji & Garan】 Private tour with a Koyasan resident
Overnight trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka
Overnight trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka
