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Exploring Koyasan
Joined 2017
Women were forbidden to enter Koyasan until 1872. Koyasan, literally means Mt Koya, a 900 high highland located in Wakayama Prefecture is a center of Buddhist study. A founder of Shingon Sect, Kobo Daishi Kukai who was granted by emperor Saga to use this land in 816. You can touch the Buddhist concept of vicissitude in a walk through the path toward innermost sanctum in deep ceder tree forest.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kansai district ( Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto and Nara)
At your hotel lobby
To meet you at your hotel lobby, with Gowithguide welcome sign board your name on. Followed after brief tour orientation, we start the tour of the day
Koyasan Temple Complex tour - Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda)
To arrive at train station, JR Shin-Imamiya Station, or JR Tengachaya Station, or Nankai Namba Station whichever closer to your hotel. To arrive at Koya town after boarding a local train for approx 90 min ride, followed thereafter boarding 5 min cable car and 10 min Nankai Rinkan Bus. 5 min walk from bus stop, Kongo Buji-Mae will take us 1st stop at Danjo Garan Complex following after such as (1) Konpon Daido Pagoda, (2) Kon-Do hall, (3) Chu-mon Gate, (4) Sanko no Matsu Pine Tree. Then walk again back to Kongo Buji-Mae bus stop in front of the main highllights of Koyasan, Kongo-Buji Head Temple.
Koyasan Temple Complex tour - Kongobuji (Head Temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism), 2,340m2 largest Temple Dry Garden
The head temple of more than 4,000 temples of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in the world. Highlights includes elegant pictures on sliding doors, a grand kichen and the room Toyotomi Hidetsugu committed suicide, Kongo-buji Temple Dry Garden named "Banryuu-Tei", 2,340m2 largest dry garden in Japan.
Koyasan Cemetery Path to Kobo Daishi Mausoleum - Torondo (Lantern Hall), Kobo Daishi Gobyo (Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi)
We go through (1) Sando (approach), (2) Gobyo no hashi Bridge, (3) Asekaki Jizo (sweating jizo statue) and Sugatami no Ido (Mirror Well) that lead us Kobo Daishi Gobyo Mausoleum
To arrive at Gokurakubashi Station, Nankai line
To take the same route a way back to Gokurakubashi Station from Koya town by use of Nankai Rinkai bus and cable car.
End of this day tour at your hotel in Osaka. Will arrive later at your hotel if you stay in Kyoto or Nara.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kansai district ( Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto and Nara
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
Included:
*Travel expense for the guide as required to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses for the guide included are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe)
*Return tickets for the guide to go to Koyasan station from Gokurakkubashi station by a cable
*Return tickets for the guide to go to Bus station, Kongobuji temple mae by a bus
*Admission fees, tickets for the guide as might be incurred at temples, shrines or the like.
*Meals , drinks or the like for the guide during the tour
*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan
*Gratuity
*Return train tickets for the guide between Nankai Namba station to Gokurakubashi station
*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide
*Tickets for Universal Studio Japan, museum or the like for the guide as might be required at private or public entertainment facilities.
Tour Important Information
Women were forbidden to enter Koyasan until 1872. Koyasan, literally means Mt Koya, a 900 high highland located in Wakayama Prefecture is a center of Buddhist study. A founder of Shingon Sect, Kobo Daishi Kukai who was granted by emperor Saga to use this land in 816 had not passed away but is believed still sitting in eternal meditation at Okunoin (a cemetery, innermost sanctum in deep towering cedar trees) 1,812 temples were built here in Koyasan and now 117 temples remain. The path, continues about 2 km from the Ichinobashi bridge to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum, is lined on both sides by hundreds of commoners’ and also great hero’s gravestones, memorial pagodas. We can touch the Buddhist concept of vicissitude in a walk through this path.
- TICKETING -
Recommend purchasing "Koyasan world heritage tickets" in advance
- IMPORTANT -
Not suitable for tours with infants, children, wheelchairs and strollers.
Be quiet and respectful in Koyasan Temple complex and the path to Kobo Daishi Gobyo (Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi)
Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Temples
Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects
Not to take pictures where prohibited in Temples complex
Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami
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 2017
About Tour Guide Masahisa M.
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 8,665 guests all over the world across Japan as of Sept 30, 2024 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Alexander P.
Explore Kyoto City by visiting Fushimi (Shrine, Sake Brewery and Boat)
“Great experience in Fushimi area! Really nice view in Tofukuji Temple”
Thank you Masahisa for great tour and review of nice places! Good and accurate tour schedule, helpful guidance and interesting cultural insights. The day was filled with stunning sights. Fushimi Inari Shrine is really popular place with a lot of tourists, but we were able to see nice view, and Masahisa provided interesting facts and history. Sake Brewery was interesting place with tasting experience and a lot of exhibits \ details of brewing process. The Tofukuji Temple surprised me for its beautiful gardens, especially during autumn, we were a bit early to view red maples, but still catched some of them. Also this temple was not so crowded. The serene atmosphere and the views from the temple’s bridges overlooking the gardens were incredibly peaceful. Overall, the tour in Fushimi was amazing, offering a perfect mix of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Masahisa M.
(46 reviews)Alexander Hi, thank you once again for traveling such a long way to visit Kyoto and wish you safe return home with beautiful memory. At Tofukuji Temple, perhaps due to recent climate changes, the autumn leaves have been changing color later than usual, and it is regrettable that you were unable to see the deep crimson foliage this time. Please do visit us again. Thanks Masahisa
Saulius P.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
“I had a wonderful visit and learned a great deal about areas of interest”
Mr. Masahisa M. proved to be a highly intelligent and knowledgeable professional. Especially noteable is his command of both the Japanese and English languages alongside his willingness to share his wisdom. He is also very accomodating and happy to alter plans in order to enhance the tourist's experience. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting the area. Saulius Ploplys
Masahisa M.
(46 reviews)Saulius Hi, regarding your request, I plan to start by sending the provided. materials to local sword appraisal experts to see if I can obtain any clues. I anticipate that this process will take sometime, but I will keep you updated on the progress. Thanks Masahisa
Annemarie W.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“A wonderful day in Kyoto guided by Masahisa (Mike) Makino”
Mike met us at our hotel and whisked us off for a fantastic tour, focusing on all of the places we most wanted to see in Kyoto. He shared rich and invaluable historical, cultural and social insights that greatly added to our enjoyment of this trip. His thoughtfulness, generosity and sense of humour greatly enhanced the day for us. We couldn't have asked for more and highly recommend him!
Masahisa M.
(46 reviews)Annemarie I, too, had a wonderful day. I was drawn to Tara Hill by Vivian Leigh's lines, and I remembered being astonished by the "Beware of Fairies" traffic sign when driving through the forests of Ireland, also the mishaps I made at the Guinness Storehouse, and the movie "The Quiet Man." Please not to forget the rain check I promised you the next time you visit Japan. Thank you again for traveling to us from such a long way. Thanks Masahisa
$264/ per group
Reserve
