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 9,173 guests all over the world across Japan as of Mar 31, 2025 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Timothy L.
“Exploring Nara”
Masahis was a most professional and excellent tour guide. We had time constraints, and he efficiently guided us traveling from Kyoto, through Nara, and back, an informative tour with informative commentary, much appreciated.
Masahisa M.
Timothy Thank you for traveling a great distance to visit us. I am deeply impressed by the remarkable achievements of your family, including your son, who ranked first in the state in the mathematics contest, and collective contributions of your family to the medical field. Should the opportunity arise, please visit us again. Thanks Masahisa
Services U.
“Kind, reliable, and well-organized guide who made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable”
Masahisa's frequent and thoughtful communication before the tour showed his great personality and made us feel at ease joining the tour. Even in crowded areas, he kindly helped with taking photos, and everything was handled on time and smoothly. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience!
Masahisa M.
Services U I would be grateful if my involvement could be of any help to your company this time. Motivated solely by the desire to see 'Tara's Hill,' the land mentioned by Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind, I visited there and found myself able to imagine the desolate seaside depicted in The Quiet Man. Thanks Masahisa
Mark W.
“Knowledgeable Kyoto Guide”
Mike (Masahisa) did a great job guiding our group of 4 adults around Kyoto during the Cherry Blossom season. He worked tirelessly ahead of our visit to help customize the tour to meet our needs. In addition, he provided numerous travel tips to help us easily manage the logistics. Kyoto sites are very busy with a heavy tourist load. Mike navigated us around the city to ensure we saw the highlights without getting bogged down. He was very knowledgeable of Japanese History so he was able to bring each temple and shrine to life. And he was fun, so we thoroughly enjoyed our two day with him. Highly recommend
Masahisa M.
Mark I appreciate your visit from afar and would like to express my thanks once again. I was amazed by profound knowledge of all of you and appreciation for Japanese sake. Amid the increasingly crowded conditions in Kyoto during the peak tourist season, to be honest, I was relieved to have been able to include a moment of serenity and elegance that Kyoto still retains in your itinerary. However, despite making various arrangements as per your prior request, because of the Spring Dance performances that began on April 1st this year at the Kaburenjo Theaters located in the four historic hanamachi districts—Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho, and Kamishichiken—I regret that I was unable to secure the necessary arrangements for your party. This remains my sole regret. Thanks Masahisa
$315/ per group
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