One day tour to Mt. Koya from Wakayama
Joined 2019
Mt. Koya is a sacred site for Esoteric Buddhism established by high priest Kukai in 816.
He tried to build the Buddas’ world in a small mountaintop basin of altitude 800m.
There are 117 temples there centered by the Temple Complex where the important buildings are located.
People believe that the high priest Kukai is still alive to meditate in his chamber in the holy cemetery Okuno-in. They say there are 400,000 tomb stones, monuments, pagodas and others there.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Wakayama station
- At the ticketing office We will take the 8:22am JR train from Wakayama
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 expresses the universe in Buddhism. I always feel that I am a part of the universe at Danjo Garan. I will tell you why. (ticket 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. (ticket JPY1000)
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 for lunch, 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. (free)
Ending Point
JR Wakayama station We will take the 3:17pm cable car from Koyasan
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
guiding fee
Insurance
Lunch (you and guide)
Transportation fare
Entrance tickets
Tour Important Information
As we will walk for a lot, comfortable shoes are recommended.
It is cooler in Koyasan than in Wakayama by five degrees, be prepared for this cooler weather.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Direct payment for tickets, lunch and others will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
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
Joel G.
“Excellent Guide”
Hiroyuki-san was a patient and thoughtful guide to Kyoto.
Arlene N.
“Osaka Hidden Gem”
This was another memorable day tour with Hiroyuki, and my sister and I had a great time exploring different parts of Osaka. In keeping with his story-telling style, Mr Hiro shared his knowledge of the city, its architecture and its history, adding to the richness of the tour experience. My sister walks with a cane and Mr Hiro took extra care with her while we were navigating through subways and train stations, and along garden paths and old city streets. Thank you for your kindness and patience. We can’t wait to return for more tours with Hiroyuki.
Hiroyuki T.
Yes, same here! I cannot wait to see you again. See you again next year! Hiro
Chris R.
“If you're looking for a deeper, more meaningful way to experience Kyoto, this tour is it.”
To start, Hiroyuki helped us navigate the complexities of Kyoto’s public transit system and translated at ticket counters and restaurants, allowing us to use our time more efficiently and focus less on logistics and more on appreciating Kyoto’s rich culture and beauty. That alone would have made the tour worth it. But what Hiroyuki offered went far beyond that. In just one day, we learned almost as much about Japanese spirituality, culture, and religious history as we would in an introductory college course. He gave us an engaging, accessible introduction to the core philosophies of Shinto, as well as Zen Buddhism, Pureland Buddhism, and their influences from Hinduism. His explanations struck the perfect balance: clear and compelling, full of insight without ever feeling overwhelming or academic. (He even wove in humor and pop culture references that resonated with our teenagers!) Thanks to that, each Shinto shrine, Buddhist temple, and Zen garden we visited carried deeper meaning---we weren’t just seeing beautiful places; we were beginning to understand what they represent. Hiroyuki also went the extra mile, helping us choose restaurants based on our preferences and even adjusting the tour route to end near our evening shopping and dining plans. We left Kyoto with a deeper appreciation of it, thanks to Hiroyuki’s incredible gift for bringing Japan’s history, spirituality, and culture vividly to life.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for spending time with me in Kyoto. Kyoto is the place! It is always nice to see people from Utah. I have a lot of beautiful memories there. It is good to know that you liked the tour and I like people like you who pay a lot of respect to our cultural and religions. Thank you very much once again, hope to see you again in the future, if I live long.
$310/ 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
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