Koyasan is likely one of the most sacred locations in Japan. Situated in Wakayama prefecture, lower than two hours from Osaka, Koyasan makes for a religious getaway. Right here is every thing it’s worthwhile to know earlier than visiting Koyasan.
Japan is stuffed with historic and religious historical past. However there most likely isn’t a spot as sacred, enriching and near disconnecting from the busy cities as Koyasan. Solely a few hours away from Osaka, it makes for the proper in a single day keep off the principle vacationer tracks.
Koyasan is seeped in historical past and spirituality. It’s the centre of Shingon Buddhism, house to the biggest cemetery in Japan and the place the place Kobo Daishi entered his everlasting meditation almost 1,200 years in the past.
One other factor that has put Koyasan on the map for travellers is that it’s top-of-the-line locations in Japan to remain in a single day in a Buddhist temple. Practically half of the energetic temples in Koyasan supply this – and I used to be fortunate sufficient to expertise this too.
Staying in a single day in Koyasan has been one of the vital memorable experiences I’ve had in Japan. On this information, I’ll present you what you may expertise in Koyasan, so you may really feel the significance of this sacred city and take advantage of your time right here.
* We have been invited to return and keep in Koyasan by Visit Wakayama as a press keep. All views are my very own.
Why Go to Koyasan – Temporary Historical past
Earlier than we dive into the most effective issues to do in Koyasan, I need to share some details about the significance of the city and its historical past.
Koyasan was based by Priest Kukai (often known as Kobo Daishi) over 1,200 years in the past. He studied Buddhism in China and returned to Japan a few years later to unfold Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. In Koyasan, he established the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
The city is positioned at an elevation of round 900 meters, and it’s stated that Kobo Daishi picked this place due to the encompassing eight mountain peaks. They resemble the Buddhist image of the lotus plant. On prime of that, it gives a spot away from distractions – the proper place for monks to follow Shingon Buddhism and pray.
Koyasan can be house to the largest cemetery in Japan, Okunoin, which has over 200,000 gravestones. On the finish of the cemetery, yow will discover Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. It’s believed that as an alternative of passing away, Kobo Daishi sits right here in everlasting meditation. For over 1,000 years, monks have been bringing breakfast and dinner to his mausoleum each single day.
In 2004, the city gained World Heritage standing by UNESCO. However it’s greater than only a place for sightseeing, it’s a spot the place you may totally immerse your self in Shingon Buddism and the day by day lives of the monks.
In the course of the Edo Interval, Koyasan housed over 2,000 temples – which is stunning, seeing that the city itself is just two by three kilometres large. Right now, Koyasan remains to be an essential Buddhist centre, with 117 energetic temples. Over 50 of them supply a really distinctive expertise: Shukubo (an in a single day keep in a Buddhist temple).
Whereas there are different locations in Japan the place it’s potential to keep in a single day in a Buddhist temple, Koyasan is especially well-known for it. As a result of there are such a lot of temples you may keep at, and since lots of them are foreigner-friendly (simple to e book on web sites like Booking.com and have English-speaking employees), it provides the proper alternative to expertise one thing like this.
My in a single day keep in Koyasan was one of the vital memorable experiences I’ve had in Japan. Tons of analysis has gone into this text, together with enter from the tourism board – so I’m very excited to share the most effective issues to do in Koyasan under. Hopefully, it’ll aid you plan your journey there!
Finest Issues to Do in Koyasan
Listed below are the most effective issues so as to add to your Koyasan itinerary:
1. Keep In a single day in a Buddhist Temple
Shukubo, or temple keep, is likely one of the finest issues to do in Koyasan. Whereas it’s potential to do that in different components of Japan, Koyasan is the most effective place for it. Of 117 Koyasan temples, 52 supply this service (often known as Shukubo).
When staying in a single day at a Buddhist temple, you get far more than only a room. You get to be part of the monks of their day by day actions (similar to a night meditation and morning chanting or fireplace ceremony) and style the standard delicacies: Shojin Ryori. Each temple is completely different and has its personal ceremonies and traditions.
Throughout my go to to Koyasan, I stayed at Rengejoin – a temple that has been providing lodging to pilgrims and travellers for hundreds of years. Visit Wakayama booked us the Royal Suite, which included a fantastic tatami lounge, a separate bed room with two Western beds and a toilet searching over the temple backyard. It’s one of the vital lovely rooms I’ve ever stayed in!
As a part of my keep at Rengejoin, I attend their night Ajikan meditation session and the morning Sutra ceremony. Dinner and breakfast have been each included too, in genuine Buddhist Shojin Ryori type – it was unimaginable. I’ll go into extra element about what Shojin Ryori is and why it’s so particular a bit additional down this text.
Please notice that bank cards aren’t extensively accepted in Koyasan. It’s finest to convey money to pay at temples and outlets.
2. Go to Okunoin, Japan’s Largest Cemetery
Okunoin might be essentially the most well-known sight in the entire of Koyasan. Not solely is that this the biggest cemetery in Japan, nevertheless it’s additionally the place Kobo Daishi is believed to stay in everlasting meditation.
The cemetery sits in a forest stuffed with tall cedar bushes, towering over 200,000+ gravestones. The stone path leads you from the cemetery entrance to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
Strolling among the many towering bushes whereas passing previous gravestones coated in moss can solely be described as peaceable. Okunoin is likely one of the most lovely and serene locations I’ve been to on the earth. Only for this, it’s price making the journey to Koyasan.
Okunoin is the ultimate resting place for a lot of well-known names, nevertheless it’s essential to notice that anyone will be buried right here. You don’t even need to be a Buddhist! To be buried in Okunoin, you’ll need to pay a payment to one of many temples to safe a spot of their a part of the cemetery. For the reason that cemetery is so well-known, the charges can run up fairly excessive, particularly in order for you a great place.
The monk who guided us via the cemetery (we did a night tour, extra information on this under!), instructed us that many graves right here solely include the neckbone of the individual buried right here. The opposite stays are stored in a shrine nearer to their households.
The trail within the cemetery is round two kilometres lengthy and takes you throughout three bridges in direction of the tip of the cemetery. Right here is the place yow will discover Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
Earlier than the final bridge, you’ll see a row of Buddha statues. Earlier than crossing the bridge, it’s customary to select one and throw some water on them. Previously, the bridge didn’t was once there. Folks would cleanse themselves within the river earlier than coming into the sacred grounds. These days, you may think about cleansing your self whereas “washing” the Buddha statue.
Earlier than crossing the bridge, additionally ensure that to bow – you’re about to enter sacred floor.
Shoujingu Ceremony
When planning your go to to Okunoin, you’ll need to attempt to be at Gobyo-bashi Bridge at both 6AM or 10:30AM to witness the Shoujingu Morning Ceremony. Most temple stays have morning ceremonies at 6AM, together with Rengeojin (the place I stayed), so I made certain I used to be at Okunoin for 10:30AM.
As a part of a long-standing ritual, the monks of Koyasan have been bringing Kobo Daishi breakfast and lunch each single day for over 1,000 years – irrespective of the climate. You’ll be able to watch the monks carry the meals over Gobyo-bashi Bridge in direction of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
Having learn a lot about Shingon Buddhism earlier than my Koyasan journey and having simply spent the evening at a temple, watching the monks carry the meals throughout the bridge felt very particular. Be sure you get there on time!
Please notice that you’re NOT allowed to take any photographs or movies after crossing Gobyo-bashi Bridge. You also needs to not eat or drink after crossing the bridge, and it’s additionally finest to take off your hat.
Torodo Corridor
Past Gobyo-bashi Bridge lays Torodo Corridor. It was in-built entrance of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum – inside, yow will discover 1000’s of burning lanterns. The lanterns are donated by folks and are lit for eternity.
As you’re not allowed to take any photographs inside (or after crossing the bridge), I’ll go away this as much as your creativeness till you go to it your self. It is rather spectacular!
Firm Gravestones
Whereas strolling via the cemetery, one specific factor caught my consideration – the firm gravestones. Within the newer components of the cemetery, yow will discover gravestones for giant companies, together with Panasonic, Nissan and Yakult.
Firms have paid to have these put right here to commemorate ex-employees who’ve handed away of their retirement or employees who handed away whereas working for them. It’s a method to honour those that helped form the corporate.
Another gravestones within the cemetery are much like this. The one pictured under is a tombstone devoted to termites – from an organization that offers with pest management.
3. Take a Night time Tour of Okunoin
Should you’re staying in a single day in Koyasan, taking a night tour of Okunoin is one thing I might extremely advocate. Even if you happen to’ve already visited the cemetery in the course of the day or are planning to go to it the subsequent day, occurring an evening tour provides a lot additional to your time in Koyasan.
At evening, Okunoin’s lanterns are lit up, creating a singular view of an already spectacular sight. It’s quiet and you’ll even hear the flying squirrels making noises if you happen to’re fortunate.
The tour begins at 7PM, proper after dinner at your temple keep. You’ll be guided via the cemetery by one in all Koyasan’s monks. Our information turned a monk simply 5 years in the past and was very open about his life as a monk and his choice to maneuver to Koyasan. We may ask him something and he gladly answered all our questions.
On prime of that, a guided tour via Okunoin is the proper method to study much more about Shingon Buddhism and the significance of this cemetery. We have been taught sure legends concerning the cemetery, what sure tombstones meant and extra details about Kobo Daishi’s life (do you know he’s stated to have invented Hiragana?).
On the finish of the tour, in entrance of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum, the monk stated a particular coronary heart sutra for us. Not lengthy after, it began to snow. It made braving the chilly in February greater than price it – it felt virtually magical in a spot like this.
The tour information makes certain you get again to your temple earlier than curfew. The temple we have been staying in (Rengejoin) is likely one of the furthest temples from Okunoin and we acquired again proper in time. With sufficient time for a scorching tub earlier than heading to mattress.
It’s finest to pre-book the evening tour as they’ve a restrict of 35 friends per tour. You are able to do this on their official website.
4. Take pleasure in a Conventional Shojin Ryori Meal
When staying in a Buddhist temple in Koyasan, dinner and breakfast are included. And because you’ll be dwelling with the monks for the day, you’ll additionally get to hitch them of their conventional delicacies: Shojin Ryori.
Buddhist cooking is totally vegetarian, however Shojin Ryori is greater than that. Shojin Ryori will also be loved by vegans, as no animal merchandise are used in any respect – it reveals the Buddhist means of honouring all life. No components with overwhelming flavours can be utilized both, together with garlic.
All meals are vegan and deal with 5 flavours (candy, bitter, salty, bitter, and umami), 5 cooking strategies (uncooked, baked, fried, boiled and steamed) and 5 colors (crimson, blue, black, yellow, and white).
It goals to point out all the person components at their best. The best way these dishes are ready reveals the essence of every ingredient, and it’s put collectively superbly. It seems to be like a chunk of artwork.
What components are used Shojin Ryori adjustments all year long. Solely seasonable greens and mountain vegetation are used.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have dinner and breakfast at Rengejoin and it was a number of the finest vegan meals I’ve ever had. Dishes included soups, freshly lower greens, various kinds of tofu and vegetable tempura.
There have been so many dishes to get pleasure from, every of them put along with extraordinary care. Each single factor I tasted introduced a lot flavour with it – it was scrumptious (and really wholesome!).
Should you’re not staying in a single day at a temple however would nonetheless prefer to strive a conventional Shojin Ryori meal, you may go to the next eating places: Hanabishi or Chuoshokudo Sanbo. Or you may make a lunch reservation at one of many temples that supply a lunch menu, together with Eko-in.
Strive Goma-Tofu for Lunch
Guma tofu (or sesame tofu) performs a giant half in Shojin Ryori meals, and one restaurant specialises on this dish: Kadohama Goma-tofu honpo.
Throughout our in a single day keep in Koyasan, we had lunch right here and it was top-of-the-line meals I’ve had in a very long time. The dishes have been put collectively so superbly, and it’s an effective way to do that particular kind of tofu if you happen to’re on a day journey to Koyasan or searching for a spot for lunch earlier than or after your temple keep.
5. Stroll Via the Daimon Gate
On the West aspect of Koyasan, yow will discover the Daimon Gate. That is the official entrance of Koyasan. At 25 meters excessive, it’s fairly a formidable sight to see. There are some gorgeous views of the Wakayama mountains close by too – within the night, you will be handled to lovely sunsets right here.
Two statues stand contained in the gate, defending Koyasan. It’s an ideal begin to your Koyasan itinerary, as you may simply make your means from this aspect of the city to Okonoin, which lies on the far East aspect. Koyasan itself isn’t very giant, so you may simply discover it on foot.
6. Go to Kongobuji Temple
Should you’re solely planning on going inside one temple throughout your keep right here, it must be Kongobuji. That is the pinnacle temple in Koyasan. The title Kongobuji was once the overall title for the entire of Koyasan. Kobo Daishi named it after the Sutra “Kongobu-rokaku-issai-yuga-yugi kyo”.
Whereas the constructing itself has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of occasions, it’s lovely to stroll via. The painted sliding doorways are artworks, and you too can discover Japan’s largest rock backyard (Banryutei) right here.
Should you’re planning to go to a number of sights in Koyasan, chances are you’ll need to think about shopping for the mixture ticket. It prices 2,500 yen and contains entry to Kongobuji Temple, Daishi Kyokai, Konpon Daito, Kondo, Tokugawa Mausoleum and Reihokan Museum.
7. Discover the Danjo Garan Complicated
Apart from Okunoin, the Danjo Garan Complex is crucial space in Koyasan. When Kobo Daishi based Koyasan, that is the place he constructed the training centre for Shingon esoteric Buddhism. It’s nonetheless energetic as we speak.
There are eight buildings within the complicated, Konpon Daito being essentially the most well-known one. This 49-metre-tall vermilion pagoda is likely one of the most iconic buildings in Koyasan. It’s price going inside as its inside is much more lovely.
Different essential buildings yow will discover right here embrace the Kondo (Golden Corridor) and Miedo (Portrait Corridor). You’ll be able to simply spend an hour exploring the grounds.
Should you’d prefer to study extra concerning the sights in Koyasan, you may hire an audio information from the Koyasan Central Vacationer Info Centre. It solely prices 500 yen and will be returned the subsequent morning. Good for an in a single day keep!
8. Go to the Reihokan Museum
Because of many fires in Koyasan over the centuries, many artworks and treasures have been misplaced. This museum was based in 1921, as a spot to carry crucial items of artwork save. Yow will discover over 78,000 items right here, 21 of that are Nationwide Treasures.
9. Go to the Tokugawa Reidai (Mausoleum)
The third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, constructed this mausoleum in 1643 for his father and grandfather. He wished it to be near Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum, the explanation he picked Koyasan.
Yow will discover two similar buildings right here, one for Iemitsu’s father and one for his grandfather. They give the impression of being similar to the closely embellished Toshogu Shrine in Nikko – the place yow will discover Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum.
The buildings are lovely and positively price a go to. The temple we stayed in, Rengejoin, is positioned proper subsequent to the Tokugawa Mausoleum – making it the proper spot to go to within the morning earlier than heading to Okunoin.
Easy methods to Get to Koyasan from Osaka
It’s very simple to get to Koyasan from Osaka. You should utilize the Nankai Railway line from Namba or Shin-Imamiya Station in Osaka to get to Gokurakubashi Station. The Categorical or Speedy Categorical practice will get you there in round 90–100 minutes. Whereas the Restricted Categorical line will get you there in round 80 (this line prices additional).
From Gokurakubashi Station, you may switch to the cable automobile that may take you up Mount Koya. It solely takes about 5 minutes. From right here, you may get on the bus that may take you to the city centre.
The scenic practice journey to Koyasan from Osaka is one thing to be totally loved. The practice slowly climbs the mountain via dense forests and small villages, providing you with a shocking view of the Wakayama mountainscape. Although the journey took over 1.5 hours, it flew by with views like these.
To save cash, you may look into getting the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket (we did!). It features a return ticket from Osaka to Koyasan (together with the cable automobile), limitless bus journey in Koyasan and a few additional reductions. Since a return ticket from Osaka to Koyasan already prices greater than the Heritage Ticket, it’s 100% price getting.
Easy methods to Get Round Koyasan
Koyasan is kind of small. The entire city is round two by three kilometres large. And because the streets are fairly flat, it’s simple to stroll round the city centre. We walked to a lot of the sights throughout our in a single day keep right here. Nonetheless, because it was February (and fairly chilly!), the buses have been an ideal different to strolling.
Three bus strains join all components of the city. From Koyasan Station, one bus line reaches to Okunoin, whereas one other line can take you to the Daimon Gate. The third bus line connects Okunoin with the Daimon Gate.
When you’ve got the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket, you should use all buses without cost. Merely scan it on the entrance of the bus when getting off.
Is Koyasan Value Visiting?
Should you’re curious about historical past and spirituality, Koyasan is unquestionably price visiting. From Osaka, Koyasan is fairly simple to get to in beneath two hours. The city is stuffed with historical past and is likely one of the finest locations in Japan to remain in a single day in an energetic Buddhist temple.
Okunoin is likely one of the most lovely locations I’ve visited, and the distinctive expertise of staying with the monks in a temple will stick with me for years to return.
Nonetheless, earlier than visiting Koyasan, I do suppose it’s essential to learn up concerning the city’s historical past, Kobo Daishi and Shingon Buddhism (hopefully, this text has helped thus far!). With out understanding a number of the fundamental data, visiting the temples and cemetery in Koyasan will not be as impactful because it might be.
I put numerous analysis into visiting locations once I write about them, and Koyasan was no exception. Whereas understanding extra concerning the locations you go to all the time helps improve the expertise, I believe understanding extra about Koyasan earlier than my keep right here made an excellent greater distinction than I anticipated.
Including the evening tour of Okunoin to your Koyasan itinerary can be one thing I might extremely advocate. The monk who guided us via the cemetery instructed us so many unimaginable tales – I realized so many issues I wasn’t capable of finding on-line or learn in guidebooks.
How A lot Time Ought to You Spend in Koyasan?
To totally expertise Koyasan, it’s finest to remain at least one evening. This provides you an opportunity to remain in a single day in a Buddhist temple, get a glimpse of the day by day lives of the monks and have sufficient time to go to Okunoin and different well-known sights with out having to hurry.
Staying in a single day additionally provides you an opportunity to hitch the Okunoin evening tour – top-of-the-line issues I did throughout my keep in Koyasan.
When staying in a single day in Koyasan, it’s finest to go away your large baggage in Osaka if potential. You are able to do this at a baggage locker on the station for just a few hundred yen.
When you can typically drop off your baggage on the temple earlier than check-in time, attending to Koyasan with baggage and making your method to the temple on the bus generally is a enormous wrestle. Save your self (and others on public transport) the trouble and take a backpack together with your in a single day necessities as an alternative!
Seeing all of the sights in Koyasan (Okunoin and the principle temples) takes round 4 to 5 hours. So it’s potential to do it as a day journey, however you’d be lacking out on the temple keep (Shukubo), which is what makes a visit to Koyasan so particular.
Can You Do a Day Journey to Koyasan?
From Osaka, it takes beneath two hours to get to Koyasan. And because it solely actually takes round 4 to 5 hours to see all the principle sights in Koyasan, visiting on a day journey is feasible. Nonetheless, taking a day journey to Koyasan means you’d miss out on top-of-the-line issues to do in Koyasan: staying at a Buddhist temple (or Shukubo).
Shukubo is the finest method to totally get pleasure from Koyasan. You’ll be able to get pleasure from temple stays in different places in Japan, however Koyasan is by far the most effective and best place to take action. It made the entire go to so distinctive and particular to me – and it’s one thing I’d extremely advocate.
However I perceive that it’s not all the time potential relying in your price range and itinerary.
When deciding whether or not or to not add Koyasan to your Japan itinerary (as a day journey or not), it’s important to take into consideration your pursuits. Personally, I’m a giant fan of the religious aspect of Japan and having visited Japan a number of occasions, I’m on the outlook for issues to do in Japan off the principle touristy tracks. Koyasan suits this completely!
Both means, Okunoin in the course of the day has been one in all my favorite sights in Japan. And despite the fact that I did keep in a single day in one in all Koyasan’s temples, I nonetheless suppose I might’ve loved visiting the city on a day journey if that might’ve labored higher for my schedule. Plus, with the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket, you may simply make your means right here and again.
Conclusion – Finest Issues to Do in Koyasan
Visiting Koyasan was such a deal with, and I hope that this information has helped you put together to your personal go to too. Having fun with a keep on the Buddhist temple, studying extra about Shingon Buddhism and strolling via Japan’s largest cemetery at evening are experiences that I’ll always remember.
I used to be very impressed by this lovely city, and I hope to return sooner or later for an additional keep. Hopefully throughout Autumn, because the Go to Wakayama consultant instructed me it’s the most effective time to go to – particularly with the attractive maple bushes turning orange and crimson.
Should you’ve visited Koyasan earlier than or are planning to go to it quickly, I’d love to listen to from you within the feedback or my Japan Facebook Group!
