Koyasan (Mount Koya)

Koyasan was opened in 816 by Reverend Kobo (Kukai). It is Shingon Esoteric Buddhism’s holy land centered around Kongobu-ji Temple. The basin at 800m-high, surrounded by 1,000m-tall mountains, hosts a religious town all of which is on the temple’s premises.

Danjo Garan has Japan’s first two-storied pagoda and Koyasan’s symbol, Konpon Daito. Okunoin keeps Reverend Kobo’s mausoleum. There are many more sites worth seeing which reflect the 1200-year history. Kongobu-ji and its approach are designated as the world heritage “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” along with Kumano, Yoshino, and Omine. Of the 117 temples on Koyasan, 51 of them are available as lodgings for visitors. You can experience trainings there such as copying sutras and Goma prayer rituals, as well as vegetarian meals. Spend a rare time which is unique to Koyasan.

Summer is shorter on Koyasan than on the valley, and leaves begin changing colors in early October. The peak is between late October and early November when you can appreciate a temple tour and fall foliage together.