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Road trip from Osaka · About 1 hr 45 by car
Mt Koya
Koyasan (Mt Koya) is a mountaintop temple town founded 1,200 years ago by the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the centre of Shingon Buddhism and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than a hundred temples fill a high valley, and many offer overnight temple lodging.
The highlight is Okunoin, Japan's largest cemetery: a 2 km path through giant cedars lined with moss-covered graves and lanterns. Most car parks in town are free, which makes driving easy once you are up the mountain.
Where to go
1Okunoin 奥之院About 2 km of stone path through ancient cedars and some 200,000 graves and memorials, leading to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum.1.5–2 hr · Free, open 24 hoursMap ↗
2Kongobu-ji 金剛峯寺Head temple of Shingon Buddhism, with painted sliding doors and Japan's largest rock garden.45 min–1 hr · Adult ¥1,000, elementary ¥300Map ↗
3Danjo Garan & Konpon Daito 壇上伽藍 根本大塔The central temple complex, crowned by the bright vermilion, 45 m Konpon Daito pagoda.1 hr · Grounds free; Konpon Daito and Kondo ¥500 eachMap ↗
4Daimon Gate 大門The huge traditional west gate to Koyasan, with views over the mountains.20 min · FreeMap ↗
A day there
- 8:00Leave south Osaka; about 1 hr 45 min to Koyasan
- 9:45Stop at Daimon Gate for the view
- 10:15Danjo Garan and the Konpon Daito pagoda
- 11:30Kongobu-ji, then a shojin ryori or goma-dofu lunch
- 13:30Park at Nakanohashi and walk Okunoin to the mausoleum
- 16:00Head down the mountain before dark
What to eat
Shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cooking)Temple lodgings (shukubo) and restaurants along the main street
Goma-dofu (sesame tofu)Shops along Koyasan's main street
Yaki-mochi (grilled rice cakes)Near Okunoin and on the main street
With kids
The Okunoin cedar forest feels like an adventure for older children, but it is a long walk. Children pay reduced prices at Kongobu-ji.
Good to know
- Drive down in daylight; the last part of Route 480 is narrow and twisting.
- From late autumn to early spring, check road conditions for snow and ice before setting out.
- A ¥2,500 combination ticket (via the Koyasan Shukubo Association) covers Kongobu-ji, the Kondo, Konpon Daito, the Tokugawa Mausoleum and the Reihokan museum.