The Sacred Mountain Preserved by Time: Mount Koya

If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of city life and yearn for a journey to soothe your soul, make sure to add "Mount Koya" to your Japan travel list. This is not just a mountain, but a serene and solemn journey through time.

⛩️ A Millennium-Old Spiritual Sanctuary: The Realm of Master Kukai
Located in the northern part of Wakayama Prefecture, Mount Koya is the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. In 816 AD, Master Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) established his practice here, and the site has a history spanning over 1,200 years. Mount Koya is essentially a religious city nestled in a highland basin surrounded by mountains, home to over 100 temples.

You're not just visiting a tourist spot; you're stepping into the heart of Japanese Buddhist culture.

🌳 Okunoin
This is the most sacred site on Mount Koya and the highlight of any visit. Walking along the two-kilometer approach lined with tens of thousands of moss-covered gravestones is a tranquil and solemn experience. Here rest historical figures such as warlords Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as entrepreneur Konosuke Matsushita.

The path leads to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, who is said to have entered eternal meditation rather than passing away, continuously praying for all beings.

⏱ Recommended Visit Duration: 1.5 hours
📷 Photography Tip: Visit at dusk for a mystical interplay of light and shadow among the trees and stone lanterns.

🛕 Kongobu-ji Temple
The head temple of Shingon Buddhism. Its "Banryutei" garden is the largest rock garden in Japan, symbolizing the lotus flower and twin dragons. Inside the temple, you can sit down for matcha tea while listening to monks softly explain Buddhist teachings.

This is not just a religious site but also a treasure trove of cultural and artistic heritage.

🏯 Danjo Garan
A temple complex seemingly floating amidst the forest, this is where Master Kukai first began his practice. The striking vermilion "Konpon Daito" pagoda is one of Mount Koya's iconic landmarks.

Whether it's cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn leaves, or winter snow, Danjo Garan offers a unique atmosphere in every season.

🍵 One Night, One Meal, One Mind
If time permits, a temple stay is highly recommended.

We chose "Fukuchiin," where we stayed in a traditional room with tatami mats and sliding paper doors. Dinner was a meticulously prepared "shojin ryori" (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), simple yet ceremonial. At night, we joined a chanting session, and the next morning, woke to the sound of temple bells, as if transported back a thousand years.