A sacred mountain city of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism with over 1,200 years of history

📍 Basic Information

🏝 Name: Mount Koya
📮 Location: Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture (northern Wakayama, a basin surrounded by mountains)
⏰ Visiting Hours: Varies by temple and facility (e.g., Okunoin has specific reception hours)
🚗 Access: Nankai Koya Line → Cable Car → Mount Koya Station → Bus to various locations

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✨ Highlights

Founded in 816 by Kobo Daishi Kukai, Mount Koya is a sacred site of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism that has flourished as a center of faith for over 1,200 years.

The mountain basin is home to a "religious city" with a cluster of temples. There are 117 sub-temples and branch temples, many of which offer temple lodging, making traditional culture a part of daily life here.

Key attractions include Kongobu-ji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Okunoin. Cultural treasures such as the Main Hall, Great Pagoda, Reihokan Museum, and Tokugawa Mausoleum are scattered throughout the area.

Okunoin is the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, with a path lined with tombstones of historical warlords and aristocrats. Admission is free in certain areas, and visitors can walk the path to the mausoleum.

Post by futaritabi | Sep 30, 2025