Koyasan (Mount Koya) is a sacred town located high in the mountains. It’s one of the most unique places in Japan that I’ve been lucky enough to visit several times. Here, you can escape the crowds, meditate, and even spend the night in a real temple with monks. In 2004, Koyasan was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2009, it received three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Things to do in Koyasan, how to get there, and what makes it so unique — I’ll tell you all about it in this article.
Where to stay in Koyasan
What is shukubo and which one to choose
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon, one of the major Buddhist schools in Japan. Pilgrims come here from all over the country. Therefore, there are no regular hotels in Koyasan. If you plan to stay here overnight, look for accommodation in one of the temples – shukubo.
Shukubo is similar in concept to a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan), where you sleep on the floor (on a futon) and share a common bath and toilet. The main difference is that here you can attend the early morning prayers (often at 6 or 7 a.m.), and all meals are vegetarian. Be sure to book a plan that includes both breakfast and dinner – temple cuisine is delicious!
Shukubo is a great opportunity to experience a small part of monks’ culture and daily life. Surprisingly, it’s not without modern comforts. You can often pay for your stay by credit card (though it’s best to confirm this with your temple in advance), and the rooms usually come equipped with a TV, a safe, a heater, and even internet access.
A few recommendations of temples where you can stay on your trip:
ALSO READ: What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Japan
Etiquette in shukubo (temple lodging)
Shukubo is not just a place to sleep and eat. Here, you can take meditation lessons, visit an onsen, admire the beauty of nature in the garden, and relax both body and mind. It’s a chance to disconnect from the rush of everyday life and reflect on something good. Koyasan is a place of peace, energy, and reflection. You won’t be alone in the temple, so it’s important to follow a few basic rules:
- Do not make noise, shout, or disturb other guests. Wooden Japanese buildings have excellent acoustics, so sound travels easily.
- Do not walk on tatami mats in shoes – they are difficult to clean and expensive to replace. You’ll be given slippers to wear in the hallways, but remember to switch to special toilet slippers when you go to the restroom. Don’t question it – that’s just the Japanese way.
- Shukubo rooms don’t have private showers – everything is quite simple and modest. You’ll bathe either in shared washrooms or in an onsen. Before entering the onsen, make sure to rinse yourself thoroughly with the water from the taps nearby. Keep in mind that in Japan, most onsens, pools, and traditional inns do not allow guests with tattoos to enter.
- Don’t be late for the morning prayer. Photography and video are not allowed. Wear something warm as it’s usually quite cold inside early in the morning.
- At night, the shukubo attendants lay out the futons for you while you’re out of your room. In the morning, they tidy them up again while you’re having breakfast in the communal hall.
What to see and do in Koyasan
Koyasan is quite a small town, and you can see all its main attractions in just one day. However, if you’re planning to go hiking, join meditation sessions, or take part in other temple activities, it’s best to stay at least two days.
Daimon Gate.
The giant 25-meter-high Daimon Gate serves as the official entrance to Koyasan. It’s the first thing pilgrims see when they reach the mountaintop after walking the 24-kilometer Choishi-michi pilgrimage trail. The gate was rebuilt in 1705 after a fire. On both sides stand imposing guardian statues that protect Koyasan from evil.
Like in front of any other Japanese temple gate, you must bow here.
Danjo Garan Temple
According to legend, when the Japanese monk Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) returned home from his travels in China, he struggled to decide where to establish a Buddhist school and share his teachings. Trusting in divine guidance, Kukai threw a ceremonial vajra (a small trident-shaped ritual object) into the sky and decided to build his temple at the place where it would land.
Oddly enough, this place turned out to be a pine tree at the top of the mountain. Here in 816, Kobo Daishi founded Koyasan and built the Danjo Garan temple. There are about 25 towers, halls, and other religious sites within the temple complex. Pilgrims visit them all and pay tribute in a special order. You can enter some of them by paying a small fee of a few hundred yen – so be sure to bring cash!
Kongobuji Temple
Originally, the name “Kongobu-ji” referred to the entire Mount Koya area. Today, it is used for Koyasan’s main temple, which also serves as the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. Be sure to go inside – it’s truly worth a visit!
The temple preserves stunning painted panels and a massive traditional kitchen. The Kongobu-ji Stone Garden is considered the largest in Japan. 140 granite stones mark the two dragons floating out of the sea to the clouds. Only the enlightened can recognize the sacred guardians.
The original temple was built here in 1593, then rebuilt in 1863. And in 1869 it was merged with another one and renamed Kongobudzi. Only the main gate remains from 1593.
Okunoin Cemetery
Okunoin Cemetery is the largest in Japan, home to more than 200,000 graves of Buddhist monks who, according to legend, await the resurrection of the next Buddha. A scenic two kilometer path runs through the cemetery, surrounded by towering cedar trees and centuries of spiritual history.
Look around and you’ll notice many identical monuments. The Buddhist stupa gorintō always consists of five sections, each representing one of the five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and void (space). It symbolizes the idea that all forms, including our own bodies, are composed of these elements and eventually return to them – a reminder of impermanence and spiritual liberation.
Being buried in Koyasan Cemetery is considered a great honor, so even successful corporations purchase plots of land to create collective company graves commemorating their top employees. The obelisks shaped like coffee cups or rockets – those are theirs.
At the end of the cemetery stands a hall illuminated by 10,000 lanterns and the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Koyasan. Monks believe he is still alive and bring him meals twice a day. The Shojin ceremony has been performed at 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every day for over a thousand years. Once you cross the Gobyo-bashi Bridge on the way to the mausoleum, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited.
I suggest going to the cemetery in daylight if possible and additionally taking a night tour. Information on this website.
Download: A detailed itinerary of Japan in 2 weeks
Ajikan meditation
Ajikan is a form of breathing and meditation practice in Shingon Buddhism. In Koyasan, you can try it either at Kongobu-ji Temple or at your own shukubo (ask if they offer it). The session usually lasts 40-60 minutes and is an excellent way to calm the mind and take a break from the rush of everyday life. Before meditation, monks explain the secrets of the practice to beginners. The cost is typically between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.
- Ajikan at Kongobuji: held in the rock garden, several times a day. You can sign up online or at the entrance. In japanese only.
- Аджикан в сюкубо Ekoin Temple: каждый день с 4.30 дня. Бесплатно для гостей сюкубо. Также можно заплатить и записаться онлайн, если вы не останавливаетесь в этом храме.
Rewriting the shakyo sutras
Shakyo is a Buddhist practice that has been performed in Japan since the 7th century. It involves hand-copying sutras using ink and a calligraphy brush. Today, shakyo is often used as a form of meditation to clear the mind and relax. You trace the characters on paper – they’re already printed faintly – one by one, from top to bottom and right to left. Each sutra contains the teachings of the Buddha. If you’re curious, try translating them with Google Translate or look them up online. The experience usually costs between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.
Where to try shakyo in Koyasan:
- Koyasan Daishi Church
- В храме Koyasan Saizen-in – информация по ссылке
- В храме Ekoin Temple – информация по ссылке
Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy
In Japan, shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or forest therapy) is a popular mindfulness practice that involves slow, meditative walks through the forest to relieve stress. You take in the scenery, breathe in the forest’s natural aromas, and enjoy the sounds and textures of trees and plants. It’s believed that this technique helps restore both physical and mental energy by engaging all five senses. Mount Koya is an ideal place for practicing shinrin-yoku. In fact, it was officially certified as a “Forest Therapy Base” in 2007 – a recognition given to locations with scientifically proven healing environments.
You can sign up for a tour with a professional forest therapy guide or walk a few trails on your own.
If you want something more active, Koyasan has some pretty challenging trails for pilgrims.
Where to eat in Koyasan
What is shojin-ryori and where to try it
Shingon Buddhism encourages vegetarianism but doesn’t require strict adherence to it. In Koyasan, you’ll find a few restaurants that serve beef and chicken, but most places are vegetarian.
Japanese vegetarian temple cuisine is called shojin-ryori and is part of the monks’ spiritual practices. In most Buddhist traditions, the number five has great significance. That’s why shojin-ryori usually has five or more dishes. They are prepared according to special rules and traditions.
- Excludes meat, fish and five spicy vegetables like garlic and onions.
- Food should combine delicate flavor, health benefits, and aesthetic beauty.
- They aim to balance five colors, five flavors, five cooking methods, and the five natural elements.
The best way to try shōjin ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) is to stay overnight at a shukubo and book both dinner and breakfast. Trust me – it will be the most delicious vegetarian food you’ve ever tasted.
Tofu Cafe Kadohama Gomatofu
Tofu is one of Japan’s most popular foods. It’s made by curdling soy milk – much like the process of making cheese or cottage cheese. On its own, tofu is almost flavorless – but when prepared properly with sauces and seasonings, it becomes absolutely delicious! Tofu is rich in protein and absolutely essential in vegetarian cuisine.
In Koyasan, there’s a restaurant where every dish features tofu – Kadohama Gomatofu. I highly recommend trying their assorted lunch set. It’s beautifully presented on a tray with different varieties of tofu, allowing you to taste several preparation styles. The meal is quite pricey, but it’s an interesting experience.
READ MORE: 27 Ways to Save Money in Japan
Useful Information
How to get to Koyasan from Osaka
Traveling from Osaka to Koyasan by public transportation will take about 2.5 hours. Travel early.
- From Osaka, you need Shin-Imamiya Express to Gokurakubashi Station – local train (not included in JR Pass). At Shin-Imamiya Station, take the train + cable car ticket. The cost is about 2000 yen
- At Gokurakubashi station, transfer to the cable car (you should have already bought a ticket).
- After the cable car, there are buses to Koyasan.
At the bus station, look for the information window and ask which platform the next bus to Koyasan departs from. They’ll also give you a colorful map showing all the temples, cafés, and clear instructions on how to use the local buses.. Prepare coins and small bills for the bus.
You can also take a cab from Osaka, costing about 35,000 yen.
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How to get to Koyasan from Kyoto
From Kyoto to Koyasan, you take roughly the same route as from Osaka. From Kyoto Station to Osaka Station, change to the Osaka Loop Line to Shin-Imamiya Station. These two trains are covered by the JR Pass. Next is to Gokurakubashi Station, cable car and bus.
In good weather, you can also hike a few kilometers from Gokurakubashi Station by the trail (instead of the cable car and bus).
READ ALSO: 10 Kyoto places every traveler should see
When is the best time to go?
Mount Koya is not high, only 800 meters, but the temperature at the top differs from Osaka and Kyoto by several degrees. You can check the current weather here.
The peak tourist season in Koyasan falls between late October and November, when many visitors come to admire the red momiji (autumn maple leaves).
I’d recommend visiting in spring – around late March to early April. There are fewer tourists, the weather is already pleasant, and shukubo accommodation prices are more reasonable.
For a detailed calendar, when is the best time to visit Japan and many other useful things, look for my Japan itinerary & guide.
