Mt. Koya & Kongobuji Temple
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Port
Wakayama, Japan
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$290
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Explore the spiritual side of Wakayama Prefecture with a trio of ancient and sacred sites: Okunoin Temple surrounded by Mount Koya; Kongobuji Temple for Koyasan Buddhism; and Garan, one of the first complexes built by Kobo Daishi in the 9th century. Clustered in the picturesque countryside around Mount Koya, the temples offer a serene way to spend the day.
Follow the pathway along mausoleums and enotaphs, to the more than 1,000-year-old Okunoin Temple. Nestled in a beautiful and peaceful forest and surrounded by Japan's largest cemetery, the temple is home to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. At Okunoin, photography with cameras or smartphones is prohibited beyond Gobyo Bridge, and visitors are required to remove their hats. This is because the area beyond the bridge is considered the sacred domain and spiritual realm of Kobo Daishi. Additionally, it is said that the flame inside the hall* has been kept burning continuously for over 1,000 years.
The Kongobuji Temple, contains many beautiful painted sliding doors and extravagant receiving rooms.
It was at the Danjo Garan Temple that Daishi established a school of the Shingon sect in AD 819. There are nearly 20 structures clustered around the striking main pagoda, which serves as the symbol of Mount Koya.
Please note:
Wear comfortable shoes. You will be required to take off your shoes will at one or more locations. No photography permitted inside the building of Danjo Garan, after Gobyono-bashi (main building area) and part of Kongo-buji temple (inside room). Please dress modestly ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. This tour involves a substantial number of steps and uphill walking at Mt, Koya area; the tour is not considered suitable for passengers with walking difficulties or guests with mobility limitations. The coach cannot accommodate scooters. No guarantee is offered regarding visibility or views on any day, as weather and atmospheric conditions vary and are beyond the tour operator’s control. Please bring local currency (Japanese yen) for additional purchases. Tour order may vary.
* For Seabourn Encore's visit on 18 March 2025:- Due to the deterioration of the Toro-do (Lantern Hall), renovation work will begin in November 2024 at the Okunoin Toro-do and is expected to finish by August 2025. During this time, the Toro-do will be inaccessible.