158747Mount Koya from Osaka to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

158747

Mount Koya from Osaka to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Mount Koya from Osaka to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Location: Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect that was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan’s most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect’s headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan’s wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Koyasan, or Mount Koya, is a mountaintop sanctuary in Wakayama Prefecture and the center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. The holy forest is home to a small community of over 100 temples and monasteries, which provide guests with opportunities to immerse themselves in Buddhist practices.

Kobo Daishi began construction on the original Garan temple complex in 826 after wandering the country for years in search of a suitable place to center his religion. Since then over one hundred temples have sprung up along the streets of Koyasan. The most important among them are Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, and Okunoin, the site of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.

Mount Kōya is a large temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan to the south of Osaka. In the strictest sense, Mount Kōya is the mountain name of Kongōbu-ji Temple, the ecclesiastical headquarters of the Kōyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Wikipedia

Things to do

Okunoin Temple and Graveyard (FREE)

A massive graveyard with all sorts of interesting statues, graves and other structures. The temple at the end, surrounded by the forest, is wonderful. Get the bus to Okunoin-mae.

Open: All day
Cost: Free

Kanpon Daito Temple

A huge red temple. Enter at the front to check out the gold statues inside. Get the bus to Daito-mae or Kondo-mae.

Open: 8:30-17:00
Cost: 200 yen

Kondo Hall

A nice contrast to the other buildings in the area. Interesting Buddhist statues and ornaments inside. Next to Kanpon Daito Temple.

Open: 8:30-17:00
Cost: 200 yen

Reihokan Museum

Full of Buddhist beautiful paintings, ornaments and culture from around Koyasan. Get the bus to Daito-mae or Kondo-mae.

Open: 8:30-17:00
Cost: Adults 600 yen, Children 350 yen

Daimon Gate (FREE)

This large gate is the entrance to the ancient Pilgrimage Trails (see below). Get the bus to Daimon.

Pilgrimage Trails (FREE)

The free tourist map has plenty of nice walking trails, so try a few out! For the most famous route (Koyasan Choishi Michi trail), get the bus to Daimon and walk through Daimon. The trail starts across the road on the other side.

Tokugawa Mausoleum

A small collection of very shiny and golden Buddhist ornaments. Get the bus to Namikiri-Fudo-mae.

Open: 8:30-17:00
Cost: 200 yen

Kongobuji Temple

The old home of a very wealthy man. Features lots of Japanese rooms with traditional paintings and carvings. Get the bus to Kongobuji-mae.

Open: 8:30-17:00
Cost: Adults 500 yen, Children 200 yen

How to get there:

From Namba Station:

Departure from Hotel to Namba station (Subway)
Namba station ⇒ Gokurakubashi station (Nankai Koya Line Rapi Express)
Gokurakubashi station ⇒ Koyasan Station (Cable car)
Koyasan station ⇒ Daimon (Local Bus)
Daimon, Konpon daito temple and Danjo garan temple

A round-trip ticket: (Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Koyasan Free Sabic)

You can take the Nankai Koya Line round trip between Osaka and Gokurakubashi at Mount Koya, and take the cable car between Gokuruba Station and Koyasan Station.
The regular version ticket is valid only on the Nankai Koya Line, excluding limited express trains.
The Limited Express Version ticket only covers the cost of the limited express ride from Osaka to Gokurakubashi (it does not cover the return leg to Osaka). an additional 780 yen
You cannot leave the station on the way.

Other Detail:

From Osaka to Koyasan: Time: 1hr 35min– 2hr 5min

Take the Nankai Koya Line from Nankai Namba Station or Shin-Imamiya Station to Gokurakubashi Station. There are some Limited Express trains that have direct routes (80 min & 1,650 yen), but the more common Local, Express, and Rapid express trains require transfers at Hashimoto Station (90-110 min & 870-890 yen).
From Gokurakubashi Station, transfer to Koyasan Cable Car, which will take you up to Koyasan Station in roughly 5 minutes (500 yen).
From there, the town’s center is about a 10-minute bus ride to Senjuinbashi bus stop (300 yen). source: japantravel

From Nankai Namba station

From Nankai Namba station (next to Namba subway station), take the Nankai Koya line to Gokurakubashi. You may need to change at Hashimoto. Also make sure your are in the front carriage, as the train sometimes splits at Hashimoto. Once at Gokurakubashi station take the cable car to the top. From here take the bus into Koyasan town.

The easy and cheap price can use

Kansai Thru Pass: this pass covers the Nankai Koya Line and provides unlimited use of trains, buses, and subways in the Kansai region, with the exception of JR trains. If purchased online or outside of Japan, two-day tickets cost 4,380 JPY, three-day tickets cost 5,400 JPY, and four-day tickets cost 6,420 JPY.

Map of Nankai Nanba Train: