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How to get to Koyasan, Japan

Location: Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Part of: Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

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

Koyasan is most conveniently accessed by Nankai Railways from Osaka’s Namba or Shin-Imamiya Stations. Take the Nankai Koya Line from either station to the Gokurakubashi terminal station. A few limited express trains operate directly to Gokurakubashi (80 minutes, 1680 yen, five trains per day).

Danjo Garan Temple in Koyasan

Just a short 10-minute walk from Daimon Gate, we find the first and one of the most impressive temples in Koyasan, the Danjo Garan. With its 45-meter tall two-story red and white Japanese Tahoto-style grand pagoda, the Konpon Daito, it’s hard to miss this temple in the center of town.

Opening Hours Danjo Garan Temple: 24 hrs

Entrance Fee Danjo Garan Temple: free of charge

Opening Hours Konpon Daito Pagoda & Kondo Hall: 08.30 am – 05 pm

Opening Hours Konpon Daito Pagoda & Kondo Hall: 500 Yen (ca. $ 3,50) per attraction or 2500 Yen (ca. $ 18) for Koyasan-Ticket.

How long from Osaka to Koyasan?

The best way to get from Osaka to Kōya San is to train via Hashimoto(Wakayama) which takes 2h 18m and costs ¥1500 – ¥4300. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs ¥3500 – ¥3700 and takes 3h 51m.

How to get to Koyasan?

The easiest way is to travel to Koyasan is from Osaka. From Osaka, you can take a train from Namba train station to Gokurakubashi several times a day. From there, the cable car continues to Koyasan, which is about 800 meters above sea level. It is advisable to buy the Koyasanticket at the Namba station for 2860 Yen (about 23 Euros), which includes round-trip and a bus flat on site.