Journey to the high mountain plateau where 117 temples offer a sanctuary from the modern world.
200,000 tombstones under a canopy of ancient cedar trees.
The Hall of Lanterns. Over 10,000 lanterns are kept eternally lit here, including two said to have been burning for over 900 years.
Follow the 2km path to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Believers say he is not dead, but in eternal meditation for the salvation of all beings.
Experience the cemetery by lantern-light. Guided by monks, you'll hear the legends of the mountain under the shadow of the tall pines.
Stay as a guest in one of 50+ temples. Wake at 6:00 AM for the morning fire ceremony (Goma) and sutra chanting with the monks.
Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. It emphasizes the "Rule of Five" five colors, five flavors, and five preparation methods. Try the Koya-tofu, a freeze-dried delicacy born on this mountain.
Traveler Tip
Rent an audio guide at the English-friendly tourist center near the bus stop.
This is the central temple complex where Kobo Daishi first began teaching. It is dominated by the **Konpon Daito**, a magnificent 45-meter tall vermilion pagoda that represents the center of a lotus flower covering all of Japan.
The head temple of Shingon Buddhism, featuring the Banryutei Rock Garden—the largest in Japan, representing two dragons emerging from a sea of clouds.
A massive wooden hall where major religious ceremonies are held. It has been rebuilt seven times, symbolizing the eternal nature of the teachings.
Standing beneath the Great Pagoda, the vibrant orange-red color is meant to stir the soul. Inside, a rare 3D mandala composed of five gilded statues of the Buddha offers a visual representation of the cosmos.
Coordinates
34.2135° N, 135.5801° E
Early to mid-May. Due to the altitude, Koyasan’s cherry blossoms bloom much later than Osaka, offering a second chance to see the pink petals against ancient temple wood.
July - August. Escape the sweltering heat of the plains. The mountain stays 5-8°C cooler, and the frequent mist turns the Okunoin cemetery into a vibrant, neon-green moss sanctuary.
Late October to early November. The Koyasan skyline turns a fiery crimson. The "Maple Tunnel" leading to the Danjo Garan is one of the most photographed spots in Japan.
January - February. Koyasan is blanketed in heavy snow. The sound of chanting monks echoing through the crisp, frozen air is the ultimate spiritual experience.
Koyasan sits 800m above sea level. Always pack a layer, even in summer.
Deep Snow.
Ethereal & Silent.
Late Sakura.
Fresh blossoms.
Cool Escape.
Lush green moss.
Fire Maples.
Peak Pilgrimage.
The monastic day begins before the sun clears the cedar peaks. Follow the rhythm of the mountain.
Wake to the deep vibration of the temple bell. Witness the intense Goma Fire Ceremony—where wooden prayers are consumed by flames to destroy obstacles and purify the spirit for the day ahead.
For those arriving, the Nankai Cable Car breaks through the mist. Drop your belongings at your temple and head to the **Danjo Garan** to witness the great vermilion pagoda in the morning light.
Dine at a local specialty shop like **Hanabishi**. Sample Goma-dofu (sesame tofu) prepared with mountain spring water and served as a savory, silk-smooth meditation.
Temples serve vegetarian dinners early. Afterward, soak in the temple's medicinal bath, often infused with cedar oils to relax the body before the evening pilgrimage.
The final act of the day. Walk the 2km path through 200,000 monuments. Lit only by stone lanterns, the forest becomes a gateway to the Hall of Eternal Lanterns.
Take the Nankai Koya Line from Osaka's Namba Station to Gokurakubashi. Then, take the 5-minute cable car up the mountain. The JR Pass does not cover the Nankai Line.
We highly recommend the Koyasan World Heritage Pass. It covers your round-trip train from Osaka, the cable car, and unlimited bus travel on the mountain for two days.
Five curiosities that make Koyasan a world unlike any other.
In Okunoin, you'll find monuments built by companies like UCC Coffee and Panasonic to honor employees and even "the souls of all the termites killed by pest control."
Despite having the world's most famous cemetery, there are no private graveyards for the 3,000 residents. Locals are traditionally buried in family plots elsewhere.
The "Kiezu-no-hi" flame at Reihokan has been burning for over 1,200 years. It was supposedly used to light the atomic flame in Hiroshima's Peace Park.
Every day at 6:00 AM and 10:30 AM, monks carry ritual meals to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, as he is believed to still be alive in meditation.
The cable car that brings you up the mountain rises 328 meters in just 5 minutes, at a steep 56% gradient, one of the steepest in Japan.
Koyasan is a sanctuary protected by geography. Reaching the plateau is a three-stage pilgrimage of engineering and endurance.
Depart from Osaka’s **Namba Station**. Take the "Limited Express Koya" for a direct 90-minute run, or the Express train for a 120-minute journey to **Gokurakubashi**.
Note: JR Pass is not valid on this private line.
At Gokurakubashi, board the **Koyasan Cable Car**. In just 5 minutes, you will rise 328 meters up a 56% gradient, passing through the clouds to reach the mountain station.
Tip: Sit at the very front for a dizzying view of the ascent.
Walking is prohibited on the main access road from the station. Board the bus (10-15 mins) to reach **Senjuinbashi**, the central crossroads for all temples and Shukubo.
Arrival: You are now within the Sacred Highlands.
Essential for pilgrims. This pass covers the round-trip train from Osaka, the cable car, and **unlimited bus travel** on the mountain for two days. It also includes discounts for entry to the Kongobuji Head Temple and the Reihokan Museum.
While the night walk is the heart of the Koyasan experience, do not be lulled into a false sense of city-time. The **last bus from the Okunoin-mae stop back to the town center typically departs before 7:00 PM**.
Independent Tip: If you miss the bus, walk the paved main road rather than the forest path.
Carry a small torch (flashlight) if you plan to stay past the 6:00 PM bells.
From the flickering light of 100,000 candles to the frozen silence of February—choose your moment carefully.
This is the absolute peak of Koyasan. Over **100,000 candles** are placed along the 2km path of Okunoin to welcome back the souls of the ancestors. It is breathtakingly beautiful, but temples are booked out a year in advance and the paths are wall-to-wall people.
The birthday of Kobo Daishi. The quiet monastic town transforms with a colorful parade, flower-decorated floats, and traditional dancing. It draws large domestic crowds from Osaka and Wakayama.
While the rest of Japan is entering the rainy season, Koyasan remains crisp. The **late-blooming Sakura** on the mountain plateau usually peaks in early to mid-May, and the crowds are significantly thinner than during the autumn maple season.
For those seeking the *true* monastic silence. The mountain is blanketed in snow, and tourists are almost non-existent. You will have the Torodo Hall and the Garan pagodas to yourself, echoing only with the sound of distant sutras.
Avoid: Golden Week (Early May) and Silver Week (Late Sept). Day-trippers from Osaka make the narrow forest paths feel like city subways.
Koyasan is not a museum; it is a living monastery. To walk here is to participate in a 1,200-year-old meditation.
When entering the Okunoin cemetery via the first bridge (Ichinohashi), it is customary to perform a **Gassho** (pressing hands together) and a deep bow. This shows respect to Kobo Daishi, as you are entering his personal sanctuary. Repeat this when leaving.
After 8:00 PM, the town falls into an absolute, heavy silence. In a Shukubo (temple stay), walls are often made of paper (**Fusuma**). Whispering is not just polite—it is the local law. The mountain expects you to listen to the forest, not yourself.
During the **Goma Fire Rite**, photography is often strictly forbidden. The monks believe the flash and the digital shutter disrupt the flow of the fire prayers. Put the camera away; the ritual is meant to be etched into your memory, not your sensor.
When crossing bridges in Okunoin, always walk on the **left side**. According to tradition, Kobo Daishi walks on the right side to greet every pilgrim. Walking on the right is considered "stepping on the path of the master."
"To truly experience Koyasan, stop trying to see everything. Sit on a mossy bench in Okunoin for twenty minutes without a phone. The mountain only speaks when you are quiet enough to hear it."
"We are currently translating the fire ceremonies of Ekoin and the seasonal flavors of the Koya plateau to build the most soulful guide for your 2026 pilgrimage."
The incense is burning. The guide is coming soon. Stay with us.
A Note to our Guests
Gassho. Thank you for seeking the path with us. We hope Koyasan brings you the peace you are looking for.
— The Koyasan Travel Team