2025 Koya Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

Japan Travel✈️ Almost forgot to share this super niche Kansai itinerary! 🤔 This one's for those who love off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences + food adventures, and might feel anxious about language barriers! 🚗Day 1: Departure - Osaka Direct flight from Shanghai to Kansai Airport (for those without direct flights, connecting flights can be arranged). To ease the stress for those less confident in language skills, we've arranged a Chinese-speaking driver for airport pickup! Check into hotels in Shinsaibashi area - this district has amazing hotels popping up constantly! From the Ritz-Carlton near Michelin-starred Kikunoi to the reasonably priced Hilton... Personally I prefer the all-black W Hotel! Located right on Shinsaibashi main street, just 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori - perfect for shopping and dining. 🚗Day 2: Osaka - Wakayama Don't miss the themed train experience here! The train cars feature adorable cat-themed paintings and decorations - even the stationmaster is a cat! The 30-minute ride offers views of Japanese countryside shrines and pastoral landscapes, giving strong "Kikujiro's Summer" vibes! Right outside the station stands Wakayama's landmark - Wakayama Castle's main keep! Then board our private Chinese-speaking guide's vehicle to visit Kimiidera Temple, watch the tuna cutting show at the seafood market, and enjoy various Japanese BBQ. After feasting, head straight to a seaside ryokan with hot springs! 🚗Day 3-6: Koya-san - Nara - Kyoto For a deeper Koya-san experience, try temple lodging (shukubo)! This temple represents Japanese aesthetics + aristocratic lifestyle with high status - money can't necessarily buy this experience. Spend the day accompanied by morning bells, evening drums, and ancient Buddhist rituals - the ultimate travel recharge! Next day stop by Nara! For lunch I recommend a teahouse serving Yamato cuisine. Then proceed to Kyoto hotels. This time I chose Four Seasons Kyoto - opposite Kyoto National Museum, next to Myohoji Temple, across from Shin-Hie Shrine, and within walking distance to Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka. Need I say more about why I picked this hotel? Kyoto is all about ancient temples and traditional/Michelin dining! My temple route: Nanzenji - Sanzenin - Kibune Shrine - Arashiyama. Kibune Shrine has special summer illuminations. Also try seasonal kawayuka dining on river platforms. Arashiyama offers boat rides, retro trains, hidden mountain Michelin vegetarian cuisine, and century-old wagashi making. Night walk to illuminated Yasaka Shrine for digestion! 🚗Day 7-8: Uji - Osaka Compact Uji can be explored in half a day - the golden Phoenix Hall at Byodoin, Uji River, vermilion torii gates, and irresistible matcha dessert street... Experiencing authentic Japanese culture without expensive tickets is my ideal travel scenario. Since Japanese summers get hot, we planned evening visits to Osaka Expo sites - besides daytime attractions, you get spectacular light shows and drone performances! Next day, with return flight at 17:45, there's still time for Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori/Umeda shopping!

#japantrip Koyasan, A world heritage sites & head temple of Shingon Buddhism. You can reach here by using Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass (buy at trip.com) only cause you 2000yen and you can use it to transfer to airport as well. The pass included cable car to Koyasan station. During the trip you have chance to look at the stunning view of koyasan and experience Japanese style temple and lifestyle. Getting There - Take Nankai Koyasan Line from Namba station to Hashimoto station then change line to Gokurakubashi Station and take cable to up to Koyasan station. These return trip transport is covered by the Nankai 2 day pass, then take bus to Daimon Gate which is starting point for the attraction. Attractions - Kongobu-ji Okuno-in, Kongobuji Temple, Daimon Gate Hotels - Experience extraordinary retreat in one of the 52 Temple offering accommodation Food & Restaurants - Experience Shojin Ryori, Buddhist style vegetarian cuisine for body and soul Shopping - Forget about shopping, do meditation or copying sutras to experience monk lifestyle #osaka #japan #wakayama #koyasan #nankaitrain

#Osaka Attractions Okunoin is considered a holy place of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Famous for its deep forests, ancient tombstones and solemn atmosphere, Okunoin attracts countless believers and tourists. On both sides of the approach to Oku-no-in Temple, there are thousands of stone lanterns and old trees, giving people a sense of the weight of history. In addition to its religious significance, Okunoin's natural landscape is also magnificent, changing with each season and each with its own unique features. Whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, fiery red leaves in autumn or blanketed in snow in winter, you can always feel its unique beauty whenever you visit. Okunoin is not only a place for spiritual practice, but also a great place to experience the harmony between Japanese culture and nature.

The larger purpose of the temple is to serve as the headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect. founded by the monk Kobo Daishi, whose mausoleum can be found at nearby Okunoin Temple. While it is architecturally satisfying from the outside, take off your shoes and step through the doors Very good experience to learn shingo buddhism intorduced by kobo daishi. 1000 yen to enter and see more sights but you can't take pictures in the inside, only the outer area like the rocks and greenery. Especially the garden, which is full of Zen #songkran2024#mytravelhacks#cherryblossom2024#historicallandmarks#localguides#familytrip#trip#instatravel#goodfoods#langkawi#foodphotography#chinatown#ipoh#temples#familyfun#siemreap#edinburgh#คาเฟ่ห้ามพลาด

#besttrip2023 CoStudio | Kongobu-ji Temple - A Shingon Buddhist Sacred Land Where Culture and Faith Intersect 🏯📜 Address: 132 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 648-0211 Kongobu-ji Temple, the head temple of the Shingon sect, is located in Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture. Its rich cultural heritage and solemn atmosphere characterize it. In addition to being a religious sanctuary, the temple is also home to numerous cultural and historical assets. With its solemn and dignified atmosphere, visitors will find a tranquil and moving experience at this place where history and faith intersect. #Kongobu-jiTemple #ShingonSect #CulturalHeritage #ReligiousSacredLand 🏯📜

CoStudio | Koyasan — A sacred place of spirituality and temples Koyasan, located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is a mountain with an elevation of about 1,000 meters, which brings together profound spirituality and temple culture. The special feature of this sacred place is that in the 7th year of the reign of Emperor Konin, Kukai, the great monk, began his training here and established Kongobuji Temple, which became the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. With a rich history, Koyasan attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists seeking spiritual peace and enlightenment. On this mountain, you will walk between ancient stone steps, through lush ancient woods, and feel the sacred atmosphere in the air. Kongobuji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Koyasan. Its ancient architecture and magnificent gardens attract many tourists. The temple buildings here showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional Japanese architecture, while the gardens are a place of spiritual sustenance, and every design is full of profound religious meanings. Whether you’re looking for a place of peaceful meditation or want to experience the wonders of Japan’s ancient temples, Koyasan is a sacred place worth exploring. #Koyasan #Kongobuji #Shingon Buddhism #Japan Holy Place #Spiritual Journey #Ancient Architecture #Pilgrimage Site #Wakayama Prefecture #Religious Culture

#besttrip2023 Mount Koya: Harmony between Spirit and Nature 🏞️🏯 Mount Koya is a Buddhist holy land located in Nara Prefecture, Japan, where history and beauty come together in harmony. Located at an altitude of over 1000 meters, this mountain is a place where tranquil surroundings and beautiful nature coexist. There are various temples here, and the most famous is Mount Koya Kongobu-ji Temple. The temple grounds are tranquil, providing a place for worshippers to calm their minds. The entire mountain is enveloped in spiritual energy, and the lush trees allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the four seasons. At the center of Mount Koya is a sacred area called "Okunoin", where historical buildings and stone pavements welcome visitors. The cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves also enhance the beauty of the mountain. When you visit Mount Koya, you will experience the harmony of spirituality and nature intertwined, and you can feel the spirituality and aesthetic sense of Japan. 🌸🙏 #Koyasan #Buddhist holy land #Nature and history #Japanese spirituality#Christmas

Mount Koya (Kouyasan) Located in Wakayama, Mount Koya is the collective name for a basin surrounded by a group of peaks, an 800m high basin that surrounds eight mountain peaks (Imaraiho, Hojuho, Hachibuseyama, Bentendake, Koyasan, Tenjyokusan, Yoryusan, and Moniyama) all with an elevation of around 1000m, which are distributed like the petals of a flower. Kobo-shi Kukai, from the Heian period, saw this Feng Shui treasure land, and asked Emperor Saga at the time to allow him to undergo training here to establish a temple. He built Kongobu-ji Temple in the 7th year of the Kōnin era (816). It has been passed down for over 1200 years. #MountainClimbing

Koyasan, located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is one of the most important holy sites in Japanese Buddhism. The mountain, which stands at 900 meters above sea level, is known as the "Mount Ryokuyama of Japan" because it is a place with a deep Buddhist history and cultural heritage, attracting tourists from all over the world. To get to Koyasan from Osaka or Kyoto, you need to take a train and then transfer to a cable car, and the scenery along this journey is unforgettable. On the cable car, you can overlook the magnificent mountain scenery and feel the magnificence of nature. Once you arrive at Koyasan, you will be mesmerized by the peace and tranquility of this place. First, you can visit Kongobuji Temple, the most famous attraction in Koyasan. The temple was founded by the Japanese monk Kukai and is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Japanese Buddhism. Once inside the temple, you can admire the thousand-year-old history and cultural heritage, including the monks' meditation places, treasure houses, and libraries. Next, you can visit other temples and sacred sites in Koyasan. One worth mentioning is Izugaya Shrine, which is one of the oldest shrines in Japan and one of the most important shrines in Koyasan. After visiting the shrine, you can experience the traditional spiritual practice of sitting Zen. At Koyasan, you can participate in Zen meditation activities in the Zen hall and experience the Japanese Zen practice method. At night, stay at a temple inn in Koyasan and experience an ancient Japanese way of staying. You can enjoy delicious vegetarian food and feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple. Here you can gain insight into traditional Japanese culture and Buddhist beliefs while also relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air. #JapanAttractions #Japan #Countryside #Wakayama #SacredMountain #Koyasan

I went to Kongobu-ji Temple, one of the two major tourist spots in Mount Koya. It is a sacred place of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi, and is also the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. When I visited in mid-April, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, making it the perfect place for a recommended cherry blossom viewing🌸 Admission fee: Junior high school students and above: 1,000 yen, elementary school students: 300 yen, preschoolers: free #trip2023 #MountKoya

I used the Nankai Koyasan Cable Car to go from Osaka to Mount Koya in Wakayama 🌟 Take the Nankai Koya Line from Namba to Gokuraku Station, then transfer to the Nankai Koyasan Cable Car to Koyasan Station. As we kept climbing the mountain, it felt quite chilly when we got off the cable car. It seems that the cherry blossoms bloom a little later than in Osaka. It was easier to access than I thought, so why not visit Mount Koya on your trip to Osaka?♬ #trip2023 #MountKoya

Wakayama is the capital of Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region. And here there are hundreds of years old temples that are still well preserved, including the old bark of trees and various resources around that are still impressively original when walking around. ✨#TravelAbroad #Japan #OsakaTrip #Wakayama #Onsen #AmusementPark #SleepAtABeautifulAccommodation #OldTemple

One of the best places to admire the autumn colors in Wakayama Prefecture is in the mountains of Koyasan. The best time to visit this place is late October until early November. Expect a crowd of tourist on this place so better go early to enjoy the experience. You can reach Koyasan from Gobo, Wakayama for about 1.5Hrs by car. Be ready with a cold weather since this place is situated in a mountain. More than the different colors of autumn leaves, you can enjoy the huge temples. It is said to be the home of 100 buddhist temples. #japanautumn

There are three famous sacred sites in Japan, and Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture is the one with the most convenient transportation. Take the train from Nankai Railway Namba Station to Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cable car to Koyasan Station, and then take the bus to Kongobuji Temple, Okunoin Temple and other areas. Because "Oku-no-in" is far from the station, the recommended order of visiting is to go to "Oku-no-in" first and then go to "Kongobuji" on the return trip. Although it is quite far, the bus ride only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Get off at "Oku-no-in-mae", where there are roads and restaurants next to it, but as you walk into "Oku-no-in" along the road, it becomes very quiet and solemn, because there are many tombstones here, and many towering cedar trees, some of which are more than 600 years old. In addition, there are tombs of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi family among the tombstones. Although Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi are not actually buried here, it is also worth a visit. At the bottom of "Oku-no-in" is the Kobo Daishi Shrine, but taking photos there is prohibited. It took about two and a half hours to walk through "Oku-no-in" slowly, and then you can take the bus back to "Senju-in Bridge" or "Kongobuji-mae" to visit another area of ​​Koyasan. Kongobuji Temple is beautifully built and has a peaceful atmosphere, but it feels different from Oku-no-in Temple in that it feels like a Japanese garden. To visit the interior of Kongobuji Temple, you need to buy an additional ticket. There are also places for visitors to rest and drink tea in the temple. In addition, there are many temples on Koyasan that are open to tourists for accommodation, and you can also participate in the temple's morning classes, which is also a very special experience. The white snow in winter and the fact that it is an important religious site make it a very cleansing place for the soul. Some people may be a little taboo about cemeteries, but in fact, Koyasan is also a very popular tourist destination for Japanese people. Whether or not you have visited a sacred site before, I recommend visiting Koyasan and feeling the atmosphere there. #日本景点 #国外旅游 #日本 #和歌山県 #高野山 #聖場 #聖宮聖 #楊靈心 #japan

A temple is a sacred and solemn place where monks copy scriptures and worship Buddha every day to pray for blessings and ward off disasters for the world and themselves. Every time I enter an ancient temple, I am always assimilated by its solemn atmosphere. Many times, we only spend an hour or two visiting these temples, but it still makes us feel calmer. What would it feel like if you could stay longer? "Koyasan" is located in the northern part of Wakayama Prefecture and is a holy place for Japanese Buddhism. To facilitate believers and tourists to visit, many temples have also converted part of their space into accommodation facilities, allowing people to stay for a few days and have more time to experience it. Even if you are not a Buddhist, you can still treat it as a religious experience, which is fun. One of the temples with a rich historical background that provides accommodation is Bekke Honzan Soji-in in Koyasan. 📍 Address: 143 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 648-0296 🏘 A total of 13 Japanese-style tatami rooms ♨️ There is a large bath in the temple 🍱 Provide vegetarian meals mainly based on wild vegetables 🚈 You can drive via National Highway 480, or take a bus from Shin-Osaka or Haneda Station. The bus takes about 4 hours. The entire Koyasan is filled with a tranquil atmosphere, and Soji-in Temple is located to the west of Kinkobone-ji Temple, with a majestic altar in front of the gate. The rooms are well designed and offer beautiful views. If you can get up early, you can also experience morning prayers and copy scriptures. It is a great experience to relax your mind under the bells of the mountain temple. #Overseas Travel #Japan #Countryside Series #Koyasan #Temple #Souji-in Temple #One Night and Two Meals #Deep in the Mountains #Buddhism #japan

Mount Koya, a World Heritage Site, is a sacred place of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai 1200 years ago. There are over 100 temples, so we recommend bringing a stamp book and enjoying a walk. #Breathtaking views Access: Nankai Railway Koya Line [Koyasan Station] Tourist attractions: Okunoin, Kongobu-ji Temple, Danjo Garan Hotels: None Dining & Restaurants: Nakamoto Meigyokudo Shopping: Nakamoto Meigyokudo

Hello! It's Shinya 😁 Thank you for watching! This time, I would like to introduce you to Mount Koya, which you probably learned about at least once in junior high school 👏🏻👏🏻 Mount Koya is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, which was brought to Japan by Kukai, and is registered as a World Heritage Site. No matter where you walk, you can feel the history and it's a very emotional place 😊 Also, it was still a little early when I went, but the autumn leaves were beautiful, so it's a great place to go now! It's a place that's quite difficult to access, but please visit it once as a driving destination 🚗 It's highly recommended to visit the temple deep in the mountains in the cool autumn and take a walk around the area ✨✨ #summertrip #breathtakingview #coupletrip #historicsite #recommendedforDecember #triptoenjoyspring #autumnleaves #gourmettrip #triptogoforthenewyear #WakayamaPrefecture

Hello! It's Shinya 😁 Thank you for watching! This time, I would like to introduce you to Mount Koya, which you probably learned about at least once in junior high school 👏🏻👏🏻 Mount Koya is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, which was brought to Japan by Kukai, and is registered as a World Heritage Site. No matter where you walk, you can feel the history and it's a very emotional place 😊 Also, it was still a little early when I went, but the autumn leaves were beautiful, so it's a great place to go now! It's a place that's quite difficult to access, but please visit it once as a driving destination 🚗 It's highly recommended to visit the temple deep in the mountains in the cool autumn and take a walk around the area ✨✨ #summertrip #breathtakingview #coupletrip #historicsite #recommendedforDecember #triptoenjoyspring #autumnleaves #gourmettrip #triptogoforthenewyear #WakayamaPrefecture

Access: Route 480 Tourist spot: Koyasan Kongobu-ji Temple Hotel: Shukubo Sakurachi-in Meals & Restaurants: Shopping: #Historic sites

Mount Koya is located in Koyacho, Wakayama Prefecture. The red-roofed temple is impressive! Because it is the head temple, there are graves of many different people. There are graves of shoguns and graves named after large companies such as Panasonic and Komatsu. Also, since it is located on high ground, the air is very clear and you can really feel like you are in Japan! #Shrine #Snowscape #FreeSpot

Kongobu-ji Temple is the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect in the northern part of Wakayama Prefecture. The altitude is 800m, which is a little high. This area is also a summer resort, and many Buddhist facilities are lined up in the rich nature. The first photo is a road called "Jabara-michi", which is also a famous spot for autumn leaves. It was taken in the summer, but the trees were colored and it was very beautiful ✨ During the autumn leaves season 🍁, it is apparently lit up at night...! The second photo is the largest rock garden in Japan, "Banryutei" ♪ Access: About 15 minutes by bus from "Koyasan Station" on the Koyasan Cable Car. #Wakayama #Garden #Forest bathing #Summer resort you want to keep secret #Breathtaking view

It's been a while since I've written about Mount Koya. Because of its high altitude, it's actually cool even in summer, making it a great summer resort♪ When I visited, it was August, and it was a scorching hot time on the plains, but Mount Koya was cool. Some people even felt cold in short sleeves. Mount Koya has many Buddhist buildings, such as Kongobu-ji Temple and the Konpon Daito Pagoda, and there are also shops and accommodation facilities for tourists. Of course, there is a lot of nature, including greenery🌱The yellow-green trees and bamboo groves looked like fresh greenery. Access: 15 minutes by bus from Koyasan Station on the Koyasan Cable Car (bus to Daimon) #Secret summer resort #Wakayama #Forest bathing #Support tourism #Support tourism #Breathtaking views

Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. It is a basin with an altitude of 800m and surrounded by mountains of 1000m. It is a religious city built by Kukai, who introduced Buddhism to Japan in the Heian period along with Saicho of the Tendai sect, and is considered a holy place of the Shingon sect. The whole area is registered as a World Heritage Site✨ There are many things to see, such as the Great Pagoda and the rock garden! Even if you spend a whole day, it's a pain to see everything lol This photo was taken in August♫ It seems that snow accumulates in winter and the autumn leaves are beautiful. It is also famous as a flower spot, with rhododendrons, cherry blossoms in spring, and hydrangeas in early summer. Access: Get off at Gokurakubashi Station on the Nankai Electric Railway, and then take the Koyasan Cable Car to Koyasan Station. From Koyasan Station, take the bus (to Daimon) for about 15 minutes and get off at the Kondo-mae bus stop. #Breathtaking views #Wakayama #Tourist spots #World Heritage sites #Gardens #Famous flower spots

On our recent trip to Japan we visited a number of busy cities and we wanted to have a couple of days out and Mount Koya was a great choice. It took us a couple of hours and a number of train rides to get there but it was absolutely worth it. A very tranquil little town Koyasan was set among centuries old pine forests and the quiet Buddhist temples and serene setting was just what we needed to take a break from the neon lights. All the notable sights are within walking distance and the air is so clear you would be silly not to take leisurely strolls around the parks and the beautiful Okunoin cemetery. A tourist office in the heart of town can provide you more information on the sights and important events. This is one of the most spiritual places in Japan. Not yet part of the standard tourist trip in Japan but it’s worth a visit. I suggest to sleep in a temple to really feel the atmosphere of the place. #givethanks #givethanks

The small mountaintop Buddhist community of Mount Koya (Koyasan) is one of Japan’s most magical, if increasingly popular, destinations and the perfect place to spend a night at a Buddhist temple in shukubo temple lodgings. Located in a remote wooded area of Wakayama Prefecture, south of Kyoto and Osaka, Koyasan (as it is called in Japanese) is the headquarters of the Shingon school of Buddhism, and home to more than 100 temples and monasteries.

Mount Koyasan is a magical place, high in the mountains about 2 hours by train from Osaka. It is the “headquarters” of Shinto Buddhism, which gives it a very peaceful atmosphere. You can sleep in a local temple and enjoy a vegetarian meal, see the photo for a feel of how many different dishes. Tip: after dinner take a walk through town, even more serene and in my opinion an unforgettable experience.

#summervacay The Katsuga Taisha (more accurately spelled Kasuga Taisha), a famous Shinto shrine located in Nara, Japan. About Kasuga Taisha Founded: In the year 768 by the powerful Fujiwara clan. Famous for thousands of bronze and stone lanterns, which are lit during festivals like Setsubun Mantoro and Obon. The temizuya (water purification basin), like the one in your photo, with a dragon-head spout and bamboo ladles. Its beautiful vermilion-colored buildings, sacred deer roaming nearby (from Nara Park), and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest behind it.

#summervacay A temizuya (手水舎), a traditional Japanese purification fountain typically found at the entrance of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Dragon spout: Often symbolizes a guardian spirit; it’s a common feature in Japanese temple fountains. Bamboo ladles (hishaku): Used by visitors to purify themselves by rinsing their hands and mouth before approaching the main shrine. Stone basin: Holds the sacred water for the purification ritual. Japanese stone lanterns and pillars: Carved with kanji inscriptions, indicating the sacred atmosphere of the site. This particular temizuya looks to be part of a well-maintained and historical shrine or temple in Japan, likely visited during early evening based on the warm sunlight.