The World Heritage Site of Koya Town on Mt. Koya (Japanese: Koya-san), a sacred site of Shingon Buddhism (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism), was founded by a priest named Kukai about 1,200 years ago. The town of Koya is a religious settlement located on the summit (about 1,000 meters above sea level) of Mt. Koya, which is located to the south of Osaka. It is composed of more than one hundred Buddhist temples, huge and beautiful halls and towers, and a Buddhist college, and is home to 5,000 residents including 1,000 Buddhist monks.

The winters here can be harsh, but the snow-covered halls and towers can also look quite peaceful and beautiful. The Buddhists of Mt. Koya recommend the 'Danjo-garan' area as the most attractive area in which to admire the snowscape. In those sacred precincts, visitors can see a large pagoda named the 'Konpon-daito', a temple with an elegant roof called the 'Miedo', and the main hall or 'Kondo', all lightly covered with snow.
(Photo, top: The western area of the 'Danjo-garan'. The snow-covered temples are sure to be at their best from the last 10 days of December to early March.

You can also enjoy the splendid trees covered with silver frost around the huge, ancient graveyard called 'Okuno-in'. Cedar trees hundreds of years old tower over the 2 km path leading to Kukai's mausoleum, which is known as the 'Gobyo', and there are more than 200,000 grave stone monuments situated between the tall cedars. The calm stones sit frozen. It is an unusual world. Kukai, at the age of 62, entered eternal meditation here in order to work for the liberation of all beings. From that time and through all future ages, Kukai is believed to be leading us to liberation. The strength of his will can be felt in this white, silent world.

(Photo, right: The eastern sacred area of 'Okuno-in'. Everything is frozen solid. This is a world straight out of a sumi-e ink painting.)

[Access]
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka to Mt. Koya by limited express train on the Koya Line (including the subsequent cable-car ride) or about 1 hour and 40 minutes by express train. Buying a Nankai Railway Koyasan Free Servic ticket (1- or 2-day excursion ticket) to Mt. Koya is convenient and saves you money.

Koyasan Free Servic ticket (1- or 2-day excursion ticket)
-Discounted round-trip train fare
-Discounted bus fares at Mt. Koya
-Discounted entrance tickets
-Discount souvenir coupons
E.g. Adult fare from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka JPY 3,350 → JPY 2,780 (17% off)
Adult fare from Namba Station by Limited Express Koya JPY 4,870 → JPY 4,000 (17% off)

Where to buy Koyasan Free Servic tickets
Major Nankai Line station ticket counters
(E.g. Kansai-Airport Station, Namba Station, Shin-Imamiya Station, Tengachaya Station, Hashimoto Station)
URL: http://www.nankaikoya.jp/en/

[Temple Stays]

JAPANiCAN.com's Top 3 Shukubo Temple Lodgings

1. Koyasan Onsen Fukuchiin　　Koyasan, Wakayama

Guestrooms are surrounded by a large garden that was designed by a famous landscape artist. The hot spring (onsen) bath is open 24 hours a day.

From JPY 7,875

2. Hongakuin　　Koyasan, Wakayama

Hogakuin is surrounded by five unique gardens, in the center of some woodlands.
The food here is especially famous.

From JPY 12,600

3. Henjoko-in　　Koyasan, Wakayama

This temple used to be the imperial chamber for Emperor Shirakawa. Here, visitors can see many items on display that have been designated as important national treasures. Visitors can also enjoy rooms facing a bright new garden, each with fusuma (Japanese-style sliding doors) covered with gold dust.


From JPY 8,925