|
How to travel between Koyasan and Osaka
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, 1610 yen, five trains per day). Otherwise take an express or rapid express train (100 minutes, 850 yen, departs every 20-30 minutes), most of which require a transfer at Hashimoto Station along the way.
At Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cablecar which travels up the mountain to Koyasan. The ride takes about five minutes and costs 380 yen. From the top station, it is a ten minute bus ride into the town center (280 yen to Senjuinbashi bus stop). Note that it is not permitted to walk along the street which connects the cablecar station with the town center.
To save money consider using a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
The temples of Koyasan form a small town on the wooded mountain, about 1000 meters above sea level. Most visitors arrive by cablecar to Koyasan Station, which is a ten minute bus or taxi ride from Koyasan's town center. Note that it is not permitted to walk along the street between the cablecar station and the town center.
The town of Koyasan is relatively flat and many of its attractions are easily explored on foot. Most of the sites, including the Garan, Kongobuji and the Reihokan Museum are located in the town center, a short walk away from the Senjuinbashi intersection. Among the main attractions, only Okunoin stands outside of the town center at the eastern end of the town. At the western end of the town stands Daimon Gate, the traditional point of entry to Koyasan.
Three bus routes serve the town: the main line connects Koyasan Station with Okunoin, a second line connects Koyasan Station with Daimon Gate, and a third line connects Daimon Gate with Okunoin. All bus lines pass the Senjuinbashi intersection at the center of town, where the Koyasan Tourist Information Center is located.
Koyasan Bus Network:
An excellent audio guide is available from the Koyasan Central Tourist Information Center for a 500 yen rental fee. The audio guide is provided in five languages (English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and French) and may be checked out between 8:30 and 16:30 to be returned by the following morning. It offers detailed explanations about almost all the sites of interest on Koyasan.
Discount Tickets
The following discount tickets are available for visitors to Koyasan. Note that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover access to Koyasan or transportation inside Koyasan.
|
Combination Ticket (1500 yen)
|
|
|
This combination ticket provides admission to virtually all points of interest on Koyasan, including Kongobuji, the Kondo Hall and Daito Pagoda at the Garan, the Reihokan Museum and the Tokugawa Mausoleum. It also entitles its holder to participate in a jukai service at Daishi Kyokai. The ticket is available at Koyasan tourist information offices or at any of the aforementioned sights, and is valid over two consecutive calendar days.
|
 |
|
Koyasan World Heritage Ticket (2780 yen) - more information
|
|
|
The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is available from Nankai Namba, Shin-Imamiya and Tengachaya Stations for 2780 yen and includes a round trip ticket from Osaka to Koyasan, unlimited bus travel within Koyasan town and discounted admission to Kongobuji, the Reihokan Museum and the Kondo Hall and Daito Pagoda at the Garan. The World Heritage Ticket is valid over two consecutive days.
|
 |
|
Kansai Thru Pass (3800 or 5000 yen) - more information
|
|
|
The Kansai Thru Pass may pay off if you visit Koyasan in combination with other places in the Kansai Region. Alternatively the pass can make sense to those who stay at Koyasan for more than two days, as the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is only valid on two consecutive calendar days, while the Kansai Thru Pass can be used on non-consecutive days.
|
 |
|
1-Day Bus Pass (800 yen)
|
|
|
A one day bus pass provides unlimited use of buses on Koyasan on one calendar day. It can be purchased at the upper station of the Koyasan Cablecar.
|
 |
|
Kansai Wakayama Pass (3500 or 5500 yen) - more information
|
|
|
The Kansai Wakayama Pass is an interesting pass to consider for those planning to see Koyasan in combination with the Kumano Region further south, but it can also pay off for a round trip to Koyasan in combination with a trip to Kansai Airport within a 2-day period. It is not available to residents of Japan.
|
Bus stop in front of Koyasan Station
|
|
Mt. Koya Tours
Tours and packages for Mt. Koya, including convenient guided tours and a package with lodging at popular temple Fukuchi-in.
|
|
|
Mt Koya to Osaka airport for 11AM flight
3 reactions, last updated 18 days ago
Any pass should I buy if I go to Koyansan...
7 reactions, last updated 25 days ago
Muryoko-in Koyasan a comfortable...
0 reactions, last updated 50 days ago
World Heritage Ticket
1 reaction, last updated 65 days ago
Mount Koya - Okunoin Temple - Day Trip?
2 reactions, last updated 67 days ago
Kansai Thru ticket discounts in Koyasan
2 reactions, last updated 69 days ago
Using JR Pass from Osaka to Koyasan?
6 reactions, last updated 83 days ago
Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
2 reactions, last updated 85 days ago
Do I need to reserve seats on NR to Mt...
2 reactions, last updated 94 days ago
Weather in Mount Koya
2 reactions, last updated 96 days ago
Koyasan shukubo, English?
6 reactions, last updated 125 days ago
Heated Koyasan Temple stay?
2 reactions, last updated 177 days ago
Koyasan on November 30
4 reactions, last updated 184 days ago
Visiting Koyasan
0 reactions, last updated 184 days ago
Nintendo company memorial at Koyasan
3 reactions, last updated 217 days ago
Mount Koya, Koyasan
2 reactions, last updated 226 days ago
Typhoon in koyasan
2 reactions, last updated 235 days ago
Timings Kyoto - Koya - Osaka
0 reactions, last updated 260 days ago
Left luggage office
0 reactions, last updated 269 days ago
Candle Matsuri and Commute
1 reaction, last updated 284 days ago
|
|