Suggested Koyasan 2-Day Itinerary

The following is a suggested 2-day itinerary for average-paced travelers which takes you through Koyasan, the center of Shingon Buddhism. Parts of the route, namely the Women Pilgrims Course, follow a nature trail, and proper walking shoes are recommended, especially during or after wet weather.

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Day 1: Okunoin and Temple Lodging

Start

Start at Koyasan Station

Take a bus bound for Okunoin and get off at Karukayado-mae

15 minutes

Karukayado-mae bus stop

Walk to Ichinohashi Bridge at the entrance of Okunoin

5 minutes

Okunoin Temple

Temple where Kobo Daishi is enshrined 2-3 hours

Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism and an important figure in the religious history of Japan. The grounds contain a huge graveyard of those who want to be close to Kobo Daishi.

Walk back to Okunoin-mae bus stop

20 minutes

Head to your temple lodging in the town by bus or on foot

Temple Lodging

Overnight at a Buddhist temple

Stay overnight at a temple lodging (shukubo) and participate in the temple activities like meditation. Facilities at a shukubo tend to be simple, and meals served are vegetarian monks' cuisine (shojin ryori).

Finish

Day 2: Temples and a Pilgrimage Trail

Start

Check out of the temple lodging after breakfast

Walk to Kongobuji Temple from your shukubo

Kongobuji Temple

Head monastery of the Shingon sect 45-60 minutes

Kongobuji Temple is a large temple where visitors can see exquisitely painted fusuma doors from the 16th and 17th centuries. The rock garden in the back of the temple is one of Japan's largest.

Walk to the Garan

5 minutes

Garan

Koyasan's central temple complex 45 minutes

The Garan consists of several buildings, of which the two most prominent ones are the Kondo Hall and the Konpon Daito Pagoda. Of note is also the Chumon Gate which was reconstructed recently.

Walk to the Daimon Gate

10 minutes

Daimon Gate

Large vermilion gate 5 minutes

A large, two-story tall gate that marks the traditional entrance to Koyasan.

Women Pilgrims Course

Hiking trail that was traditionally for women 60 minutes

The Women Pilgrims Course leads around the town of Koyasan and was built for women who were banned from entering the town before 1872. We walk the section from the Daimon Gate to the only surviving Nyonindo Hall, halls built for female pilgrims.

Take the bus from Nyonindo back to Koyasan Station

5 minutes

Finish

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