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Large settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Photo: (WT-en) Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mount Kōya (高野山, Kōya-san) is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka, Japan, primarily known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.
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壇上伽藍
It is a temple complex designed by Kukai on the western side of town. One notable temple in the complex is Miedo which holds Kobo Daishi's statues, it is considered Mount Koya's most elegant building due to it gentle sloping roof. In the complex's center is the Konpon Daitō (根本大塔) pagoda, which according to Shingon doctrine represents the central point of a mandala covering Mt. Koya and all of Japan. Beside the pagoda is the Kondo Hall where many ceremonies are held.
金剛峯寺
This temple is the sprawling yet atmospheric headquarters of the Shingon sect. The Banryūtei stone garden here is Japan's largest and outclasses many of Kyoto's best, and there's also a remarkable series of sliding wooden panels painted in gold depicting the journey of the Buddha. Free tea at the Shinden hall, and daily ajikan meditation lessons (¥1000).
霊宝館, Reihōkan
大師教会
The administrative center of Shingon Buddhism. Various Buddhist activities are offered at the hall such as copy scriptures and meditation.
大門
Large gate considered the main entrance to Mount Koya. Two statues in the gate guard the town.
女人堂
Until 1872 women were forbidden from entering Mount Koya's main town. During that time a collection of temples outside the town center was the only place where women could worship. Only one of these temples remains; it is visited by many women.
徳川家霊台, Tokugawa-ke Reidai
Built by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1643, this is one of numerous mausoleums in Japan dedicated to the Tokugawa Family. It took 20 years to complete and enshrines Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa Shogun.
奥の院墓地, Okunoin bochi
Japan's largest graveyard, with some 200,000 graves, is set among giant cedar trees with winding paths throughout. The closer you get to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, the older and mossier the graves get. On your way back, if going via the second/shorter route, keep an eye out for some whimsical corporate gravestones, including UCC's coffee cup, Yakult's drink bottle, Shin-Maywa's rocket and many more.
奥の院 御供所
Worship hall where visitors can make offerings to various deities. Visitors are also encouraged to throw water at the statues, while praying to departed family members.
Hall of lanterns, 燈籠堂
Okunoin's main worship hall where over 10,000 lanterns are kept eternally lit. The hall also features 50,000 statues kept in the hall's basement.
弘法大師御廟, Kōbō-daishi-gobyō
Mausoleum where Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism was buried. Pilgrims come from all over Japan and many who finish the 88 Temple Pilgrimage visit the mausoleum after their pilgrimage to thank Kobo Daishi. Visitors may not enter the mausoleum but many visitors burn incense and chant sutras in front of the Mausoleum's entrance. When crossing Gobyo-bashi bridge, the final bridge before Mausoleum make sure you bow as it's considered disrespectful if you don't. Food, drink and photography are also prohibited past the bridge.
御茶処・頌徳殿
On your way out, stop at this little pavilion for a cup of tea, which you can ladle out yourself from the large bronze cauldrons kept simmering in the back. The tea is free, but there is a conveniently placed donation box nearby.
梵恩舎
On the left hand side of the main road as you walks from the centre of town to Okunoin cemetery, 150 m from the main traffic lights. This cafe and art gallery specialises in organic vegetarian lunches (price varies depending on contents of set. ¥800-1200). The menu changes daily, and a number of homemade cakes are available, as are coffees and teas (¥300). The couple who run the cafe are collectively native speakers of French, English and Japanese and also fluent in Italian and Mandarin Chinese. One of the few places in Koya-san that open early.
花菱
This classy restaurant has been serving customers for over 120 years and is a good option for sampling Buddhist vegetarian fare if you're not staying overnight. A shōjin ryōri lunch set runs ¥2100, while a full-on multi-course vegetarian kaiseki experience runs ¥5000-10,500 (cheaper at lunch). Some of the Bento sets are not vegetarian, so stick with shōjin ryōri for the "real thing".
はちよう
The primary selling point of this all-round Japanese eatery is its perfect location right next to the Okunoin-mae bus stop and the start of the Okunoin trail, but the food is a cut above the average shokudo. Try the sansai soba noodles with mountain vegetables, made from fresh vegetables instead of the usual prepacked mix.
いのうえ
Near the Okunoin-mae bus stop. Boasts the largest Omu-Rice (omelette filled with rice and some meat) in Japan, ¥550. English menu available.
みやさん
Centrally located in the middle of Koyasan, just south of the main traffic lights, it has a menu of about 50 items ranging from ¥200-1000. The inn's banner states that its specialty is fried chicken, although all the items are of high quality. The Ramen is particularly filling. English Menu available.
大圓院 or 大円院
A fairly typical temple, centrally located (walking distance to both ends of town) and run by a friendly bunch of monks who know a little English. Large breakfasts (07:10) and dinners (17:30) are provided by the monks, who retrieve you from your room when the meals are ready. They will also come to get you in the morning for morning worship (05:55), so be awake and ready! Temple curfew is 22:00 by the sliding door although the main gate closes at 18:00.
福智院
This 1200-year-old temple features the only hot springs (onsen) in Koya, with indoor and outdoor baths open 24 hours a day for guests only (no day tickets). Only vegetarian dishes are served here, and the meals, which feature seasonal ingredients, are painstakingly planned and prepared by the head chef with a different course every month. On the downside, this is also one of the largest operations at Mount Koya, so it feels much more like a regular ryokan than some of the smaller temples. Centrally located next to Kongobuji.
高野山ゲストハウスKokuu
Modern capsule style guest house. Price is ¥3,500 per capsule room, ¥6,000 for single room and ¥9,000 for double (more expensive on weekends)
By train
Most visitors arrive on the Nankai Electric Railway from Namba Station in Osaka, which connects to Gokurakubashi at the base of the mountain.
By bus
If coming from Kyoto, a faster and easier option is Keihan Bus, which runs one service daily from Kyoto Station, stopping at Okunoin-mae and Koyakeisatsu-mae.
By car
If you have your own set of wheels, you can also head east towards Ise or south to Ryujin Onsen and southern Wakayama.
On foot
Before the train and cable car connection, which was built in the early 20th century, the only way to reach Mt.
You can get from one end to the other of the village on foot in 30 minutes, but regular buses allow you to save time.
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