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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).