Mount Kōya

Mount Kōya (高野山 kōya san) refers to a mountain in Wakayama Prefecture that houses the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, founded in 816 by the monk Kūkai (空海), more commonly known as Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師). It is considered a major holy site within Japan and is a popular destination for pilgrims as well as regular tourists.

Mt. Kōya has been designated part of a vast World Heritage Site which also includes Mie's own Kumano Kodō.

Things to See

The many temples throughout town offer beautiful views in basically any season. Autumn is considered the most spectacular, and since Mt. Kōya is far less crowded than Kyoto it is an ideal place to take in the fall colors. The peak time is generally the first weekend of November. Winter, spring, and summer scenes are quite impressive as well – indeed the mountain is blessed with beautiful natural scenery.

In addition to just the scenery and temple gardens, there are a few specific places to see:

• Oku-no-in (奥の院)

  Mausoleum of Kūkai, adorned with 1000 lanterns. It is a remarkable and unique sight. Most of the buses departing from the cable car head to the entrance of to Oku-no-in, which gives you a chance to partially walk through the...

• Graveyard

  Mt. Kōya is home to Japan's single largest grave yard. Though it stretches on for many kilometers, you can walk through part of it on your way into Oku-no-in. The graves radiate out from Kūkai's mausoleum and include many of western Japan's most famous historical figures and families. A newer section also has company-related graves and some very decorative tomb stones.

• Kongōbu-ji (金剛峯寺)

  This temple serves as the official head temple of the Shingon sect, but is partially open to tourists as well. It has the largest rock garden in western Japan. In addition, there are eight rooms which are all full of beautifully-drawn sliding doors which illustrate the eight steps Kūkai took that led him to found Koya-san. The drawings cover the many sliding doors in each room like a giant mural, painting majestic scenes of nature as well as ancient China; they are more impressive than the standard decorative sliding door. Tea and a snack are available as well. Located very near the middle of town, much closer to the cable car station than Oku-no-in. Entry: ¥500

• Kompon Daitō (根本大塔)

  Serves as the primary symbol of Koyasan, seen on the cover of basically every tourism brochure. According to Shingon doctrine, Mt. Kōya is at the center of a mandala made up of eight points, and it is said that the Kompon Daitō is the exact center of all eight points.

Accommodations

An overnight stay on Mt. Koya, referred to as shukubō (宿坊), entails sleeping in the guest quarters of one of the actual Buddhist temples within the town. Visitors are given a small tatami room, monk-style dinner, monk-style breakfast, and there is likely a bath somewhere within the temple. Visitors are also able to attend a Buddhist religious service in the morning (early morning, ~6:00am), and depending on the temple other services may available including paper and pen for transcribing Buddhist sutras.

Other than the religious services, the experience is very similar to staying in an onsen hotel, except the room will be smaller, the bath won't be natural, and no meat or fish will be served with meals. Though price will vary from temple to temple, expect to pay at least ¥10000 per person.

If going on your own, you can "shop around" for a temple online but as there are so many it can be hard to really narrow them down. Here are a few personal recommendations:

• Fukuchi-in (福智院)

  This temple is beautiful in any season and is impressive on the inside – it's exactly what you are hoping for when you hear "stay overnight at a temple". Rooms are small but private, the food is very tasty, the gardens are spectacular, and it is home to the only certified natural onsen of any of the Mt. Kōya temples. It is located behind Kongobuji, near the entrance into town from the cable car, away from the town's main drag.

• Rengejō-in (蓮華定院)

  Popular temple for large JET and ex-pat group trips.

Food and Drink

Food is a big part of the Mt. Kōya experience. Drinking – not so much – you are supposed to meditating and all that good stuff after all.

Buddhist Monk Cuisine

Eating the purely vegetarian shōjin ryōri (精進料理), food for Buddhist monks, is one of the main events when visiting Mount Koya. The many temples located within the town offer these meals to tourists; though the style is similar each temple has its own unique recipes. Ingredients are fresh, with all temples changing their menus either every season or every month. Guests who stay overnight at a temple will receive both a kaiseki-style dinner and breakfast comprised of this food, and as is the case with all kaiseki food there will be many small plates presented in a colorful and beautiful manner. The Koyasan tofu available with these meals is particularly well-known.

• Even if you aren't vegetarian, you will likely find yourself enjoying this food.

Nearby

• Kumano Kodō

  The famed old pilgrimage path historically stretched from Mount Kōya to Mie's own Ise Grand Shrine.

• Wakayama

  The prefecture's capital city is nearby, with its castle, ramen, and feline station master.

• Shirahama

  Beaches, onsen, and the world's best panda zoo outside China

• Osaka

  Serves as the gateway to Koyasan

Links

• Mount Koya - Wikitravel
• Kōyasan Tourist and Lodging Assocation - Official page