In Koyasanm monastery, the various facilities and programs are prepared for visitors aiming for the experiences of Buddhism, the natural world and so forth.
Koyasan is home to an active monastic center founded twelve centuries ago by the priest Kukai (posthumously known as Kobo Daishi) for the study and practice of Esoteric Buddhism. It is the headquarters of the Koyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism, a faith with a wide following throughout Japan. Situated on a small plain at the top of Mount Koya is the sacred area known as the Danjo Garan, a complex of temples, halls, pagodas and Buddhist statuary that welcome visitors to this serene and hallowed place.Surrounded by a thick forest of massive cedars, the area known as Okuno-in, or the Inner Sanctuary, is the setting for a vast cemetery that features the mausolea of numerous famous Japanese, including that of the samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi (or Taiko Hideyoshi) as well as memorials to the spirits of soldiers killed in the Pacific War.
WORLD HERITAGE LIST: On July 7, 2004, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named Koyasan as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range to its World Heritage List. Now as in the past, Koyasan continues to attract visitors, including believers and devotees, from around the world. It is also an important destination for pilgrims returning from the ''Pilgrimage to the 88 Temples of Shikoku.'' Koyasan is a sacred place that always welcomes people with Buddha's great love.
Vegetarian Cooking Koyasan's vegetarian cooking is a traditional style cuisine that has been handed down to the present-day by numerous priests and temples since the time Kukai founded Koyasan
Experiencing Ajikan: Ajikan is a form of Shingon meditation for integrating the practitioner with the Buddha. Only a few shukubo temples are able to provide an Ajikan experience to private visitors, so be sure to check first.
Experiencing the Hand-Copying of Sutras:
The Hannya-Shingyo; sutra (Prajna-paramita-sutra) is the essence of the Buddhist scriptures, and its title contains the word Shin (meaning "heart") because this sutra mentions the great love or merciful heart of Buddha. Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the founder of Koyasan, exemplifies the virtues of hand-copying of sutras as follows: all those who intently hand-copy the sutra will become healthy both in mind and body, all pains and troubles will be dried up and all those around such a person will also receive its blessings. If you wish to experience the hand-copying of sutras, please contact the Daishi Kyokai Center
Otsutome(Buddhist Ceremonies at Temples): A Buddhist service is held early every morning at shukubo temples.During the ceremony, the cheif priest and monks of the temple chant Buddhist sutras in the main temple hall. Depending on the temple, the ceremony may start at arond 6:00 AM. Overnight guests as temples may also participate or watch
Walking Guide: The ancient pilgrimage routes in Koyasan such as Koyasan's Choishi Stupa Route, Koya Sanzan Route and Women Pilgrims Route have been well maintained all the way up to the present-day. These routes was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in July 2004, as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains Range." Enjoy a pleasant outdoor experience for pilgrims and hikers.
Access by train: The Nankai Electric Railway makes 4 round trips a day by Limited Express, and runs Express trains at about 30-min intervals between Osaka Namba Station and Koyasan Station. It takes 1 hr 40 min by Limited Express, and around 2 hours by Express. It takes about 2 hours from Wakayama as well.
Access by car: From Osaka's Kawachi-nagano to Hashimoto via Rt 371. Hashimoto to Koyaguchi and Kudoyama via Rt 24. Kudoyama to Koyasan via Rt 370 & 480. It takes about 2 hours from Osaka, 5 hours from Nagoya