Go on a private excursion that combines nature and spirituality along the Buddhist pilgrimage route to Mount Koya!
Mount Koya is south of Osaka, and the cradle of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. This branch of Japanese Buddhism was founded by the monk Kukai in the 9th century, and is one of the oldest in Japanese Buddhist history.
At the summit of Koyasan, as the Japanese call it, you'll find the main temples and monasteries of the Shingon branch of Buddhism, as well as the mausoleum of the famous Kukai. This tour is a chance to learn all about these fascinating places of worship while enjoying the surrounding nature.
You'll meet your guide at your hotel and head to Mount Koya by public transport. Mount Koya is a fairly remote and tricky place to reach, so you'll need to allow around 2.5 hours for a journey by train, funicular and bus.
On arrival, you'll first pass through the magnificent red gate Daimonwhich marks the entrance to Mount Koya, and then visit the Danjo Garan temple complex, including the Konpon Daito pagoda. You'll have plenty of time to admire these wooden buildings' traditional architecture.
After lunch (not included), your guide will take you to the Kongobuji temple, considered the most important on Mount Koya as well as Shingon Buddhism, before returning to Osaka by public transport using the same means as the outbound journey.
Your tour will end at Namba station in Osaka.