Koyasan Must Visit Spots Self Guided Tour

Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
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Duration2h 30m
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Koyasan has been one of Japan’s most important spiritual centers for over 1,200 years. This 21-stop self-guided audio tour takes you through its sacred sites, from the entrance at Daimon Gate to the forested paths of Okunoin.

Your guide is Hiroyuki, a local guide from Wakayama who shares the history, legends, and daily life of this unique mountain town directly on your phone.

Highlights include:

Daimon Gate, the traditional entrance to Koyasan with its imposing guardian statues
Danjō Garan, the sacred temple complex with key sites like Kondo Hall and Konpon Daitō Pagoda
The Three-Pronged Pine, linked to the legend of Koyasan’s founding
Kongōbu-ji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism with one of Japan’s largest rock gardens
Okunoin Cemetery, with over 200,000 memorial stones leading to Kōbō Daishi’s mausoleum

How it works:

Download the tour app (free, iOS and Android)
Follow the GPS map and listen as you walk
Pause, rewind, revisit anytime

No guide to wait for. No group to follow.

What's included

  • Easy to use app
  • Unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the Exploro app
  • Compatible with both iOS and Android
  • Local expert curated itinerary with hidden stories and highlights
  • Flexible: start, pause, or resume anytime at your own pace
  • Interactive map with GPS navigation, directions, and marked stops
  • Audio guide, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
  • In-person Guide

What to expect

  1. 5m
    You will start playing the first stop of our tour at this location.
  2. Shoryu no Matsu (Pine tree)
    5m
    This pine tree, enclosed by the fence, is connected to an important legend about the origins of Koyasan.
  3. 5m
    The shrines are associated with another legend concerning Kōbō Daishi’s founding of Koyasan.
  4. 5m
    Originally, this hall was built as Kōbō Daishi’s personal Buddha hall.
  5. 5m
    This building, designated as a National Treasure.
  6. 5m
    Founded in 1127.
  7. 5m
    To visit efficiently, I recommend using the local bus or renting a bicycle.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Put on your earphones and start the tour from the app.

End point

This concludes my tour. Thank you very much. However, there are still many places to explore and dishes to try here on Koyasan, so please continue to enjoy your visit. I hope to see you again on another tour!

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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€14.50 per person
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Operated by Exploro - Dublin · Booked through Viator
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€14.50 per person
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