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Katsuragi-cho
30m
Visit a local shrine with sacred waterfall
It is located upstream in Higashidani, along the Anabushi River (Shijuhasse River).
Its source lies in Mount Mikuni and Mount Shuku, where two steep valleys converge to form this waterfall.
With a height of over 10 meters, it leaves a deep impression of majesty and mystery.
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Mt. Koya
10m · Admission ticket included
As you ascend, your local guide will introduce you to the core beliefs of Japanese Buddhism and share the inspiring story of Kukai—the visionary monk who established this sacred sanctuary over 1,200 years ago. Upon arrival, pause for a memorable photo at the impressive Daimon Gate, a powerful symbol marking your entrance into a deeply spiritual world.
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Koyasan Danjo Garan
20m · Admission ticket included
Visit Danjyo Garan Temple
At Danjo Garan, one of Koyasan’s most significant temple complexes, marvel at the striking pagodas, tranquil halls, and symbolic architecture that embodies the teachings of esoteric Buddhism. With your guide’s thoughtful explanations, you’ll begin to understand how Koyasan itself was designed as more than a religious site—it’s a living mandala, crafted to reflect a profound spiritual vision.
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Kongobu-ji Temple
40m · Admission ticket included
Visit Kongo buzi Temple
Your journey continues at Kongobu-ji, the main temple of the Shingon sect, home to Japan’s largest and most striking rock garden. Stroll through its hushed wooden corridors and take in the beautifully painted sliding doors that vividly depict the spiritual path of Kukai.
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Koya-cho
1h
Lunch (Traditional Buddhism Vegan Lunch)
Afterward, we will have a traditional Buddhist lunch called Shojin Ryori, a delicate and entirely plant-based meal once reserved for monks. Carefully crafted using fresh, seasonal ingredients, each dish is a celebration of balance and mindfulness—elegant, wholesome, and full of subtle flavors. It’s not just a meal, but an insight into the spiritual lifestyle that has been practiced here for over a thousand years.
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Shojoshin-in Temple
30m · Admission ticket included
Visit a hidden temple and touring inside
Step inside a normally off-limits temple, opened exclusively for this experience. Guided by a resident monk—with your guide offering translation—you’ll explore rarely seen Buddhist icons, intricate mandala artworks, and the deeper spiritual meanings hidden within this sacred space.
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Shojoshin-in Temple
30m · Admission ticket included
Join Buddhism purification fire ceremony called Goma
Next, immerse yourself in the intensity of a Goma fire ritual—one of the most visually striking and spiritually charged rites in esoteric Buddhism. In front of the formidable figure of Fudo Myoo, flames leap skyward as monks chant sacred mantras and offer wooden prayer sticks into the fire. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to write your own wish and watch it burn, symbolically releasing attachment and purifying the spirit.
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Koyasan Okunoin
1h · Admission ticket included
Walk to Mount Koya's Okunoin Temple
To conclude the day, take a walk through Okunoin, Japan’s most sacred cemetery. As you follow the lantern-lit path past moss-covered gravestones toward the resting place of Kukai himself, you’ll feel the deep stillness and spiritual power that define the very soul of Koyasan.
