Mount Koya Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
Buddhist temple complex and settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
About Mount Koya
First settled in 816 CE by the monk Kūkai as a retreat far away from the courtly intrigues ofKyoto, Mt. Koya is located in a 800-m-high valley amid the 8 peaks of the mountain. The original monastery has grown into the town of Koya, featuring a university dedicated to religious studies and over 100 temples, many of which offer lodging to pilgrims. In 2004, UNESCO designated Mt. Koya as part of a widerWorld Heritage Site. If you stay inOsaka, you can consider visit Mount Kōya on a day trip (leave early in the morning and allow the time to reach Osaka Namba station and buy your ticket). If you can, though, it's worth it to spend the night in one of the numerous temples (see section "Sleep"), which will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself a little deeper in temple life and also expe
Top Attractions in Mount Koya
Explore the best things to see and do in Mount Koya:
- ★Daimon
- ★Daishi Kyokai
- ★Danjō-garan
- ★Gokusho Worship Hall
- ★Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum
- ★Kongōbu-ji
- ★Nyonindo
- ★Ochadokoro (Shotokuden)
Where to Eat in Mount Koya
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Bon-on-sha
- 🍴Hachiyo
- 🍴Hanabishi
- 🍴Inoue
- 🍴Miyasan
Where to Stay in Mount Koya
- 🏨Daienin
- 🏨Fukuchi-in
- 🏨Koyasan Guest House Kokuu
Mount Koya Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 9 sections including: