Mount Koya
Mount Koya (高野山 Kōya-san) is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka. It is the center of Shingon Buddhism - a buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai), one of the most significant personalities in Japan’s religious history. There are over 100 buddhist temples standing in Mount Koya area. And one of the main attractions there is staying overnight in a temple.
There are over 50 temples at Mount Koya that functions as a shukubo; where tourists are allowed to stay overnight a temple and experience temple life - vegetarians meals and morning prayers with the rest of the monks.
Mount Koya is definitely a very spiritual place that is a must see. It’s scenery coupled with its serenity gives the place an almost ethereal feeling to it.
Other noteworthy places to visit in Mount Koya, all in relation to temples of course, are:
Okunoin - where Kobo Daishi is enshrined; it is also a massive ancient Japanese graveyard
Garan - Koyasan’s central temple complex
Kongobuji - Head Monastry of the Shingon sect
In 2004, UNESCO designated Mt. Koya, along with two other locations on the Kii Peninsula, as World Heritage Sites.
Click HERE to find out how you can get to Mount Koya from two points in Japan.
Source: Wikipedia; Japan Guide
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