Mt. Koya 1 Day Private Tour

Mt. Koya is where Kukai (Kobo Daishi), one of the most revered figures in the religious history of Japan, founded the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism back in the 9th century. In the deep woods of the Kii Mountains, the area is considered sacred site of significant importance, attracting worshippers from around the country.

Sample Itinerary (10-hour tour)

Meet your guide at your hotel in Osaka* and move to Mt. Koya by trains and cable car.
Within Mt. Koya, you will move around by taxi and bus.

First, visit Okunoin, the heart of Mt. Koya. Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan, rests here. Also, many prominent personalities' graves line by the approach to Okunoin for several hundred meters through the forest. Your guide will explain interesting stories about those historical characters.

For your lunch, the guide will recommend one of the local restaurants depending on your appetite. Shojin cuisine, vegetarian dishes for monks is recommended in Mt. Koya.

Then,move to Kongo Buji Temple, the main headquarters for the Shingon Sect, which has 4,000 temples throughout Japan and more than 10 million followers worldwide. Visitors can see religious artifact, fusuma sliding door paintings, as well as a beautiful rock garden representing two dragons flying amongst the clouds.

Visit Danjo Garan, one of the two most sacred sites in Mt. Koya. In the 9th century, Mt. Koya was founded on this very ground. At that time, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony and then dedicated his life to the construction of Danjo Garan. This sacred area consists of nearly twenty different structures including the magnificent Konpon Daito. Your guide will tell you the meaning of these structures.

The guide will escort you back to your hotel in Osaka.
If you prefer to stay overnight in Mt. Koya, we are pleased to book a suggested Shukubo, a temple lodging, in Mt. Koya. (Accommodation fee is not included in the tour price below. For details, please contact us directly.)

Price for this sample itinerary

(price per group)

(10% consumption tax included)

Including: Nationally-licensed English-speaking tour guide, admission fees, trains between hotel and Gokuraku-bashi,cable car between Gokuraku-bashi and Mt. Koya, taxi and bus within Mt. Koya Area, service charge and consumption tax
Not Including: Lunch fee, Fare or admission fee for additional sites.
Note:

1. Our private tours can be customized to your interests and preferences. Let us know any place you wish to visit.
2. We will customize your own tour depending on your interests and time.
3. The price is for the sample itinerary above.
4. Private car can be arranged for extra fee.
5. This itinerary assumes starting and ending in Osaka. If you would like to start or end in other cities, please contact us for the price.
6. Tours can be arranged for a larger group. We will recommend appropriate transportation taking your group size into consideration.

Payment

Please pay by credit card. You will receive an E-mail with an URL where payment can be made online. The page is protected by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to ensure the safety of your credit card information. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners, and JCB.

Request for a Private Tour

Why tour with us?

• Customized Private Tour
  We will customize your own tour depending on your interests and preferences. Since all tours are private tours, you can enjoy your tour thoroughly at your pace.

• Nationally-Licensed Guides
  Our locally-based guides who are knowledgeable, friendly and flexible ensure pleasant, comfortable and worry-free tours.

• Authentic Experiences
  Our travel consultants from all over Japan with network and knowledge - not just highlights but also off the beaten paths - work passionately to enrich your experiences.

Private Tours in other destinations

We can also arrange privately-guided tours in other destinations throughout Japan. Also, your tours can be tailored to your specific interests such as culture, food, and nature.