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Koyasan Private Tour: Explore Sacred Buddhist Sights with a Local Guide
5.0
23 Ratings
Koya
Embark on a private tour of Koyasan, immersing yourself in the sacred Buddhist sights guided by a knowledgeable local. Explore the Garan-monastic complex, Okunoin, and Kongobuji temple for a unique and enlightening experience.
Embark on a private tour of Koyasan, immersing yourself in the sacred Buddhist sights guided by a knowledgeable local. Explore the Garan-monastic complex, Okunoin, and Kongobuji temple for a unique and enlightening experience.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Koyasan Daimon - You will get general information of Koyasan.
- Koyasan Danjo Garan - You will visit the main hall of Koyasan and Kompon Daito (the fundamental pagoda) to know the teaching of Kobo Daishi-Kukai, the founder of Koyasan and learn about Japanese religion.
- Koyasan Okunoin - Okunoin is the largest cemetery and the most sacred…
- Koyasan Daimon - You will get general information of Koyasan.
- Koyasan Danjo Garan - You will visit the main hall of Koyasan and Kompon Daito (the fundamental pagoda) to know the teaching of Kobo Daishi-Kukai, the founder of Koyasan and learn about Japanese religion.
- Koyasan Okunoin - Okunoin is the largest cemetery and the most sacred place in Koyasan. You will walk 2km to visit Kobo Daishi mausoleum, feeling mysterious atmosphere.
- Kongobu-ji Temple - Finally you will visit the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. You will see gorgeous paintings on sliding doors depicted about 400 years ago and beautiful rock garden.
What's Included
- Guide Fee
- Guide Fee
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Admission fees to temple facilities
- Lunch
- Admission fees to temple facilities
Additional Information
Take a unique journey to a place of religious significance with an experienced, certified local guide. Get the best understanding of Koyasan with our help. Our tour includes the two most sacred sites in Koyasan: the Garan-monastic complex, and Okunoin - a place of worship for Kobo Daishi (founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan). Our expedition also…
Take a unique journey to a place of religious significance with an experienced, certified local guide. Get the best understanding of Koyasan with our help. Our tour includes the two most sacred sites in Koyasan: the Garan-monastic complex, and Okunoin - a place of worship for Kobo Daishi (founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan). Our expedition also includes a visit to Kongobuji temple, the principle temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. Gain exclusive insights into Koyasan that only a local guide possesses. You’ll walk approximately 3 km in Okunoin, taking in the serene atmosphere formed by the standing hundreds of thousands of tombstones on either side of a path lined with venerably ancient cedar trees.
- Even though it is unlikely, you are responsible for any damage, loss, accidents, or injuries during this tour.
Location
Daimon Gate
Take a bus for Daimon-Minamichushajo at Koyasan Station (Cable Car). and get off the bus at Daimon (Bus stop No. 21), one stop before Final destination, Daimon-Minamichushajo. I will meet you at the bus stop.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
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Flameon70
Apr 28, 2025
Koyasan magic - An incredible journey through the beginnings of esoteric Buddhism as told by Noriko whilst visiting the site of Koyasan. . The temples and shrines but most of all the cemetery of over 200,000 people going back over 1000 years. It is a beautiful restful place where some of the greatest war lords are memorialized. This is a must see , even the train ride up the mountain is spectacular and the trip starts at the top at the magnificent Daimon gate
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jezveal
Apr 14, 2025
Noriko’s hidden treasures by Jez - Noriko was passionate about Koyasan’s history, teaching us many customs, showing us the hidden stories, and taking us to a lovely restaurant. It will be a day to remember for a very long time. Definitely worth going on this tour with Noriko
Review provided by Viator
Bart_a
Mar 30, 2025
Noriko is perfect Koyasan guide - Noriko-san, our perfect guide for our trip to Koyasan, made the beauty of the place truly meaningful to us. Her extensive knowledge was complemented by her enthusiasm, engagement, and passion for the culture and spiritual significance of Koyasan. We would recommend booking this Viator tour only if Noriko is your guide.
Review provided by Viator
Jessliona
Aug 12, 2024
The Most Beautiful Place on Earth - I've traveled around the world quite a lot, and I have to say that Koyasan is by far the most stunningly beautiful place I've ever seen. Bar none. On the path to the mausoleum, you can see thousands of tombs blended with this ancient forest of cypress, cedar, and pine trees. Utterly breathtaking. I could stay there all day, just taking in the mystical hum of the old trees and the spirits that have passed on. I only wish I had stayed a few days in Wakayama to be able to see more of it! The day trip I made from Osaka didn't do Koyasan justice—there must be a next time!
This town is completely amazing on its own, but if you have the good fortune of being paired with the all-star guide Noriko Hosokawa, you will have the time of your life. I stayed in Japan for three weeks this trip, and Noriko is easily one of the top 3 guides I met along the way. She is an absolute ray of sunshine of a person—warm and welcoming from the very first moment I greeted her. We were like two giggling school girls from start to end—there was so much to joke about, so much to reflect on, so much to learn. Spending a day with Noriko is such a gift and so enlivening. Will definitely be reaching out to her next time I'm in Japan to continue the Koyasan adventures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Imitrana
Jul 29, 2024
Exceptional guide in Koyasan - Huge thank you to Noriko for an amazing full day tour experience in Koyasan.
Noriko is very knowledgeable, professional, kind and was receptive to all of our requests on this tour. She picked us up right in our temple lodging and gave us a detailed History explanation. Our boys, 13 & 15 years old loved her stories and were never bored.
Noriko’s English was excellent.
Highly, highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gloria_p
Jul 28, 2024
An Amazing Experience in Koyasan - Our tour guide did a fantastic job of showing us the wonders of Koyasan. She was thorough, professional and very friendly. Her knowledge of the area was impressive. Would highly recommend this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Charles_s
Jun 20, 2024
Sirius’s and historical tour through Kayasan - We spent a day with Noriko at Koyasan. She provided a wonderful tour for the three of us, my wife, younger son and myself. Her tour provided an excellent introduction to Japanese spirituality and religion. The sites were well selected, and provided a nice overview of Koyasan. The tour through Oku-no-in was fascinating historically. Noriko is a passionate and effective teacher, a caring guide, and we thoroughly enjoyed her companionship!
Review provided by Viator
Sayre_g
Jun 14, 2024
Best way to cisit Koyasan - This tour was a special and memorable day. Noriko is a perfect guide, and provides detailed history and education about Kukai, esoteric buddhism and the shrines. We had a fabulous day together, even in the rain!
Review provided by Viator
Emily_o
May 31, 2024
Great private tour - This private tour was really great! Our guide (Noriko) was excellent, she gave clear indications to meet up at Koyasan and start the tour. We were 4 friends traveling together, we really experienced the spiritual dimension and meaning of this beautiful area and shared great discussions with our guide about Japan. We highly recommend it!
Review provided by Viator
Roland_s
May 10, 2024
Great introduction to Koyasan - Noriko, our guide, was extremely helpful and knowledgable. We had never been to Koyasan and we left feeling we had a very good introduction to the town. The Mausoleum/cemetery was one of our highlights. Vegetarian lunch at a local restaurant was also fantastic. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
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