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Koyasan Private Tour: Explore Sacred Buddhist Sights with a Local Guide
5.0
20 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.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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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 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
What's Not Included
- 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 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.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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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
Rachel
Apr 18, 2024
Magic day - It was a magnificent and magical day. Noriko is a passionate guide who allowed us to make sense of everything we visited in Koyosan. We had a very pleasant day with him, thank you again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fred_f
Apr 16, 2024
Noriko, top-notch tour guide for Koyasan - Noriko, our private tour guide, was excellent. We really appreciate her enthusiasm about Koyasan, the most sacred of Buddhist sites in Japan. She not only grew up in the area (Wakayama Prefecture), she is part of the cultural heritage. This personal perspective provides for a much more in-depth and insightful tour of this most important site, both for Japanese religious and cultural development. We highly recommend her! Thank you, Noriko.
Review provided by Viator
Tammykd6894zb
Apr 3, 2024
Keen & knowledgeable at Koyasan - We were absolutely entertained and learnt so much with our guide Noriko at Koyasan. Her enthusiasm and passion for the area radiated through, and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to all her expert & local knowledge about the sacred places in Koyasan. We had a long journey from Nara (under 3 hours one way) and were very grateful when Noriko could assist us with bus timetables to help us get the cable car back on time. Lunch was a very tasty Japanese meal. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carol_e
Mar 24, 2024
Kyosan - Koyasan is spiritual, beautiful, and well worth the trip. We had a wonderful guide, Noriko, who is very knowledgeable and kind, would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
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