Koyasan Private Tour: Explore Sacred Buddhist Sights with a Local Guide
5.0
14 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
(14 Ratings)
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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
Ehull9
Nov 20, 2023
Excellent tour! Best Guide!! - Noriko was the best and Koyasan was beautiful. We had car trouble and were almost 45 minutes late. Noriko was so accommodating and helpful. Once we got to the tour she was very knowledgeable, her English was excellent and the sights were amazing. After the tour she helped us plan the rest of our time in the Kumano area and offered to make additional reservations for us. If you are coming to Koya this is the tour to take!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janinewk8608un
Nov 10, 2023
Beautiful mystic Koyasan - Our day with Noriko was outstanding. She has excellent English and is extremely energetic. We would have missed so much if we tried to visit Koyasan without her. Her knowledge of the history and culture of this beautiful place is limitless. Her choice for lunch was also spot on. Thank you Noriko for making our last full day in Japan so memorable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eoutwater
Nov 8, 2023
Noriko's Full Day Koyasan Tour - Noriko is an energetic and deeply knowledgeable guide to Koyasan. Koyasan is a tremendously important place for Japanese history, culture, and spirituality, and requires a good guide to appreciate it adequately. Noriko is that guide, and she tailored our private tour to the aspects of this culturally rich place that appealed to us most. Her choice of restaurant for lunch was also excellent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Grandtour61409095364
Nov 1, 2023
A real gem - I can’t imagine visiting Koyasan without a guide. We would have missed so much. Noriko, our guide, was punctual, considerate, enthusiastic, energetic, and extremely knowledgeable. She is very fit and can go at any speed. She answered tons of questions. She also knows the area so well, she knows what time to go where, the best routes, where to eat, you name it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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