Koyasan

Koyasan is located in the northeastern part of Wakayama Prefecture. In 816, Kobo Daishi Kukai returned from China and founded the Shingon School in Koyasan. Today, there are more than 100 temples in the mountain, including Kogobuji Temple, Danjo Garan Sacred Temple, and Okunoin, all of which are World Heritage sites.

Kogobuji – One Mountain as a Temple

Kobo Daishi Kukai (弘法大師空海) founded Koyasan in the 9th century, the mountain was given the name “Kogobuji Temple” and soon became a sacred place for Buddhism in Japan. As the main temple of the Koyasan Esoteric Buddhism, Kogobuji Temple has long been known as the “One Mountain as a Temple” and the entire Koyasan Mountain falls under its administration, with the 25-meter-high gate being the main gate of the entire mountain. But in today, most people refer to Kogobuji Temple as a World Heritage Buddhist temple not far to the east of Danjo Garan.

Kongobuji Temple

Heart of Koyasan Shingon Tantra

Kongobuji Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi and is the headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon School of Buddhism. In a broader sense, the entire Mount Koyasan is within the boundaries of Kongobuji Temple, while the term Kongobuji Temple is often used to refer to the temple merged by Seiganji Temple and Kosanji Temple, which has the largest rock garden in Japan.

Koyasan Daimon Gate

Whole Mountain Main Entrance

Koyasan Daimon Gate is located at the west entrance of Koyasan. After the previous gate was destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt at its present location in 1705. It is said that the two statues of Kongo warriors on the left and right of the gate are the second tallest in Japan.

Two Sacred Sites in Koyasan

Okunoin (奥之院) and Danjo Garan (壇上伽藍) are known as the most sacred places in Koyasan, which have a strong connection with Kobo Daishi. The two-kilometer-long pilgrimage of Okunoin is lined with more than 200,000 stone monuments, and Kobo Daishi was buried here. The Danjo Garan is the essential site where Kobo Daishi practice esoteric Buddhist studies, and the nearly 50-meter-high Konpon Daito Pagoda is the symbol of Koyasan.

Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex

Headquarters of Shingon Tantra

Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex is one of the two holy places in Mount Koyasan, which was established by Kobo Daishi. There are a total of 19 buildings, and the Golden Hall is the main hall of Koyasan. The 50-meter-high Konpon Daito Pagoda is the tallest and considered the symbol of Koyasan.

Koyasan Okunoin

Tomb of Kobo Daishi Kukai

Okunoin is the most sacred place in Koyasan, and the temple tomb of Kobo Daishi Kukai is located here. In front of the temple, there is a two-kilometer-long pilgrimage path with more than 200,000 stone monuments on both sides, including those of Oda Nobunaga and other feudal lords.