Koyasan/Kudozan area offers tourist attractions such as Koyasan, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Daimon Gate; sightseeing events such as the Aoba Festival, Sumiyoshi Festival, and Sanada Festival; and local delicacies such as vegetarian cuisine, sasazushi, and mehari-zushi.
Koyasan, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, is an area of 1,000-meter-high mountains. The most famous tourist spot in this area is, without a doubt, the Holy Mountain Koyasan. It is a sacred site founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
Along with Mt. Hiei, it has a large number of worshippers and is a sacred place in Japanese Buddhism. The most famous site is the "Nemoto Dojo," which consists of many buildings, including the main hall, Kongobuji Temple.
It is now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Despite Wakayama Prefecture's mild climate, winters are very severe and snowfall is often observed here, but even in winter, Koyasan's cultural assets, blending in with the coniferous trees, are simple and very beautiful, striking a chord with visitors.
Koyasan offers a number of ascetic practices, such as sutra copying and Zen meditation, which are designed to enable visitors to acquire Buddhist teachings through these experiences. Naturally, vegetarian food is served during the ascetic practices, but it is also possible to eat only vegetarian food.
Koyasan is famous for its sesame tofu, but you can also purchase Buddhist-related items such as fans and prayer beads as souvenirs.
Koyasan has numerous buildings, all of which are venerable. The "Daimon" gate has a wonderful format from the front gate, and depending on the day, Awaji Island can also be seen.
Among the facilities, the "Koyasan Shukubo," a facility that welcomes the traveling public, offers national treasures, important cultural properties, and gardens, as well as lodging facilities.
The "Okuno-in," Koyasan's largest spiritual center, is where all the spirits of the world are enshrined in tombstones. Koyasan Reihokan, which collectively manages the national treasures, houses a vast amount of treasures, including 130 documents alone, totaling nearly 20,000 items.
It is one of the largest Buddhist sanctuaries in Japan, and the tombs of all living creatures in the world are spectacular. The tombs of all living creatures are spectacular. There is also a company tomb, and just looking at it is a very magical experience, so it is recommended that you visit if you are in the area.
A Sacred Center of Shingon Buddhism A Spiritual City Surrounded by Mountains Located in the northeastern part of Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan is a sacred mountain area situated in a basin approximately 800 to 900 meters above sea level. For more than 1,200 years, it has attracted pilgrims and visitors seeking spiritual peace and a deeper connection with Japanese Buddhist culture. Surrounded by ...»
Kongobu-ji Temple is the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist school and one of the most important centers of Japanese Buddhism. Located in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture, it is officially known as Koyasan Kongobu-ji and is closely associated with the entire sacred mountain of Mount Koya. Mount Koya stands at an elevation of approximately 800 meters and is surrounded by mountains rising to...»
Konpon Daito is the most iconic structure within Danjo Garan, the central sacred precinct of Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. With its striking vermilion exterior, this magnificent pagoda has become one of the defining symbols of Mount Koya and an important destination for visitors exploring Japan’s Buddhist heritage. Standing approximately 50 meters tall, the impressive pagoda immediately attr...»
Okunoin is one of the two most sacred sites on Mount Koya, together with the Danjō Garan temple complex. Located deep within the sacred mountain area, Okunoin is home to the mausoleum of Kūkai, also known as Kōbō Daishi, the founder of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Kūkai is traditionally believed to have entered eternal meditation at Okunoin in 853 at the age of 62. In Japanese Buddhist belief, this...»
The Tokugawa Mausoleum is a historic memorial complex on Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and his son Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun. Mount Koya is one of Japan's most important centers of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Within this sacred mountain landscape, the Tokugawa Mausoleum stands out as an import...»
Kongo Sanmaiin Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition and is one of the important temples on Mount Koya. The temple also operates as a shukubo, or Buddhist temple lodging, allowing visitors to experience the quiet atmosphere of a traditional temple stay. The temple's principal Buddhist imag...»
A Sacred Center of Esoteric Buddhism Danjō Garan is a magnificent temple complex located near the center of Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. Founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the founder of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, it is regarded as the spiritual and educational heart of Mount Koya. When Kukai established his Buddhist community on Mount Koya in the early 9th century, Danjō Garan was one of the...»
Niutsuhime Shrine, located in the peaceful Amano Basin of Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the most important ancient Shinto shrines in the Kii Peninsula. Known as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the former Kii Province, it has been worshipped for more than 1,700 years. Niutsuhime Shrine is also regarded as the head shrine of approximately 180 shrines thr...»
Niu Sakadono Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Mitani, Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated at the foot of Mount Kōya near the Kinokawa River, the shrine stands quietly amid a beautiful natural landscape. For centuries, the shrine has been closely associated with the religious traditions of Mount Kōya and has watched over pilgrims traveling toward the sacred mountain. Today, ...»
Kondō Hall is the main worship hall of Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism and stands at the heart of Danjō Garan, one of the two major sacred precincts of Mount Kōya. Its history dates back to the early years of Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), the founder of Mount Kōya as a center of Esoteric Buddhism. For more than 1,200 years, Kondō Hall has played an important role in the religious life of Mount Kōya. Major Buddhi...»
The approach to Okunoin, one of the most sacred areas of Mount Koya, is lined with an extraordinary number of stone monuments and memorials. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 stone monuments stand throughout the cemetery, creating one of Japan’s most impressive sacred landscapes. This is far more than an ordinary cemetery. It is a remarkable cultural landscape where ancient Japanes...»
Jison-in Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition, the temple is also known as “Women’s Koyasan” because of its long association with female worshippers. The temple's principal image is Maitreya Buddha, also known as Miroku or Jison. The name “Jison-in” comes from this sacred figure. Locat...»
KAMURO Tenmangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Minamibaba, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Founded during the Heian period, the shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a renowned scholar and government official who is widely revered in Japan as the deity of learning. The shrine is especially popular with students and their families during Japan's examination season. Many...»
A Taste of Mount Koya and Its Spiritual Heritage One of Wakayama Prefecture’s most distinctive traditional food cultures is Shojin Ryori, the Buddhist vegetarian cuisine that has been passed down for centuries on Mount Koya. Surrounded by mountains rising to around 1,000 meters, Mount Koya is one of Japan’s most important Buddhist sacred sites. The mountain was established as a center of Buddhist...»
Mehari-zushi is a traditional local dish enjoyed for generations in the Kumano region of southern Wakayama Prefecture, as well as parts of southern Mie Prefecture and the Yoshino area of Nara Prefecture. It consists of rice wrapped in the leaves of pickled mustard greens called takana. Although it may look like a simple, oversized rice ball, Mehari-zushi carries a rich history and reflects the wi...»
Kushigaki, or skewered dried persimmons, is one of the traditional specialties of Katsuragi Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Katsuragi is known for producing a wide variety of fruits throughout the year, but the region is particularly famous for its beautiful bright orange persimmons. In the Shigo area, which consists of four mountain settlements—Taki, Hiroguchi, Higashidani, and Taira—the tradition ...»
Kakinoha-zushi, or sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, is a traditional local dish that has been passed down through generations, particularly in the Kihoku area of Wakayama Prefecture. This distinctive style of sushi combines the subtle fragrance of persimmon leaves with the rich flavor of carefully matured fish and mildly sweet vinegared rice. Each piece is typically small and easy to eat, with ...»
Goma-dofu, or sesame tofu, is one of the most distinctive traditional dishes of Koyasan, a sacred Buddhist mountain center in Wakayama Prefecture. Although its name literally means “sesame tofu,” it is completely different from ordinary tofu made from soybeans. Instead, the main ingredients are sesame seeds and kudzu starch. Traditional recipes use high-quality hon-kudzu or Yoshino kudzu, produci...»
Kongobu-ji Head Temple is one of the most important Buddhist temples on Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. As the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, it has attracted pilgrims, worshippers, and travelers for centuries with its profound religious significance, impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and fascinating history. The temple is located northeast of the Danjo Garan sacred complex...»
The Koyasan Cable Car is a funicular railway operated by Nankai Electric Railway, connecting Gokurakubashi Station with Koyasan Station in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Also known as the “Koyasan Cable,” it serves as the gateway to the sacred mountain of Koyasan and is used by pilgrims and travelers from Japan and around the world. The cable car climbs from Gokurakubashi Station, at an elevatio...»
Niu Kanshobu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Jison-in, Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. With a history closely connected to Mount Koya and the Buddhist traditions of Kobo Daishi Kukai, the shrine has long been an important place of worship. The shrine stands on elevated ground just south of Jison-in Temple. According to tradition, it was established when Kobo Daishi...»
Located on the western side of Danjo Garan, one of the central sacred areas of Mount Koya, Sanno-in and Miyashiro Shrine are important sites for understanding the history and religious traditions of Koyasan. The area has long been associated with the deities believed to protect the mountain, even before Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan, established his religious center h...»
Nyonindo, officially known as Fudosaka-guchi Nyonindo, is a historic building located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It was once a place where women who were not permitted to enter the sacred mountain could stay, pray, and worship from outside the restricted area. Mount Koya was established in 816 by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) as a sacred center of Shingon Buddhism. For much of its his...»
Kaki-no-Sato Kudoyama Roadside Station is a popular sightseeing and rest facility in Irigo, Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along Wakayama Prefectural Route 4, it serves as a convenient gateway for exploring the foothills of Mount Koya and the historic town of Kudoyama. For international visitors, a Japanese roadside station (Michi-no-Eki) is more than a place to stop du...»
A Place of Faith at the Foot of Mount Koya Kamuro Daishi is a Buddhist temple located in Kamuro, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Founded in 1910, the temple stands in a historic area along the route leading toward Mount Koya, one of Japan's most important centers of Buddhist faith. For more than a century, it has welcomed people seeking spiritual guidance, healing, and peace of mind. The te...»
Chumon Gate stands at the southern entrance of Danjo Garan, one of the most sacred areas of Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. The beautiful vermilion two-story gate welcomes visitors as they enter the spiritual heart of Koyasan and has long served as an important guardian of the sacred temple complex. Danjo Garan was one of the first areas developed by Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Mount Koy...»
Daimon Gate is the main western entrance to Mount Koya, one of Japan’s most important sacred sites and the spiritual center of Shingon Buddhism. With a history stretching back more than 1,200 years, the gate marks the beginning of a journey into the sacred world established by Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Mount Koya’s Buddhist tradition. Standing at the entrance to the pilgrimage routes lead...»
Danjogaran is the spiritual heart of Mount Koya, a sacred Buddhist complex founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai more than 1,200 years ago. As one of the most important centers of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, Danjogaran has been carefully preserved as a place of prayer, religious study, and Buddhist practice for centuries. The grounds are home to numerous historic buildings, including the famous Konpon Dait...»
The Starting Point of a Journey into a Sacred World Gokurakubashi Station is located in Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, and is operated by Nankai Electric Railway. It is the terminal station of the Nankai Koya Line and the starting point of the cable car that climbs to Mount Koya. For visitors traveling to this sacred mountain, the station serves as an important gateway to the spiri...»
At the heart of Mount Koya's sacred precincts stands Danjo Garan, a complex of historic Buddhist buildings founded as part of Kobo Daishi Kukai's vision for a center of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Among these buildings, the Saito Pagoda, or Western Pagoda, is particularly important. Together with the Konpon Daito, or Great Central Pagoda, it represents the profound Buddhist philosophy that lies at ...»
Kama Hachimangu Shrine, located in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a remarkable sacred site known for its mysterious traditions and unusual form of worship. The shrine is located in a quiet area at the rear of the grounds of Niutsuhime Shrine, near the foot of Mount Koya, a sacred mountain associated with the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountai...»
Horaisan Shrine (寶來山神社, Horaisan Jinja), located in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine surrounded by the rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the Kinokawa River basin. Its origins are traditionally traced back to the Nara Period, more than 1,000 years ago. The shrine is particularly important for its collection of historic structures and art...»
Fudodo Hall is a historic Buddhist hall quietly standing beside a lotus pond on the eastern edge of Danjo Garan, the central sacred precinct of Mount Koya. Designated as a National Treasure of Japan, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings on Koyasan. Surrounded by impressive structures such as the Great Central Pagoda and the Kondo Main Hall, Fudodo has a notably elegant and peaceful appeara...»
Horikoshi Shaku Kannon is a historic Buddhist temple located deep in the mountains of Higashitani, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands in the Shigo area, a mountainous region famous for its traditional production of dried persimmons, and is surrounded by rich forests and peaceful mountain scenery at an elevation of approximately 600 to 650 meters. For centuries, this secl...»
Marutaka Inari Shrine is a small Shinto shrine located on a hill in Sumida Town, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is a subsidiary shrine of the historic Sumida Hachiman Shrine and is best known as a peaceful hidden spot for viewing cherry blossoms in spring. Approximately 150 cherry trees bloom around the hillside in spring, creating a beautiful contrast with the many vivid vermilion torii...»
Nan-in Temple is a historic temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It is one of the temple sub-compounds associated with Kongobu-ji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, and is recognized as an important temple within the Koyasan religious community. Surrounded by the peaceful forests of Mount Koya, Nan-in offers visitors an oppo...»
Suda Hachiman Shrine, located in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine that has supported the religious and cultural life of the local community for centuries. Surrounded by greenery, the shrine grounds offer a peaceful atmosphere as well as valuable cultural assets and beautiful seasonal scenery. The shrine is particularly well known for its Japanese iris flowers. In e...»
Koyasu Jizoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Shobudani, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, its official name is Isansan Gokokuin Jizoji Temple. The temple has long been revered as a sacred place for prayers for safe childbirth. It is also widely known as the “Wisteria Temple” because its grounds become beautifully covered wit...»
Anpu, officially known as Sasamaki Anpu, is a traditional Japanese confectionery from Koya Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Closely connected with the natural surroundings and Buddhist food culture of Mount Koya, this distinctive sweet has long been enjoyed by pilgrims, temple visitors, and travelers as a local specialty and souvenir. Sasamaki Anpu is primarily made by Fuzen, a long-established confe...»
Kudoyama Sanada Museum, located in Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a history museum dedicated to the story of the Sanada clan, one of the most famous warrior families of Japan's Warring States period. The museum focuses on three generations of the family: Sanada Masayuki, Sanada Yukimura (Nobushige), and Sanada Daisuke. Through historical materials, visual displays, and inter...»
Kobara Cave Dinosaur Land is a unique interactive attraction surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The facility makes use of former mining tunnels that were once used to extract copper, transforming the historic underground space into an exciting dinosaur-themed adventure. The cave extends for approximately 500 meters and has a maze-like layout. As vi...»
The Former Katsuragikan Inn is a historic former ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, located in Koyaguchi, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Today, it is carefully preserved as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Located directly in front of JR Koyaguchi Station, the building stands as a reminder of the days when this area served as an important gateway for travelers and pilgrim...»
Zenmyoshoin Temple, located in Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic temple belonging to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition. It is also widely known by the name Sanada-an, or “Sanada Hermitage.” The temple is closely associated with the famous samurai lord Sanada Masayuki and his son Sanada Nobushige, better known as Sanada Yukimura, who spent years in exile in Kudoya...»
Koyasan Reihokan Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the remarkable cultural heritage of Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Since opening in 1921, the museum has protected an extraordinary collection of Buddhist artworks, religious objects, manuscripts, and historical materials associated with Koyasan. Often described as the “Shosoin of the Mountain,” the Reihokan...»
Koyasan Station is the terminal station of the Nankai Electric Railway Cable Line, commonly known as the Koyasan Cable, in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 867 meters, the station marks the final stage of the journey from Gokurakubashi Station, which stands at about 535 meters above sea level. The cable car climbs approximately 328 meters between the two st...»
Kunishiro Shrine stands at the summit of Mount Kunishiro, a mountain approximately 522 meters above sea level on the southern side of the Kinokawa River. For centuries, the shrine has been deeply respected as the Ubusuna-gami, or guardian deity of the local communities of Shimizu, Nishihata, and Minamibaba. The shrine enshrines several important deities, including Amaterasu Omikami, Hachiman Daib...»
Roadside Station Katsuragi Nishi, also known as Katsuragi Nishi Parking Area, is a convenient roadside facility and tourism hub in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located between the Izumi Mountains to the north and the Kii Mountain Range to the south, the town is blessed with a warm climate and significant differences in temperature between day and night. These favorable conditions make Kat...»
Shiide Itsukushima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Shiide, Kudoyama Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated along one of the historic pilgrimage routes leading toward Mount Koya, the shrine has long been an important place of worship for the local community. The shrine is particularly famous as the place where the traditional Shiide Oni no Mai, or “Shiide Demon Dance,” is performed. Des...»
Koi-no-Tulip Field is a popular springtime attraction in the Koino district of Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Every year, from around early to mid-April, the fields are filled with colorful tulips in shades of red, yellow, white, and other bright colors. The most distinctive feature of this flower field is its heart-shaped design. The tulips are planted in the shape of a large heart, inspir...»
Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato is a popular roadside station located along National Route 480 in Taki, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated on an important route connecting Osaka and Wakayama, it serves as a convenient northern gateway to Katsuragi Town and is a popular stop for both tourists and drivers. The facility opened in 2017 and was renovated in 2021, creating an ev...»
The Koyasan Choishimichi is a historic pilgrimage trail connecting Jison-in Temple in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, with the sacred mountain of Mount Koya. Since the Heian period, when the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) established Koyasan as a center of Shingon Buddhism, countless pilgrims have traveled this route on foot. Today, the Choishimichi is designated as part of the National Histori...»
Tamagawa Gorge is a beautiful mountain valley in northern Wakayama Prefecture, stretching along the Niu River, a tributary of the Kinokawa River. The gorge lies across Hashimoto City and Kudoyama Town in Ito District and is known for its peaceful atmosphere, clear mountain waters, and unspoiled natural scenery. Once regarded as a remote and secluded area, Tamagawa Gorge has become much easier to ...»
The History of Shigo and Kushigaki The Kushigaki Village of Shigo is located in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture, and consists of four mountain settlements: Hiroguchi, Taki, Higashidani, and Taira. For more than 400 years, the people of this area have preserved the traditional craft of making kushigaki, or persimmons dried on bamboo skewers. The area lies in the mountains at an elevation of a...»
Koya Town is located in the mountainous northeastern part of Wakayama Prefecture and has developed around Mount Koya, one of Japan's most important centers of Buddhist faith. Rising to an elevation of around 800 meters, Mount Koya is famous as the headquarters of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, a tradition established here by the revered Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi Kukai. Even today, Mount Koya remains ...»
The Koya Pilgrimage Routes are a network of historic pilgrimage trails leading to Mount Koya, the sacred center of Shingon Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). Today, these ancient paths form an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” and attract pilgrims, hikers, and travelers from around the world. ...»
Hokushin Myoken Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated primarily to Myoken-son, a deity associated with the North Star and the Big Dipper. Myoken faith has long been connected with protection of the land, good fortune, and protection from misfortune. Because of these beliefs, the shrine has attracted worshippers not only fr...»
Katsuragi Zao Gongen Shrine stands at Zao Pass on the border between Katsuragi Town in Wakayama Prefecture and Kawachinagano City in Osaka Prefecture. Surrounded by deep mountain forests, this historic shrine is one of the important sacred sites associated with the Katsuragi mountain range, a region deeply connected with the Japanese mountain ascetic tradition known as Shugendo. For centuries, as...»
Roadside Station Kinokawa Manyo-no-Sato is a scenic roadside station located in Kubo, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, along National Route 24. The peaceful Kinokawa River flows nearby, creating a beautiful setting that has been admired and celebrated in Japanese poetry since ancient times. This area has been cherished since the Manyo period, when it was featured in Japan's olde...»
Ouga Daijinja Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Ichiwaki, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. For centuries, it has been deeply connected to the local community and remains an important place of worship today. The shrine was traditionally revered as the So-Ubusunagami, the principal guardian deity of the former Ouga Estate, a medieval estate established around the end of the Heian pe...»
Katsuragi Town is a scenic rural town located in the western part of Ito District in Wakayama Prefecture. The Izumi Mountains rise to the north, while the Kii Mountains stretch across the south, with the peaceful Kinokawa River flowing between them and creating beautiful natural scenery. The town's fertile environment and significant differences in temperature between day and night have made it a...»
Kudoyama Town is a charming historic town in northern Wakayama Prefecture, known for its deep connections with Japanese Buddhism, the samurai warrior Sanada Yukimura, and the sacred pilgrimage routes leading to Mount Koya. Located at the gateway to Mount Koya, Kudoyama has flourished for centuries as a place associated with Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. The town is a...»
Hashimoto Municipal Koyaguchi Elementary School, located in Koyaguchi Town, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a public elementary school with an extraordinary place in Japan's architectural history. While it continues to serve as an active school, its historic wooden buildings are also recognized as an important example of modern Japanese architecture. The school is considered one of the la...»
Hojuin Temple is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It holds an important position within Koyasan Shingon Buddhism as one of the denomination's head temples. The temple's principal object of worship is Mahavairocana Buddha (Dainichi Nyorai), the central Buddha of Esoteric Buddhism. For centuries, the temple has served as a place of religious p...»
Jizōji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Shide, Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition, the temple is formally known as Gyokusuisan Tōyōin Jizōji. Nestled quietly in the mountains, Jizōji stands along the historic Makio Pilgrimage Route, a traditional approach to sacred Mount Koya. For centuries, the route has been trave...»
Makiosan Myojin Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated on the western slope of Mount Makiosan and surrounded by lush greenery, the shrine has long been revered as the Ubusunagami, or guardian deity of the local community. The shrine enshrines Koya Myojin, Shirahige Myojin, and Benzaiten. Traditionally, these deities have been associated with blessing...»
Maruo Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning Maruo Pond inside Sugimura Park in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. The bridge is approximately 65 to 70 meters long and features a distinctive vermilion-colored frame that stands out beautifully against the surrounding greenery. The bridge blends naturally into the park's landscape and offers attractive scenery throughout the year. In winter, the ...»
“Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” is a vast cultural heritage site spanning Wakayama, Nara, and Mie prefectures. Registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site on July 7, 2004, it represents one of Japan’s most important landscapes for understanding the history and traditions of religious devotion. In 2016, additional areas were added and adjustments were made to ...»
The Former Hashimoto Honjin – Ikenaga Family Residence is a historic traditional townhouse in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along the former Yamato Kaido highway, this important cultural property preserves the history and atmosphere of Japan's Edo-period post towns. The residence once served as a honjin, a special lodging facility reserved for feudal lords, members of the imperial ...»
Rishō Gokokuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. It belongs to the Shingon Risshu school of Buddhism and is officially known as Kakōzan Rishōin. Locally, the temple is affectionately called Ōdera, meaning “Great Temple.” With a history stretching back more than a thousand years, Rishō Gokokuji has long been an important center of religious faith ...»
The Pile Textile Museum, located in Koyaguchi Town in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a cultural facility dedicated to introducing the history, craftsmanship, and appeal of the region's traditional pile textile industry. Koyaguchi has developed as a town closely connected with textile production for generations. At the museum, visitors can trace the history of this local industry while le...»
Ouga Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in a quiet forested area of Gomasho, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by lush greenery, the peaceful shrine grounds offer visitors a chance to experience both the beauty of nature and the spiritual traditions of Japan. The shrine has long been deeply connected with the local community. It was formerly designated as a Go-sha (...»
Hatsuzakura Sake Brewery is a historic sake brewery located in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Founded in 1866, the brewery has been producing Japanese sake for approximately 160 years and is the only brewery in Katsuragi that continues the traditional brewing culture of Kawakami Sake, a style of local sake once produced throughout northern Wakayama. The area around Katsuragi h...»
Bunzō Falls is a beautiful and mysterious waterfall located in the Shigō area of Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by lush mountains and a long history of religious practice, the waterfall offers visitors a peaceful and almost otherworldly atmosphere. The falls are located in the upper reaches of the Anabuse River, also known as the Shijūhassen River, which originates ...»
Standing on the northern bank of the Kinokawa River in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture, the Peace Memorial Statue is a monumental symbol dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives in wars around the world and praying for lasting peace. Rising approximately 18 meters high, the imposing statue is taller than the Great Buddha of Nara. Its impressive presence has made it a familiar landmark...»
Kishu Herazao is a traditional Japanese bamboo fishing rod produced mainly in and around Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Specially designed for herabuna fishing, a style of fishing for Japanese crucian carp, these handmade rods are highly regarded by anglers throughout Japan. The area around Hashimoto has long benefited from its location at the foot of Mount Koya. The surrounding mountains p...»
Hatagonbo, also written as Hata-gobo or “Hatagonbo Burdock,” is a traditional vegetable that has been cultivated for generations in the Nishihata area of Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Deeply connected to the region's history, landscape and farming traditions, this distinctive burdock is one of Hashimoto's most unique local specialties. The name Hatagonbo comes from the burdock traditionall...»
Hashimoto Omelet is a relatively new local specialty from Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Since 2016, the city has promoted Hashimoto Omelet as a way of introducing the area's attractions through food. Today, these omelets have become one of the dishes visitors can enjoy while exploring Hashimoto City. The concept combines locally produced ingredients with the familiar and approachable form ...»
Maeda Family Residence is a historic traditional house located in Koyaguchi Town, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Registered as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property, this valuable building preserves the atmosphere of a merchant's residence dating back to the Edo period. The house stands along the former Yamato Kaido, an important historic route connecting communities in the reg...»
Kurokomichi is one of the historic pilgrimage routes leading to Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. The trail connects Hashimoto City with Kudoyama Town and Koya Town, crossing the mountains on its way to one of Japan's most important Buddhist sacred sites. For centuries, pilgrims, religious practitioners, merchants and local residents traveled this mountain route toward Mount Koya. In 2016, Kurok...»
Ogoji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition located in Hashimoto, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Its mountain name is Chuko-zan, and its principal Buddhist image is Kusei Kannon Bosatsu, a form of Kannon associated with saving people from suffering. The temple was founded by Mokujiki Ogo, a Buddhist monk who was active during the turbulent years at the end of...»
Jofukuji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition located in Kendo, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shiun-zan, and its principal Buddhist image is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. For centuries, Jofukuji has been a place of worship for local residents. The temple is particularly significant because it stands at the startin...»
Hashimoto City is located in northeastern Wakayama Prefecture, bordering Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture. Thanks to its strategic location, the city has developed for centuries as an important transportation hub connecting the Kansai region. Hashimoto flourished as a gateway to Mount Koya, one of Japan's most important Buddhist sacred sites. Historic highways, including the Koya Kaido and th...»
Hanazono Onda-mai is a rare and valuable traditional folk performing art that has been preserved for generations in the Yanase district of Hanazono, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. The tradition has been designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property since January 21, 1981. Deep in the mountains surrounding Mount Koya, the performance preserves an old Japanes...»
Omiya Shrine, located in Hiroguchi, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic shrine that has long been deeply revered by the local community as its ujigami, or guardian deity of the area. For generations, local residents have turned to the shrine as an important place of prayer and spiritual connection. Despite suffering severe damage during periods of war and upheaval, th...»
Aritoshi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine's principal deity is Omoikane no Mikoto, a kami traditionally associated with wisdom, intelligence and thoughtful judgment. For centuries, Aritoshi Shrine has been revered by people seeking blessings related to knowledge, wisdom and success. Its distinctive name is connected to an ...»
Hanazono Onsen Kahō-no-Sato is a peaceful hot spring inn located in the lush mountains of Katsuragi, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful nature that changes with the seasons, the inn offers a relaxing escape from the noise and bustle of everyday life. Guests can stay overnight and enjoy the inn's natural hot spring baths, which are also available for day visitors. This makes it easy to e...»
Koyagami, also known as Kishu Koyagami or Furusawa Paper, is a traditional type of Japanese handmade paper, or washi. It has been produced for centuries mainly in Kudoyama Town and Koya Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Koyagami was traditionally made only in a limited group of communities known as the “Ten Villages of Koya”. Closely connected with the religious traditions of Mount Koya, the paper dev...»
Ichijoin Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. As one of the prestigious temples known as a “Bekkaku Honzan,” it has played an important role in the religious history of Mount Koya for centuries. Located in the heart of the sacred mountain founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai, Ichijoin welcomes both pilgrims and trav...»
Ryukoin Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Known as one of the special head temples of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, it has played an important role in the religious history of Mount Koya for centuries. Surrounded by the quiet and sacred atmosphere of Mount Koya, Ryukoin is one of the area's distinguished temples, with a long history ...»
Koya-Ryujin Skyline is a scenic mountain road stretching approximately 42.7 kilometers from the area near Okunoin on Mount Koya in Koya Town to Ryujin Village in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Connecting the sacred mountain of Mount Koya with the famous Ryujin Onsen hot spring resort, the road winds through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula and is widely known as one of Wakayama's most impres...»
Hokiin Temple is a prestigious temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It is a historic temple lodging (shukubo) widely known by the traditional name “Okoromo-dera,” or the Temple of the Sacred Robe. Located in a quiet area near Danjo Garan, Hokiin has a special place in the religious culture of Mount Koya. The temple has preserved a profound tr...»
Myoo-in Temple is a prestigious temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism located in the Hon-nakain Valley of Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. As a sub-temple of Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of Mount Koya, it has a long history and also operates as a shukubo, or Buddhist temple lodging. Myoo-in is particularly famous for enshrining the Red Fudo Myoo, one of the three most revered Fudo ...»
The Kishu Koyagami Traditional Papermaking Museum “Shiyu-en”, located in Kudoyama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a unique cultural attraction where visitors can learn about the history and techniques of Koyagami (Furusawa-gami), a traditional type of Japanese handmade paper, and experience the papermaking process for themselves. Located at the foot of sacred Mount Koya, the museum combines local h...»
The Matsuyama Tsunejiro Memorial Museum in Kudoyama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, introduces the life and achievements of Matsuyama Tsunejiro, a businessman and politician who was born in the town. Located along the historic shopping street known as Sanada-no-Michi, the museum is an interesting destination for travelers who want to discover the people and stories behind Kudoyama's history. Through ...»
Makio-michi is a historic pilgrimage route leading toward Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. For centuries, it has supported the religious journeys of pilgrims and preserved the traditions of faith and prayer associated with the sacred mountain. The route connects Mount Makio and Shippō-ji Temple in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, with Mount Koya. It is also traditionally associated with Kobo Daishi Kuk...»
The Kyoto-Osaka Road, known in Japanese as Kyo-Osaka-michi, is one of the major historic pilgrimage routes known collectively as the “Seven Entrances to Mount Koya”, or Koya Nanakuchi. For centuries, pilgrims traveling from Kyoto, Osaka, and Sakai used this route to reach Mount Koya (Koyasan), one of Japan's most important centers of Buddhist faith. Several historic roads from Kyoto and Osaka co...»
Koyashita Station is a station on the Nankai Electric Railway's Koya Line, located in the mountainous area of Kudoyama Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 108 meters, the station lies beyond Hashimoto Station as the railway begins to enter the increasingly mountainous landscape leading toward Mount Koya. Originally opened during the Taisho period, the station...»
Rokuji-no-Kane, meaning the “Six O'Clock Bell,” is a historic bell tower on Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands near the entrance to Jabaramichi, the approach leading toward Danjogaran, on the western side of Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. For centuries, the bell has marked the passing of time for monks and visitors to Mount Koya. Even...»
Shinganji Temple is a temple of the Shingon school of Buddhism located in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands next to Hōraisan Shrine, an ancient shrine that contains several nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. Today, Shinganji is a quiet temple, but it once served as the jingūji, or Buddhist temple associated with a Shinto shrine, of Hōraisan Shrine. B...»