Koyasan - A World Heritage Site in Wakayama Prefecture

This video, titled "［4K］高野山 KOYASAN temple JAPAN　 (World heritage)高野山観光 voyage viaggio KOYASAN Goma fire ritual 密教 世界遺産," was released by "Discover Nippon."
It's a promotional video of Koyasan, a world heritage site in Wakayama prefecture in Japan's Kansai region.

Koyasan is an ascetic school for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism that was opened by Kobo Daishi Kukai in Wakayama prefecture approximately 1,200 years ago.
Explore the charms of Koyasan a power spot in Wakayama prefecture said to bring good fortune.

Koyasan - A Sightseeing Destination in Wakayama Prefecture With 1,200 Years of History

Photo：Kongobuji Temple, Koyasan

The area around Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture is a famous place revered as a sacred place for Japanese Buddhism along with Hieizan Enryakuji Temple located in Shiga, Kyoto.
Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect, built Koyasan in Wakayama in 816, more than 1,200 years ago.
Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, is a historic religious city with more than 100 temples.
You can see Kongobuji Temple illuminated by lights after sunset at 5:57 in the video.
In 2015, a commemorative service celebrating the 1200th anniversary of the founding of Koyasan was held.

Sightseeing On Koyasan

Photo：Danjo Temple

There are many scenic tourist spots in the Koyasan area surrounded by nature.
At the entrance to Koyasan, there is a bright, red-painted gate called Daimon Gate.
Danjo Garan, located just beyond Daimon Gate, is the main hall where the main Buddhist services of Koyasan are held.
On the approach to the inner temple, there are graves of famous Sengoku warlords, such as Nobunaga Oda, Takeda Shingen, the father and son graves of Takeda Katsuyori, Akechi Mitsuhide, Ishida Mitsunari, and the Toyotomi clan.

An Enjoyable Sightseeing Trip to Koyasan

Photo：Kongobuji Temple, Koyasan

We highly recommend visiting the temples and taking in the beautiful scenery.
You can find beautiful views at the temples during spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and in the fall when the autumn leaves have changed to brilliant shades of red and orange.
The weather is good in both spring and autumn, so you can enjoy sightseeing around all of the lesser-known spots of Koyasan as well.
The precincts are quite large, so we recommend sightseeing by car if possible.

Many people visit the temples of Koyasan and receive shuin stamps to commemorate their visit.
Be sure to purchase popular souvenirs, such as the incense of Koyasan Daishido (高野山大師堂) and Mirokuishi steamed buns from Kasakuni (みろく石本舗かさ國).

Summary of Koyasan, a Sacred Place For Buddhism in Wakayama Prefecture

Photo：The Lotus Pond at Danjo Garan, Koyasan

Koyasan, which was an ascetic school of Buddhism with a long history, has several shukubo (temple lodgings).
You can always book a hotel in Wakayama prefecture for sightseeing on Koyasan, but if you want to try the invaluable experience of staying at a temple, we definitely recommend staying at a shukubo.

◆Koyasan Overview Information ◆
【Address】Kongobuji Temple｜132 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0294
【Access】
・Train：Nankai Koya Line: Get off at Gokurakubashi Station, take the Nankai Koyasan Cable and walk from Koyasan Station.
・Car：About 2 hours from central Osaka. Nearest highway exits: Wakayama IC (和歌山IC) on the Hanwa Expressway (阪和自動車道) and Habikino IC (羽曳野IC) on the Minami-Hanna Expressway (南阪奈道路)
【Admission Fee】Kongobuji Temple｜General：¥500, Elementary School Students：¥200 (※As of December 2019)
【Hours】Kongobuji Temple｜8:30 - 17:00
【Closures】No Holidays
【Parking】There are many parking lots nearby, however, it can be very busy on the weekends so please keep this in mind.
【Telephone】Kongobuji Temple｜0736-56-2011

【Official Website】Koyasan Shingon Sect Sohonzan Kongobuji Temple
https://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/

【Tripadvisor】Koyasan
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1121341-d1028543-Reviews-Mt_Koya-Koya_cho_Ito_gun_Wakayama_Prefecture_Kinki.html