Ought to You Do a Koyasan Temple Keep?

It took me a few years after my first journey to Japan to do a Koyasan temple keep. It wasn’t till Might 2018, in actual fact, that the chance lastly got here up. My pal Suguru from Tokyo had dedicated to journey all the way down to Wakayama prefecture with me for the weekend—and to mountaineering up Mt. Koya with me, no much less.

After selecting Koyasan lodging, I did little or no analysis into find out how to do the Koyasan trek or what to do atop Mt. Koya (apart from staying in a temple)—and this was very a lot to my peril. Let’s simply say that the monk who mans the check-in counter at Hongaku-in temple was not happy when Suguru and I arrived after sundown.

I’ve since been again to Mount Koya half a dozen instances, so I can say this definitively: Koyasan is likely one of the most unforgettable locations in Japan. I hope these tales of my Mount Koya temple keep encourage you to embark by yourself religious journey!

Why Ought to You Do a Mount Koya Temple Keep?

The origin story of Koyasan goes one thing like this. Across the flip of the ninth century, a Kyoto monk by the title of Kukai turned fed up with the trimmings and temptations of life within the capital, and fairly actually headed for the hills to stake out extra sacred floor. Though no Koyasan temple standing right this moment bodily existed all these years in the past, the city of Koyasan has been frequently inhabited for the reason that time of Kukai.

Because of this, a Koyasan keep isn’t merely a possibility to sleep inside an actual Buddhist temple, or an Instagram story that may make others gasp in awe. Whether or not you hike to the highest of Koyasan (extra on that in actually 10 seconds) or take a faster, extra trendy manner there, you’re actually taking part in a conventional that’s as previous as Japan as we all know it, and following within the footsteps of the person who based Koyasan within the first place.

Ought to You Hike to the High of Koyasan?

Again in 2018, Suguru and I made a decision to pair our Koyasan temple stick with a hike up Koyasan, which was each simpler than I anticipated (there aren’t any excessive modifications in elevation, nor poorly-manicured sections of path) and for much longer. Each of us are avid hikers who keep a superb tempo, and the ~20 km journey took up practically 7 hours. If you wish to hike Koyasan, right here’s what you must do:

• Trip a prepare from Osaka’s Nankai-Namba station to Kudoyama (which could necessitate a switch in Hashimoto)
• Stroll to Jison-in temple, the place the Koyasan Pilgrimage formally begins
• Tempo your self and keep the course—there’s just one small tea home to cease about 60% alongside the best way
• Strive to not leap for pleasure once you see Daimon (which very a lot lives as much as its English translation—”massive gate”) after going up a steep set of stairs—this means you’ve reached the highest
• Purchase a bear bell, however don’t fear an excessive amount of about the specter of bears

In fact, you needn’t undertake the Koyasan hike to remain in a temple—I’ve solely ever achieved it as soon as myself. Relatively, you possibly can board any Koyasan-bound prepare from Nankai-Namba station to Gokurakubashi, the place you’ll switch to the Koyasan Cable Automotive. Relying on which prepare you board, the complete journey takes between 2-3 hours, although you shouldn’t that it’s not lined by the Japan Rail Move.

 

 

 

Contenders for the Finest Koyasan Temple Keep

Eko-in

Relating to the numerous selections you will have for a Mt. Koya temple keep, Eko-in is much and away the most well-liked choice. Some main professionals embody that it’s only some steps away from the geographical middle of Koyasan, and the employees speaks superb English. An enormous con, nevertheless, is that that is the place the overwhelming majority of vacationers on group excursions keep.

Hongaku-in

Which brings me to the second shukubo choice: Hongaku-in. Though I may’ve achieved with out the aforementioned monk scolding Suguru and myself for arriving late, each different a part of our expertise right here was fabulous, from our vegan sashimi dinner, to the straightforward on-site onsen, to the magical morning prayers.

Joki-in

When you’re in search of a Koyasan monastery keep that’s nearer to Danjo Garan than to the city of Koyasan itself, Joki-in is a worthy selection. From the well-manicured on-site backyard to the upscale really feel, that is undoubtedly among the best locations to remain in Koyasan. However, costs are on the excessive facet, with nightly charges of ¥30,000 (or extra) removed from unusual.

Saizen-in

The place to remain in Koyasan? An alternative choice is Saizen-in, the place I stayed throughout my newest journey to Koyasan in February 2023. It shares many commonalities with Joki-in, though you’ll discover it simply north of Danjo Garan versus simply east of the temple advanced. I discover that each of those two selections are perfect for older {couples} who need to totally escape the circus Koyasan can generally be within the period of social media (not in contrast to how Kukai wished to flee Kyoto), and youthful people who find themselves previous at coronary heart like me (I’m kidding…type of).

Fudo-in

Fudo-in is in the same location to Eko-in, however in contrast to that widespread Koyasan lodging keep, the straightforward (although not too long ago renovated) rooms right here don’t have a tendency to draw throngs of group vacationers. The value of a keep at Fudo-in additionally tends to be on the extra inexpensive finish—two vacationers can keep right here with dinner and breakfast for beneath ¥20,000, complete, most nights of the yr.

 

 

 

What to Do Atop Mt. Koya (Moreover Shukubo)

Sleeping in a Koyasan temple is fabulous, nevertheless it’s not the one recreation on the town. Neither is Koyasan City, charming as it might be, the one a part of the mountaintop value exploring. Assuming you hike, you’ll should stroll by means of the unbelievable Danjo Garan temple advanced en path to whichever temple you’re staying at from Daimon.

Likewise, sooner or later throughout your Koyasan temple keep, you’ll need to go to Okuno-in Cemetery, which you’ll be able to entry by bus. Kukai himself is alleged to be interred right here, although that truth alone isn’t what makes the picturesque and atmospheric Koyasan cemetery value visiting.

Different Issues to Do in Wakayama Prefecture

Doing a Mt. Koya temple keep is magnificent, nevertheless it’s solely the start of what to do in Wakayama. A few of my different favourite choices embody:

• Mountain climbing the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
• Staying within the fortress metropolis (and prefectural capital) of Wakayama
• Swimming at paradisiacal Shirarahama Seashore
• Boating into the islands simply offshore, like Engetsu-jima

Moreover, Koyasan temples aren’t the one ones to find in Wakayama, whether or not you marvel on the Kumano Nachi Taisha “waterfall temple” or go to underrated Kongobu-ji, which can also be house to a tranquil rock backyard. Moreover, you possibly can even go to Koyasan on a day journey from Osaka, if staying in a temple isn’t best for you.

Different FAQs About Koyasan

What number of temples are there in Koyasan?

Relating to a Koyasan temple keep, there are at the very least a dozen temples providing a shukubo expertise. So far as temples in Koyasan general, the numbers is approaching 100. This is sensible, in fact, when you think about that Kukai based this place over 1,000 years in the past!

What does Koyasan imply?

Koyasan actually means Koya (高野) Mountain (山). Koya merely means “excessive area,” so nothing particular. As you might discover throughout your Mt Koya temple keep, it’s the so-called “mountain title” of the Kongobu-ji temple that sits atop it.

The place is Mount Koya in Japan?

Mt. Koya is situated in Wakayama prefecture, within the southern a part of Japan’s Kansai area, which can also be house to Osaka and Kyoto. Notice that if you wish to take pleasure in shukubo, Koyasan is well worth the trek irrespective of the place in Japan you’re coming from!

The Backside Line

Whether or not or not you’re taking the very lengthy hike as much as the highest, doing a Koyasan temple keep (also referred to as shukubo) is likely one of the most magical experiences you possibly can have. I ought to know: I’ve come again right here half a dozen instances over time, together with as not too long ago as February 2023. No matter form your journey takes, be sure to get up early so as to watch the morning prayers, and to depart time atop Mt. Koya to discover sights corresponding to Danjo Garan temple advanced and Okuno-in, the cemetery the place Kukai himself is buried. Nonetheless need assistance planning your Koyasan journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary!