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Koyasan Full-Day Private Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelersWakayama Prefecture, Japan
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Koyasan is a spiritual retreat town nested in the mountains. Along with your private local guide, uncover its religious lineage, intriguing shrines, and cultural monuments. The tour will include two of Koyasan's most important areas: the Garan-monastic complex and Okunoin, a holy place for Kobo Daishi (founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism). The Okunoin cemetery is filled with gravestones and centuries-old cedar trees for a mysterious and sacred atmosphere.
- Walk about 3 km in the Okunoin, a place of mystery and serenity
- Visit Kongobuji temple, the main temple for Koyasan's Shingon Esoteric Buddhist sect
- Explore the religious and spiritual aspects of Koyasan with a local guide
- See the Danjo Garan, where Buddhist monks study and train
What's Included
- Guide Fee
- Lunch
- Admission fees to temple facilities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Daimon GateKoyasan, 高野町 Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan
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.
End point
- KongobujiKoyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan
Start time .10:00 am
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Questions?
Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.
Product code: 85884P5
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Gloria_P, Jul 2024
Our tour guide did a fantastic job of showing us the wonders of Koyasan. She was thorough, professional and very friendly. Her knowledge of the area was impressive. Would highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you very much for givng me such a womderful review! I also enjoyed spending time with you in Koyasan. Especially it was impressive to walk in Okunoin cemetary with you talking about this and that.
Again,thank you very much for joining the tour.
I hope to see you again.
Noriko
Charles_S, Jun 2024
We spent a day with Noriko at Koyasan. She provided a wonderful tour for the three of us, my wife, younger son and myself. Her tour provided an excellent introduction to Japanese spirituality and religion. The sites were well selected, and provided a nice overview of Koyasan. The tour through Oku-no-in was fascinating historically. Noriko is a passionate and effective teacher, a caring guide, and we thoroughly enjoyed her companionship!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for giving me a wonderful review. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed my tour.
I myself had a very enjoyable time showing you my loving Koyasan and chatting with three of you. Please come back to Japan and visit Kumano area if you like hiking and touch the Japanese spirits in nature.
Thank you for having me as your guide.
See you again.
Noriko
Sayre_G, Jun 2024
This tour was a special and memorable day. Noriko is a perfect guide, and provides detailed history and education about Kukai, esoteric buddhism and the shrines. We had a fabulous day together, even in the rain!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for giving me a wonderful review.
I myself enjoyed showing you around Koyasan and chatting with you. I was very impressed by your answer when I asked you what is the most important thing for us to live. You answered "Love", Mary answered "water". Yes. we need both-material thing and spiritual thing- non dual aspects! That's the Kukai' teaching.
Thank you for having me as your guide.
See you again.
Noriko
emily_o, May 2024
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!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you very much for a wonderful review. I myself enjoyed very much talkng about Japan with the young people from France as well as showing you around Koyaan. I'm very happy if our discussion helped you understand Japan. Plaese come to Japan again.
Kind regards,
Your Japanese mother, Noriko
Roland_S, May 2024
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!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for leaving a great review. I'm honored to have it. I myself also enjoyed showing you around Koyasan. Thank you for choosing my Koyasan tour. I hope your memory of Koyasan will last forever.
Noriko
Fred_F, Apr 2024
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you very much for giving me such a womderful review! I myself enjoyed chatting about Buddhism and Kobo Daishi-Kukai with you and Helen during the tour. I would be very honored if I could help you know about Kukai and Japanese culture.
Please come and see me again.
Thank you again, Fred and Helen.
Noriko
Carol_E, Mar 2024
Koyasan is spiritual, beautiful, and well worth the trip. We had a wonderful guide, Noriko, who is very knowledgeable and kind, would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you so much for joining the Koyasan tour. I had a wonderful time with you in Koyasan. I'm honred to hear that you enjoyed Koyasan with me.
Please come and see me in Kumano Kodo next time.
See you again.
Noriko
Gareth_E, Apr 2023
Noriko's tour for our group of 6 was fantastic - we all learned so much more than we would have if we'd only explored Koyasan alone. Noriko went above and beyond to ensure we not only had a great day but she also helped us with some other parts of our trip to Japan.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you very much for choosing my tour and giving me a wonderful review! I'm very houred to hear that you enjoyed Koyasan with me. I also had a great time with your family.
Did you solve the problem with Ryokan well?
I hope you had a lot of great memories in Japan!
Noriko
From $129.68
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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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