Koya, Buddhist temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
The town of Koya extends across an elevated plain at 800 meters, surrounded by eight mountain peaks forming a natural lotus-shaped boundary.
The Buddhist monk Kukai established the first monastery in 819, which gradually expanded into the present-day town and religious center.
The settlement contains 120 temples where monks maintain traditional Buddhist practices, including morning ceremonies and meditation sessions for visitors.
Travelers can reach Koya by taking the Nankai Railway from Osaka to Gokurakubashi Station, followed by a cable car to the mountain top.
The Okunoin cemetery houses 500,000 graves within a cedar forest, making it the largest cemetery in Japan with tombs dating back centuries.
Location: Ito district
Inception: April 1, 1889
Website: https://www.town.koya.wakayama.jp/
Shares border with: Kudoyama, Katsuragi, Gojō, Nosegawa, Hashimoto
Website: https://town.koya.wakayama.jp
GPS coordinates: 34.21614,135.58653
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:10
Kongōbu-ji
321 m
Kōyasan Station
1.5 km
Jison-in
9.4 km
Kōyasan chōishi-michi
7.1 km
Kongō Sanmai-in
663 m
Niukanshōfu Shrine
8.1 km
Tokugawa Mausoleum
353 m
Hōju-in
840 m
Zenmyōshō-in
8.7 km
Koyasan Reihōkan
714 m
Okoromo-dera
920 m
Myōō-in
566 m
Shōjōshin-in
793 m
Ryūkō-in
551 m
応其寺
11.5 km
Gobōjakujō-ji
474 m
Makiosan Myōjinsha
8.2 km
Jōfuku-ji
10.6 km
前田家住宅
10.3 km
多聞院 (高野町)
402 m
Muryōkōin
125 m
Nichirin-ji
6.7 km
Jizō-ji
6.4 km
東家渡場大常夜燈籠
11.2 km
Niutsuhime Shrine
7.9 km
Koyasan Digital Museum
508 m
Kongōbu-ji Fudōdō
658 m
Kongō Sanmai-in Tahōtō
718 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes