Koya, Buddhist temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Description
Koya is a settlement on an elevated plateau at 800 meters, surrounded by eight mountain peaks that form a natural lotus-shaped boundary. Over 120 temples are spread across the grounds and define the character of this religious community.
History
The Buddhist monk Kukai founded the first monastery here in 819, which gradually grew into the religious town we see today. The site expanded over centuries to become a major spiritual center of Buddhism.
Culture
This settlement serves as the center of Koyasan Buddhism, where monks practice daily rituals and meditation that have continued for centuries. Visitors can participate in these spiritual activities and experience the religious rhythm of the community.
Practical
Visitors can take the Nankai Railway from Osaka to Gokurakubashi Station and then ride the cable car up the mountain. The grounds are accessible on foot via walking paths, and spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for exploring.
Did you know?
The Okunoin cemetery holds around 500,000 graves within a dense cedar forest and ranks among the world's largest cemeteries. The tombs span different eras and the surrounding woodland creates a quiet, meditative space.
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Mount Kōya
612 m
Kongōbu-ji
427 m
Okuno-in Temple
1.7 km
Tateri kōjinja
9.2 km
Kōyasan Station
1.5 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
Koyasan Reihōkan
714 m
Okoromo-dera
920 m
Myōō-in
566 mShizensha-hongū
5.7 km
Shōjōshin-in
793 m
Ryūkō-in
551 m
Gobōjakujō-ji
474 m
Shiide Itsukushima Shrine
6.5 km
多聞院 (高野町)
402 m
Muryōkōin
125 m
Nichirin-ji
6.7 km
Jizō-ji
6.4 km
Niutsuhime Shrine
7.9 km
Koyasan Digital Museum
508 m
Kongōbu-ji Fudōdō
658 m
Kongō Sanmai-in Tahōtō
718 m文館詞林残巻
312 m紀伊高原ゴルフクラブ (Kii Kogen Golf Club)
6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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