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| Konpondaito |
Koyasan (高野山) is a complex of temples located in the Kii Mountain Range in Wakayama prefecture, and it is the center of Singon Buddihism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kukai, posthumously named Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most significant religious figures.
In 2004, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site, and it has just been selected as one of twenty "Best of the World" destinations for 2015 National Geographic Traveler magazine's December 2014/January 2015 issue.
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| Kongobuji |
A small and secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters to one of Japan's most sacred sites providing a peaceful and serene mountain retreat. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum (Okunoin) and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
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| Monks practicing asceticism |
Koyasan warmly welcomes both pilgrims and visitors. There are 52 temples that provide lodging (Shukubo), and the accommodations are fastidious and comfortable. Temple monks take care of most daily chores, such as food preparation and serving vegetarian monk's cuisine (Shojin ryori) including Halal meals for Muslims, cleaning, room preparation, etc.
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| Inner sanctuary 1 |
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| Inner sanctuary 2 |
While staying at shukubo, visitors can participate in activities such as morning ceremony, sutra copying and meditation. Not all temples offer all activities, so please check with your shukubo to see what is available.
In 2004, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site, and it has just been selected as one of twenty "Best of the World" destinations for 2015 National Geographic Traveler magazine's December 2014/January 2015 issue.
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