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Koyasan Okunoin
Surrounded by a grove of cedar trees over 800 years old, this is a holy place in Koyasan where many spirits, including Kobo Daishi's Nyujo (Entering Meditation) and the warring feudal lords, rest.
"Koyasan Okunoin," the holy site where Kobo Daishi's Nyujo (Entering Meditation), is a center of faith that attracts many worshippers. More than 200,000 gravestones, monuments, and memorials stand in a grove of cedar trees 800 years old.
On both sides of the stone-paved path leading from the entrance "Ichinohashi Bridge" to the "The Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi," there are tombstones and memorial towers of warlords such as Oda Nobunaga, Takeda Shingen, and Date Masamune, haiku monuments of Matsuo Basho and Takahama Kyoshi, and Jizo statues with unique stories, including "Sweat Jizo" and "Makeup Jizo”. You can walk along the 2-km path while taking your time to look around.
It is the official way to cross the Mausoleum bridge (Gomyo Bashi Bridge), where Kobo Daishi is said to greet worshippers by bowing before crossing it and heading toward the Mausoleum from the front. Please note that taking pictures is not allowed beyond the bridge of the Mausoleum. It is recommended to take a rest at "the Syotokuden Tea Hall," a rest area in front of "the Mausoleum bridge(Gomyo Bashi Bridge) before visiting the Mausoleum.
Highlights
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Koyasan is the holy place where Kobo Daishi's Nyujo (Entering Meditation) is the temple and is the center of faith.
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More than 200,000 tombstones, memorials, and cenotaphs of feudal lords stand in a grove of cedar trees.
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There is a parking lot near the "Nakanobashi Bridge," but it is official to visit from the "Ichi-no-Bashi Bridge.
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The Sotokuden Tea Hall, built to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Koyasan, can be used as a rest area.
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Taking pictures are not allowed beyond the "Mausoleum bridge (Gomyo Bashi Bridge)."
Photos
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![It is about 2 km away from Ichinohashi Bridge to the Mausoleum.]()
It is about 2 km away from Ichinohashi Bridge to the Mausoleum.
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![The Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum attracts many visitors in all seasons.]()
The Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum attracts many visitors in all seasons.
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![Prayers and good luck charms are offered at the Toro-do Hall (lantern hall), lit by an unquenchable fire.]()
Prayers and good luck charms are offered at the Toro-do Hall (lantern hall), lit by an unquenchable fire.
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)
There are no pamphlets for the Okuno-in itself.
Q
Do you have temple’s red ink stamps?
Yes, it is available. In addition to regular temple’s red ink stamp (Goshuin), special temple’s red ink stamp (Special Goshuin) are available on Daikokuten and Fudo Myoo's temple festival days.
Q
Is parking available?
In front of Ichinohashi Bridge is a paid parking lot operated by the Shukubo Association. There is a parking lot at the entrance to the approach on the Nakanobashi bridge side, and the side road to it also serves as a temporary parking facility.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Coin lockers are in front of the parking lot at the Nakanohashi Kaikan.
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 高野山奥之院
- Postal Code
- 648-0211
- Address
- 550 Koyasan, Koyacho, Itogun, Wakayama
- Telephone
- 0736-56-2011 （Kongobuji）
- Holiday
- Open every day
- Hours
- May to October 8:00am-5:00pm, November to April 8:30am-4:30pm
- Admission
- Free
- Directions
- 20 minutes by Nankai Rinkan Bus from Koyasan Station on the Nankai Koya Line to "Okuno-in-mae" stop, 15 minutes walk (Kongobuji Temple)
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- Website
- Official Website (Japanese)