Koyasan is a holy land built in the mountains by the Monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in 816 as an ascetic training center of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. There are today 117 temples and sanctuaries that instill solid faith in many and form one of the most prominent religious enclaves in Japan. This course takes you through the history of Koyasan via numerous World Heritage Sites that dot this vast mountaintop refuge.
A “shukubo” is a temple with lodgings. There are 53 of them in Koyasan, all of which have an original look, Japanese garden, painted sliding doors and historical importance. This course allows visitors to leisurely enjoy Koyasan through an overnight stay at a shukubo and a closer encounter with Buddhism.
For centuries after its inception, Koyasan strictly adhered to the religious precept of prohibiting women in the sanctuary. Therefore, temples for women called “nyonindo” were built at the seven entrances to Mt. Koya for women to pray. The precept was abolished in 1872, but the sites of the nyonindo are a reminder of this past. This course visits these sites and recalls what women went through.
World Heritage Walking Course
