Kōya-san 高野山
Monastery complex
Kōya-san is a uniquely Japanese place where you can experience staying at a shukubō, a temple lodging - get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian cuisine (shojin-ryōri) and attending morning prayers. Around 50 temples at Kōya-san offer lodging to both pilgrims and visitors - book via online search engines.
The great saint Kōbō Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism, established Kōya-san as his remote mountaintop monastery complex in 826 and he is interred here at the magnificent Okunoin. The 2km walk from Ichinohashi Bridge (first bridge) to Okunoin is one of the most atmospheric experiences in Japan, lined with over 200,000 tombstones under massive cedar trees.
Kōbō Daishi also founded the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku pilgrimage and pilgrims traditionally come here to ask for his support on their journey before setting out.
There are also a number of short pilgrimage trails around Kōya-san to be enjoyed.
The Kongōbu-ji is head monastery of the Shingon sect and well worth a visit.
Kōya-san, along with the Kumano Kodō and Yoshino, is world heritage-listed as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.