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Dish · Koya
Goma-dofu
Firm sesame cream made from ground sesame, kuzu starch and water, served in cubes with wasabi and soy sauce. A dish from the vegetarian cuisine of the monks of Koyasan, the sacred mountain of Shingon Buddhism.
Wakayama · Japan
Koya
In the destination Koyasan.
In the photo: Facade of Kongobu-ji temple, in Koya.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The city
What to expect from Koya.
Koya is the small town atop Mount Koya, about 800 meters above sea level, that grew around the Shingon Buddhist temples founded by Kukai in 816. The Okunoin cemetery, the Danjo Garan complex, Kongobu-ji temple and the Daimon gate are part of the Kii Mountains World Heritage Site. Dozens of temples host guests, offering vegetarian meals and the morning ceremony.
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Where to stay
There's no accommodation in the guide yet in Koya.
Your trip
how to get there · how many days · itinerary · questions
Flavors of Japan
To try in Koya
The local experience
What to see in Koya
Sacred site
Okunoin
Cemetery and shrine where, according to Shingon belief, Kukai remains in eternal meditation. A path of about 2 km runs among centuries-old cedars and more than 200,000 graves and memorials to the lantern hall and the mausoleum.
Temple complex
Danjo Garan
Complex of halls and pagodas planned by Kukai in the center of Koyasan, with the large red pagoda Konpon Daito, nearly 50 meters high, and the Kondo hall. Next to it is the Reihokan museum, with treasures of Buddhist art.
Temple
Kongōbu-ji
Head temple of the Shingon school of Koyasan, with sliding-door rooms painted by the Kano school and the Banryutei, one of the largest rock gardens in Japan, representing two dragons among clouds.
Historic monument
Daimon Gate
The large west entrance gate of Koyasan, from 1705, about 25 meters high with two statues of guardian kings. It stands on the slope crest with views over the Kii Peninsula mountains.
Beyond the guide
