Koyasan Temple Stay: How to Get There & What to Expect

After exploring Kyoto, we added a detour to Koyasan (Mount Koya), thanks to a friend who had lived in Tokyo and highly recommended it. It turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our Japan trip.

Tucked high in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan feels like a world apart : a serene, spiritual retreat suspended in time. Founded over 1,200 years ago by the monk Kobo Daishi, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the center of Shingon Buddhism and offers visitors a rare chance to experience living tradition.

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How to get to Koyasan from Kyoto:

The journey from Kyoto to Koyasan takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and is a spiritual pilgrimage in itself.

1. Kyoto to Osaka (Namba Station)

Take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (~30 minutes).
From Osaka Station, transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line at Umeda Station and ride to Namba Station (~10 minutes).

2. Namba to Gokurakubashi Station

From Namba Station, take the Nankai Koya Line Limited Express or Express train to Gokurakubashi Station.
Travel time: ~90–100 minutes.
Make sure you board a train that goes all the way to Gokurakubashi.

3. Gokurakubashi to Koyasan Station (Cable Car)

Transfer to the Koyasan Cable Car, a short but spectacular ride up the mountainside.

4. Koyasan Station to Temple Town (Bus)

From Koyasan Station, take a local bus into the temple town center.

The JR Kyoto Line is covered by the JR Pass. The Nankai Koya Line and the cable car require separate tickets, which can be purchased together at the station or online via the Nankai Electric Railway website.

As you ascend, the air cools noticeably, so pack a light pullover or jacket.

Staying Overnight in a Koyasan Temple

Koyasan is home to over 100 temples, many of which offer shukubo (temple lodging) experiences. We stayed at Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin (高野山宿坊不動院), and it remains one of the highlights of our trip.

What to Expect in a Temple Stay:

Tatami rooms: You’ll sleep on futons laid out on traditional tatami mats.
Shojin ryori: Enjoy exquisite vegetarian Buddhist cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients.
Onsen-style baths: Shared public baths (separated by gender).
Morning prayers: Rise early to join the monks in prayer, followed by a simple yet unforgettable breakfast.

We arrived around 3 PM, which gave us enough time to wander through town and walk to the Okunoin Cemetery before nightfall.

Okunoin Cemetery Night Tour

One of the most powerful experiences in Koyasan is the Okunoin Cemetery, Japan’s largest and most sacred burial site. Thousands of lanterns, ancient cedar trees, and moss-covered tombstones create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

We joined a guided Okunoin night tour, which lasted around 1.5 hours (about 4 km round trip).

Meeting Point: Ichinohashi Bridge (Okunoin Entrance)
Start Time: 7 pm
End Point: Gokusho (near the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi)
Highlights: Walking the lantern-lit paths and learning about the history of Kobo Daishi and Shingon Buddhism.

Our temple curfew at 9 pm meant we returned just in time, a quiet walk back through the darkened town that felt almost otherworldly.

Final Thoughts: Why Koyasan is Worth It

Staying overnight in Koyasan is more than just a trip, it’s a spiritual experience. From the solemn morning prayers to the magic of Okunoin Cemetery at night, this mountain retreat allows you to step into centuries of tradition.

If you’re traveling from Kyoto or Osaka and have time to spare, make sure to include a Koyasan temple stay in your Japan itinerary. It will be an experience you’ll never forget.