Okunoin night walk

At nightfall, cross the Ichinohashi bridge and enter the vast and majestic Koyasan cemetery, until you reach the Kukai mausoleum.

The largest Buddhist cemetery in Japan

More than 200,000 tombs, along a path almost 2 km long, hundreds of lanterns to light up your way, and thousands of cedars rising under the stars. You're in Japan's largest and most famous cemetery. Walk through the night until you reach the Kukai Mausoleum(known as Kobo Daishi in Japan) - this is what the Okunoin night walk is all about.

A mystical walk to Kukai Mausoleum

As one goes deeper into the forest and over a succession of bridges, the calm becomes more profound, and the moss covering the tombs denser. With a little luck, you will see the musasabi (flying squirrels) which inhabit the site, jumping from one tree to another. It's said that Kukai is not dead but continues to meditate, and watches over the souls who pass through the cemetery.

Night-time visit with an English-speaking guide

After dinner, your English-speaking specialist guide from Koyasan will pick you up at your accommodation at 7pm and accompany you through your night at the cemetery, telling you all the stories, from the symbolism of the shape of the tombs, to the role of the Miroku Bodhisattva, to the memories of Kukai.

Please let us know where you are staying so that your guide can meet you there.

Cancellation policy:

Up to 7 days before: 0%

Between 7 days before and 5:00 p.m. the previous day: 50%

After 5:00 p.m. the previous day and same day: 100%