Spiritual walk in Koyasan 高野山の散歩道
Hiking wisdom
Mount Koya is a mountain range southeast of Osaka, right in Wakayama prefecture, which is home to a religious group founded by the famous monk Kukai. It is possible to follow in his footsteps and make the pilgrimage of about 25 kilometers through the mountain leading – on the plateau at the summit at an altitude of 800 meters – to the religious buildings.
Choishi michi
The choishi michi ("path of stone markers") is a 24-kilometer path established by the monk Kûkai in 816 which leads to the top of the religious complex of Shingon Buddhism, a complex of which he is the founder. 108 stone steles line the route and allow you to know the distance that remains to be traveled. Originally, pilgrims stopped in front of each of these stelae to pray there, and it is not uncommon even today to have offerings placed at their feet.
Koya san
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The journey begins at the bottom of the mountain, at the level of the Jison-in temple in the city of Kudoyama until the Konpon Daitô ("Great Pagoda"), which is located a little after the impressive Daimon ("great door") vermilion. 36 additional headstones have been placed on the path leading to the largest cemetery in Japan: the Okunoin.
The calm immensity of the forest
After a steep ascent of 4 to 5 kilometers awaits an impressive view of the rice fields nestled in a maze of mountains. It is the forest of Mount Koya...
The hundred-year-old cedars which gather in high forests offer you the spectacle of majestic nature, on which the sun struggles to impose the law of its light, and let fall on your shoulders a welcome freshness amid the heat of summer. Clear paths, almost highways, follow escarpments, paths in guts or stairs. A few picturesque old bridges cross the rivers and send you back to a Japan lying in the history books. The last strides before the triumphal arrival in front of the Daimon gate can be tiring, especially after a nice day's walk!
See our file: Spiritual Immersion
Buddhist statue on the Choishi Michi
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Prepare yourselves!
The pilgrimage takes an average of 7 hours. It is advisable to start the route in the morning, so as not to end up in the darkness of the late afternoon. Don't forget to take something to eat, and especially to drink, as Mount Koya seems to be one of the very few places in the country where you won't find a vending machine! In addition, it is advisable to take a bear bell with you, as the presence of these large plantigrades has been observed.
To go further: 5 pilgrimages to do in Japan
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
From Shin-Imamiya station in Osaka, take the Koyasan line and get off at Kudoyama station (1h15). From there walk for 15~20 min to Jison-in temple.
