One of the must-visit places we had in mind for our Grad Trip was
Koyasan, and the experience was definitely worth the day trip there. I'm not one for temples and historical stuff, but I still enjoyed myself because of the amazing photo opportunities. Also, it helps that the weather there was still pleasantly spring-ish in May while Kyoto was already unbearably hot.
We took the Nankai Koya Line (limited express) from Namba station to Gokurakubashi station and then changed to the cable car line to Koyasan Station. We used the
Kansai Area Pass (5200 yen for 3 days) to cover the train journey there and the bus routes within Koya area, and paid additional to use the Limited Express service.
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Koyasan Cable Car from Gokurakubashi Station to Koyasan Station. It's a car built on a slant!
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We made a stop at Koyasan Shukubo Association to rent audio guides at 500 yen each. They weren't really that useful and most of the info recorded were available on signs scattered throughout Koyasan. Also plugging earphones in kinda distracted from the overall sensory experience.
The 2km long walk in Okunoin cemetery towards Kobo Daishi Mausoleum was the most peaceful part of the whole trip. The path is lined with cedar trees and thousands of gravestones, giving the site an otherworldly presence.
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| The water purification area where it is custom to rinse the statues with water |
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| Riot of colour outside Reihokan Museum |
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| Shop selling various types of mochi |
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| Entrance to Kongobuji, Head Temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism |
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