Mount Koya: Getting there and around

Take a JR special rapid train from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station (30 minutes, departs every 10-15 minutes) and change to the JR Osaka Loop Line (inner loop) to Shin-Imamiya Station (15 minutes, frequent departures). The entire one way trip costs 950 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

From Shin-Imamiya Station take the Nankai Koya Line to the Gokurakubashi terminal station. A few limited express trains operate directly to Gokurakubashi (80 minutes, 1720 yen, every 1-3 hours). Otherwise take an express or rapid express train (100 minutes, 930 yen, every 20-30 minutes), most of which require a transfer at Hashimoto Station along the way.

At Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cablecar which travels up the mountain to Koyasan. The ride takes about five minutes and costs 500 yen. From the top station, it is a ten minute bus ride into the town center (460 yen to Senjuinbashi bus stop). Note that it is not permitted to walk along the street which connects the cablecar station with the town center.

To save money consider using the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Railway Pass.

Take the Hankyu Kyoto Line and Sakaisuji Subway Line from central Kyoto (e.g. Kyoto-Kawaramachi or Karasuma Station) to Tengachaya Station (60 minutes, 700 yen, one transfer along the way typically at Awaji, Ibarakishi or Takatsuki Station).

At Tengachaya Station change to a Nankai Koya Line train to the Gokurakubashi terminal station. A few limited express trains operate directly to Gokurakubashi (80 minutes, 1720 yen, every 1-3 hours). Otherwise take an express or rapid express train (90 minutes, 930 yen, every 20-30 minutes), most of which require a transfer at Hashimoto Station along the way.

At Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cablecar which travels up the mountain to Koyasan. The ride takes about five minutes and costs 500 yen. From the top station, it is a ten minute bus ride into the town center (460 yen to Senjuinbashi bus stop). Note that it is not permitted to walk along the street which connects the cablecar station with the town center.

To save money consider using the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Railway Pass.

Take the Keihan Main Line from eastern Kyoto (e.g. Sanjo or Gion-Shijo Station) to Kitahama Station (50 minutes, 430 yen, departures every 10-20 minutes) and change to the Sakaisuji Subway Line to Tengachaya Station (10 minutes, 240 yen, frequent departures).

At Tengachaya Station change to a Nankai Koya Line train to the Gokurakubashi terminal station. A few limited express trains operate directly to Gokurakubashi (80 minutes, 1720 yen, every 1-3 hours). Otherwise take an express or rapid express train (90 minutes, 930 yen, every 20-30 minutes), most of which require a transfer at Hashimoto Station along the way.

At Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cablecar which travels up the mountain to Koyasan. The ride takes about five minutes and costs 500 yen. From the top station, it is a ten minute bus ride into the town center (460 yen to Senjuinbashi bus stop). Note that it is not permitted to walk along the street which connects the cablecar station with the town center.

To save money consider using the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Railway Pass.