The following is a suggested 2-day itinerary for average-paced travelers which takes you through Koyasan, the center of Shingon Buddhism. Parts of the route, namely the Women Pilgrims Course, follow a nature trail, and proper walking shoes are recommended, especially during or after wet weather.

Day 1: Okunoin and Temple Lodging

Start
Start at Koyasan Station
Bus
15 minutes
Karukayado-mae bus stop
Walk
5 minutes
Okunoin Temple
Temple where Kobo Daishi is enshrined 2-3 hours
Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism and an important figure in the religious history of Japan. The grounds contain a huge graveyard of those who want to be close to Kobo Daishi.
Walk
20 minutes
Head to your temple lodging in the town by bus or on foot
Temple Lodging
Overnight at a Buddhist temple
Stay overnight at a temple lodging (shukubo) and participate in the temple activities like meditation. Facilities at a shukubo tend to be simple, and meals served are vegetarian monks' cuisine (shojin ryori).
Finish

Day 2: Temples and a Pilgrimage Trail

Start
Check out of the temple lodging after breakfast
Walk
Kongobuji Temple
Head monastery of the Shingon sect 45-60 minutes
Kongobuji Temple is a large temple where visitors can see exquisitely painted fusuma doors from the 16th and 17th centuries. The rock garden in the back of the temple is one of Japan's largest.
Walk
5 minutes
Garan
Koyasan's central temple complex 45 minutes
The Garan consists of several buildings, of which the two most prominent ones are the Kondo Hall and the Konpon Daito Pagoda. Of note is also the Chumon Gate which was reconstructed recently.
Walk
10 minutes
Daimon Gate
Large vermilion gate 5 minutes
A large, two-story tall gate that marks the traditional entrance to Koyasan.
Women Pilgrims Course
Hiking trail that was traditionally for women 60 minutes
The Women Pilgrims Course leads around the town of Koyasan and was built for women who were banned from entering the town before 1872. We walk the section from the Daimon Gate to the only surviving Nyonindo Hall, halls built for female pilgrims.
Nyonindo bus stop
Bus
5 minutes
Finish
Koyasan Station

Hotels around Mount Koya

Top rated on Mount Koya
Budget:
    • Guest House hachi hachi
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, Guest House hachi hachi is an accommodation situated in Koyasan, 37 km from Kishi Station and 43 km from Matsushita Park. The 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation features full-day security and bicycle parking for guests. At the guest house, each unit includes a desk. The units are equipped with heating facilities. A continental breakfast is available at the guest house. A bicycle rental service is available at Guest House hachi hachi. Wanpaku Park is 45 km from the accommodation, while Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore is 46 km from the property. Kansai International Airport is 60 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com
    • Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu
      Budget-friendly
      Located just 40 km from Kishi Station, Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu offers accommodation in Koyasan with access to a terrace, a bar, as well as luggage storage space. It is set 45 km from Subaru Hall and features bicycle parking. The guest house provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and linens for a supplement. At the guest house, every unit includes a shared bathroom with slippers. A continental breakfast is available at the guest house. The area is popular for hiking, and bike hire is available at this 1-star guest house. Matsushita Park is 47 km from Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu. Kansai International Airport is 63 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.4Booking.com
    • Guest House Suzumeno Kakurembo
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, Guest House Suzumeno Kakurembo is set in Koyasan, 37 km from Kishi Station and 44 km from Matsushita Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, full-day security and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Jigenin Temple is 47 km from the guest house and Subaru Hall is 48 km away. At the guest house, some units are soundproof. Wanpaku Park is 46 km from the guest house, while Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore is 46 km away. Kansai International Airport is 60 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.1Booking.com
    • Koyasan Shukubo Saizenin
      Mid-range
      Located in the sacred Koyasan area, Saizenin offers simple accommodation surrounded by mountains and many temples. Originally developed as a lodging for the templesf pilgrims, it conducts Buddhist services every morning that guests can attend. Nankai Koyasan Train Station is a 15-minute drive away. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, each room comes with a flat-screen TV and a seating area. A safety deposit box is also provided. The ‚–μŽR h–V Ό‘T‰@ -Koyasan Shukubo Saizenin- features luggage storage and free parking. Kansai International Airport is 40 km away. Nankai Namba Train Station in Osaka is a 2-hour train ride from the proprety. Healthy vegetarian meals are served in the guest room or in the dining room for dinner and breakfast.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • Koyasan Shukubo Jokiin
      Mid-range
      Located in Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‚–μŽR h–V νŠμ‰@ -Koyasan Shukubo Jokiin- offers free private parking. All rooms include a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms have a seating area where you can relax. Rooms have a shared bathroom. ‚–μŽR h–V νŠμ‰@ -Koyasan Shukubo Jokiin- features free WiFi throughout the property. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can participate in the morning prayers upon request. The property is a minute's walk from Kongobu-ji Temple. The temple building is also situated nearby.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • Koyasan Shukubo Yochiin
      Mid-range
      Located in the sacred Mount Koya area, ‚–μŽR h–V χ’r‰@ -Koyasan Shukubo Yochiin- is a historic temple and an accommodation for visitors. Just to the left of entering sanmon gate, there is a stone garden created by the famous Mirei Shigemori and designated a natural monument by the Japanese government. Guests can experience temple activities such as meditation, sutra copying and tracing of Buddhist deities at an additional charge, if reserved in advance. Guests can also participate in morning prayers, which do not require reservation. All rooms at ‚–μŽR h–V χ’r‰@ -Koyasan Shukubo Yochiin- are Japanese-style and feature tatami (woven-straw) floors. Traditional futon bedding, a TV, fan and heater are provided. Bathroom and toilet are shared with other guests. The spacious public baths feature a hot tub. On-site luggage storage is available. Guests with reservations that include a meal can enjoy delicately prepared homemade vegetarian meals featuring seasonal dishes. Convenience stores are located within a 3-minute walking distance from the property. It is a 10-minute walk from the famous Kongobuji Temple. Guests can visit the Buddhist temple, Danjogaran, just a 3-minute walk away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • Koyasan Sanadabo Rengejoin
      Luxury
      Offering a garden and inner courtyard view, Koyasan Sanadabo Rengejoin is situated in Koyasan, 46 km from Matsushita Park and 48 km from Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore. The 4-star ryokan has garden views and is 39 km from Kishi Station. The ryokan features rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. At the ryokan, each unit is fitted with a tatami. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with bathrobes, slippers and a hair dryer. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The ryokan offers an Asian or vegan breakfast. Subaru Hall is 48 km from Koyasan Sanadabo Rengejoin, while Jigenin Temple is 49 km from the property. Kansai International Airport is 62 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Sojiin
      Luxury
      Sojiin, located in the center of Mt. Koya, is a Japanese-style accommodation in a Buddhist temple located to the west of Sohonzan Kongobu-ji and in front of Danjo Garan. For dinner and breakfast, we offer gluten-free vegetarian cuisine. Sojiin is 42 km from Sakai. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 40km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Koyasan Shukubo Fumonin
      Mid-range
      Situated just 45 km from Matsushita Park, Koyasan Shukubo Fumonin features accommodation in Koyasan with access to a garden, a shared lounge, as well as a lift. Featuring free private parking, the 3-star ryokan is 38 km from Kishi Station. The ryokan has family rooms. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. All units at the ryokan have air conditioning and a desk. The ryokan offers an Asian or vegetarian breakfast. Wanpaku Park is 47 km from Koyasan Shukubo Fumonin, while Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore is 47 km from the property. Kansai International Airport is 61 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Kongo Sanmaiin
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in the famous Koyasan city, Kongo Sanmaiin is a property with 800 years of history. It boasts having a national treasure as well as over 10 important cultural properties on site. There is a Japanese garden and free on-site private parking is offered. Guests will find free WiFi connection available in some guest rooms. There is a drinks vending machine, and fax/photocopying services are offered for free. The property features a designated smoking area. Luggage storage space and personal lockers are offered free of charge. Guestrooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Rooms are air-conditioned/heated with a personal locker and a flat-screen TV. Bathrooms and toilets are shared, while free toiletries and slippers are provided. Vegetarian course meals are offered on site.
      View on Booking.com
      8.3Booking.com