Things to Experience in Koyasan
Within the mountain grounds, there are sightseeing spots rich in Buddhist culture and historical background. Visiting them alongside your stay will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the area's history.
Daimon Gate
A vermilion main gate towering at the western entrance of Koyasan, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Kongorikishi (Nio guardian) statues are enshrined on both sides, offering a view unique to the entrance of a sacred precinct.
Koyasan Daishi Kyokai
The administrative headquarters for missionary work of the Koyasan Shingon sect, featuring facilities such as a Grand Lecture Hall built in the Taisho era. You can participate in authentic Buddhist rituals and training experiences, such as Jukai (receiving Buddhist precepts from a monk) and Shakyo (sutra copying to calm your mind in the silence).
Tokugawa Family Mausoleum
A mausoleum designated as a National Important Cultural Property, established by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate, enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tokugawa Hidetada. The standing sanctuaries feature intricate carvings, lacquerwork, and maki-e gold lacquer, allowing visitors to view early Edo period architectural styles.
Fudozakaguchi Nyonindo
A hall located at a pilgrimage entrance, established for women who were not allowed into the mountain to offer their prayers back when Koyasan prohibited women until the early Meiji period. It is the only surviving building among the former women's halls and is a precious site that conveys the history of faith.
5 Recommended Shukubo in Koyasan
Prices may fluctuate, so please check the official page or booking page when making a reservation.
Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, heating, and a TV. Check-in time is from 15:00, and check-out time is until 10:00.
Confirmed features of Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin:
- Approx. 10 minutes by bus from Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, approx. 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, Kongobuji-mae
- A smaller bath may be used if the large bath is unavailable depending on the situation
- Free parking available for 10 vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis
- Payment by credit card is not accepted on-site
Check availability on Agoda (multi-language booking) →
Check Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin on Jalan.net
Note: This booking page is in Japanese only.
Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin
Free Wi-Fi connection is available in all rooms, and non-smoking rooms are also available.
Bath operating hours are from 16:00 to 21:00, and bathing is not available in the morning.
Confirmed features of Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin:
- 1-minute walk from the "Renge-dani" bus stop, approx. 10 minutes by local bus from Koyasan Station
- Credit cards accepted on-site: JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, and Diners
- Standard check-in time is from 15:30
- Free parking is available
Check Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin on Jalan.net
Note: This booking page is in Japanese only.
Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin
All rooms have air conditioning/heating, a TV, and free Wi-Fi, and non-smoking rooms are also provided.
They serve the lodging's proud Shojin Gozen (Buddhist vegetarian banquet course) prepared with carefully selected ingredients.
Payment by credit card is not accepted on-site.
Confirmed features of Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin:
- 7-minute walk from Kongobuji Temple, 3-minute walk from Danjo Garan
- 1-minute walk from the "Koyasan Koko-mae" bus stop
- Bath operating hours are from 16:00 to 21:00
- Free internet connection via Wi-Fi is available in all rooms
- Bathing for guest rooms is handled by using the large public bath
- Standard check-in time is from 15:00
- Free parking is available
- Standard check-out time is until 9:00
Check availability on Agoda (multi-language booking) →
Check Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin on Jalan.net
Note: This booking page is in Japanese only.
Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin
You can enjoy dishes made with seasonal natural ingredients, and there is a bath made of Koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine).
In winter, anti-skid devices such as tire chains may be required.
Confirmed features of Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin:
- After getting off at Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, 15 minutes by Nankai Rinkan Bus, 1-minute walk after getting off at the Karukayado-mae bus stop
- TVs in guest rooms have been discontinued
- Free internet connection via Wi-Fi is available in all rooms
- Standard check-in time is from 15:00
- Credit cards accepted on-site: JCB, VISA, and Mastercard
- Free parking is available
- Standard check-out time is until 10:00
Check availability on Agoda (multi-language booking) →
Check Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin on Jalan.net
Note: This booking page is in Japanese only.
Koyasan Jimyoin
Bathing hours are from 16:00 to 21:00. Credit cards accepted: JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, UC, DC, NICOS, Diners, UFJ, Saison, and Nihon Shinpan.
Wheelchair rental is available. Elevator access for moving between floors is not supported.
Confirmed features of Koyasan Jimyoin:
- Take the cable car from Gokurakubashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line to Koyasan Station, take the Nankai Bus (bound for Okunoin) for 15 minutes, get off at Renge-dani, and walk 1 minute
- Features a men's bath made of green granite and Japanese cypress, and a women's marble bath, heated using pure stream water from the mountain behind
- Traditional Shojin Ryori (vegetarian cuisine) is brought to your room on a dining tray
- No hot spring
- Equipped with a TV as standard room amenities
- Standard check-in time is from 15:00
- Free parking is available
- Wheelchair ramps in front of the entrance are not supported
- Standard check-out time is until 10:00
Check availability on Agoda (multi-language booking) →
Check Koyasan Jimyoin on Jalan.net
Note: This booking page is in Japanese only.
Browse Koya hotels on Agoda (multi-language booking) →
Summary of Differences Among the 5 Lodgings
Based on confirmed facts, here is a summary of similarities and differences among the 5 lodgings. Items that could not be confirmed do not necessarily mean they "do not exist."
Common Features
- Parking is available
Features Common to Some Lodgings
- Free wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) is available (Sanpoin, Hojoin, Daimyoin)
- Room amenities: TV (Ryusenin, Hojoin, Daimyoin, Jimyoin)
- Non-smoking rooms available (Sanpoin, Hojoin)
- Shojin Ryori (vegetarian cuisine) provided (Hojoin, Jimyoin)
Differences Depending on the Lodging
- On-site credit cards: Ryusenin, Hojoin = Not accepted / Sanpoin, Daimyoin, Jimyoin = Accepted
Points Confirmed at Only One Lodging
- Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin: Room amenities: Air conditioning and heating
- Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin: Bath: Large public bath / Room amenities: Air conditioning and heating
- Koyasan Jimyoin: Barrier-free facilities: Wheelchair
Points to Note Before Booking
Here are points you should check before booking, summarized from the confirmed facts of the introduced lodgings.
- No hot spring (Jimyoin)
- Credit card payments on-site are not accepted (Ryusenin, Hojoin)
- When staying at cash-only lodgings, please prepare cash in advance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there hot springs or bath facilities?
- Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin: A smaller bath may be used if the large bath is unavailable depending on the situation.
- Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin: Bath operating hours are from 16:00 to 21:00, not available in the morning.
- Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin: Bath operating hours are from 16:00 to 21:00. Bathing for guest rooms is handled by using the large public bath.
- Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin: Features a bath made of Koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine).
- Koyasan Jimyoin: There is no hot spring.
How is the access from the nearest station?
- Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin: Approx. 10 minutes by bus from Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, approx. 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, Kongobuji-mae.
- Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin: 1-minute walk from the "Renge-dani" bus stop, which is approx. 10 minutes by local bus from Koyasan Station.
- Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin: 7-minute walk from Kongobuji Temple, 3-minute walk from Danjo Garan. 1-minute walk from the "Koyasan Koko-mae" bus stop.
- Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin: After getting off at Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, 15 minutes by Nankai Rinkan Bus, 1-minute walk after getting off at the Karukayado-mae bus stop.
- Koyasan Jimyoin: Take the cable car from Gokurakubashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line to Koyasan Station, take the Nankai Bus (bound for Okunoin) for 15 minutes, get off at Renge-dani, and walk 1 minute.
What are the payment methods on-site?
- Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin: Payment by credit card is not accepted on-site.
- Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin: Credit cards accepted on-site: JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, and Diners.
- Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin: Payment by credit card is not accepted on-site.
- Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin: Credit cards accepted on-site: JCB, VISA, and Mastercard.
- Koyasan Jimyoin: Credit cards accepted on-site: JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, UC, DC, NICOS, Diners, UFJ, Saison, and Nihon Shinpan.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
- Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin: Standard check-in time is from 15:00. Standard check-out time is until 10:00.
- Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin: Standard check-in time is from 15:30. Standard check-out time is until 10:00.
- Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin: Standard check-in time is from 15:00. Standard check-out time is until 9:00.
- Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin: Standard check-in time is from 15:00. Standard check-out time is until 10:00.
- Koyasan Jimyoin: Standard check-in time is from 15:00. Standard check-out time is until 10:00.
Conclusion
Please check availability and facility details for your desired dates on the booking page, and proceed with planning your stay.
Koyasan Shukubo Quick Comparison
A detailed comparison is as follows:
| Accommodation | Confirmed Features | Booking Site |
|---|---|---|
|
Koyasan Shukubo Ryusenin (高野山 宿坊 龍泉院)
|
A smaller bath may be used if the large bath is unavailable depending on the situation / Approx. 10 minutes by bus from Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, approx. 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, Kongobuji-mae | Jalan.net |
|
Koyasan Shukubo Sanpoin (高野山 宿坊 三宝院)
|
Bath operating hours are from 16:00 to 21:00, not available in the morning / 1-minute walk from the "Renge-dani" bus stop, approx. 10 minutes by local bus from Koyasan Station | Jalan.net |
|
Koyasan Shukubo Hojoin (高野山 宿坊 宝城院)
|
Bathing for guest rooms is handled by using the large public bath / 7-minute walk from Kongobuji Temple, 3-minute walk from Danjo Garan | Jalan.net |
|
Koyasan Shukubo Daimyoin (高野山 宿坊 大明王院)
|
Features a bath made of Koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine) / After getting off at Nankai Electric Railway Koyasan Station, 15 minutes by Nankai Rinkan Bus, 1-minute walk from the Karukayado-mae bus stop | Jalan.net |
|
Koyasan Jimyoin (高野山 持明院)
|
No hot spring / Take the cable car from Gokurakubashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line to Koyasan Station, take the Nankai Bus (bound for Okunoin) for 15 minutes, get off at Renge-dani, and walk 1 minute | Jalan.net |
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