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Koyasan
高野山Wakayama · Kansai
A mountaintop monastic town founded by Kukai in 816 — over 100 working temples and the Okunoin cemetery, where 200,000 lanterns light a path through cryptomeria forest at night. Stay in a temple lodging and join morning prayers.
- Best season
- Spring · Autumn (winter is bitterly cold)
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Opening hours
- Seasonal — see below
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Note
- Okunoin always accessible; temples 8:30–17:00
Travel tipNankai Koya Line + cable car; the Koyasan-World Heritage Ticket bundles return travel.
Tags
spiritualtempleculturehistoryunesco
Location
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