Plan the Perfect Trip to Koyasan from Osaka – Complete Guide to Koyasan

Koyasan is the perfect escape from the busy city of Osaka either for a day or an overnight stay! Perched on top of a mountain, Koyasan is surrounded by pristine forests and home to the most stunning Buddhist temples.

In this complete guide to Koyasan, we tell you the best way to get to Koyasan from Osaka, how to get around plus we share what we consider the perfect one-day itinerary for Koyasan! So, let’s get into it!

Complete Guide to Koyasan

Kōya-san, Mt. Koya or Koyasan, as we will be using it for simplicity, is a town located in the mountains of Kii Peninsula in Japan’s Kansai region. Koyasan was founded in the 9th century and has ever since been a place for retreat and spirituality.

Today, it is a popular destination for Japanese and foreign tourists alike, most easily accessed from Osaka. While especially stunning during momiji, it is a great destination year-round.

Is Koyasan worth a trip?

Personally, we really liked our time in Koyasan and definitely think it is worth a trip. If you are not sure whether Koyasan is for you, then answer the following two questions: Do you like being in nature, particularly in forests? And, do you like visiting temples and more spiritual sites? If you answered both of these questions with “Yes”, then I am sure you will absolutely love Koyasan!

How much time do you need for Koyasan?

While Koyasan is a really fascinating destination, it is not that huge and as such you can easily see all its highlights in a day. If you have the time (and budget) to do so, we would suggest thinking about spending the night in Koyasan.

• For one, it takes away the stress of having to catch your ride back to Osaka on the same day.
• But also, Koyasan is well-known for its stunning temple-stay accommodations and therefore spending the night in Koyasan can be quite the highlight in and of itself. It is however no must.

In short, we would recommend spending one day in Koyasan, either as a day trip from Osaka (or as part of a road trip around the Kii Peninsula, which is what we did). OR, if time and budget allow it, by spending a full 24 hours here and staying the night.

How to get to Koyasan from Osaka

Unlike e.g. doing a day trip to Nara from Osaka, where you can literally show up at the station and hop on the next available train, getting to Koyasan from Osaka requires a bit more planning in advance! Especially, if you are in a time crunch.

In this section, we give you an overview of your options for getting to Koyasan from Osaka, which truly are not that many. Essentially, you can either travel by train or rent a car.

🚉 Travel to Koyasan by train

If you want to go to Koyasan using public transport, then train travel is your best option. However, before we get into your train options, there is one thing you need to know first.

Since Koyasan is located on top of a mountain (of the same name), the closest train station to Koyasan, namely Gokurakubashi Station, is located at the foot of Mt. Koya. From here you will have to catch a cable car (~5 min ride; Price: ¥390) to get to Koyasan Station and then a local bus (~10-15 min ride; Price: ~¥360-460) to get to Koyasan itself.

There is a direct train line connecting Osaka and Koyasan: the Nankai-Koya Line. The line runs from Namba Nankai Station to Gokurakubashi Station and is serviced by two different trains: a commuter train and a limited express.

The Nankai-Koya Line Express & Local Train

If you decide to take the commuter train to Gokurakubashi Station, there is a high chance you will have to transfer trains at Hashimoto Station. At Namba Station, take the Nankai-Koya Line Express bound for Hashimoto (~55 minutes ride) and then transfer to the Nankai-Koya Line Local Train bound for Gokurakubashi Station (~38 minutes ride). This route should cost you ¥930 one-way and since no special ticket is required you can pay for it using your IC-Card.

The Koya Limited Express

• The Limited Express is a tad more convenient. It takes ~1h 30 minutes and takes you straight from Namba Station (alternatively you can also get on at Shin-Imamiya Station) to Gokurakubashi Station.
• However, it only runs 4 times per day, at 8:40 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. (last updated 23.01.2025). Check the official Nankai website in case the schedule has changed in the meantime.
• Also you need to purchase a separate ticket for this limited express. Essentially you pay the standard fare of ¥930 for this journey as you would taking the commuter train + you additionally have to purchase a special limited express train ticket for ¥790 in advance. This ticket ensures you a reserved seat on the limited express which you can select prior to your journey, the ticket itself will be provided in the form of a QR Code.
• The additional limited express ticket can be purchased on the Nankai Limited Express Reservation website. (Note: The website can be changed to English😉). Here you have the choice between the Nankai Line, which connects Osaka and Kansai Airport, and the Koya Line. Select the second one and follow the instructions of the website.

Note: Since both trains are operated by Nankai and not JR, neither of the trains is included in the JR Pass. However, there is a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket, which may save you some money if you decide to take the train. But more on that later.

🚗 Getting to Koyasan by rental car

Another option to get to Koyasan is renting a car e.g. at Kansai International Airport and driving to Koyasan yourself. While this option has the big advantage that you are way more flexible, we would only recommend to do this if you plan on doing a more elaborate road trip around the Kii Peninsula. Otherwise the process of renting a car is probably more time consuming and expensive than taking the train.

If you do decide to rent a car, the journey from Kansai Airport to Koyasan will take ~1hour and 20-40 minutes. First you’ll have to navigate your way to the town of Kaseda via Japan’s expressways (do note that Japan is quite fond of toll roads😆). Then, make your way into the mountains following a long and windy road. Parking in Koyasan is quite decent, we didn’t have to look for a spot for long and parking always ended up being free.

What is the best way to get to Koyasan from Osaka?

For the average traveller, planning on visiting Koyasan as a day trip from Osaka, we would say that it’s best to either:

• take the Koya Limited Express at 8:40 a.m. (expect to arrive in Koyasan town roughly at 10:40 a.m.),
• OR, take the Nankai-Koya Line commuter train at 9 a.m. (which for some reason seems to be a direct train, arrival should be ~11 a.m.),
• OR, if you prefer to arrive way earlier, take the Nankai-Koya Line commuter train at 7:14 a.m. (expect to arrive at ~9:30 a.m.)

Note: If you plan on staying the night in Koyasan, you can take your time a bit more in getting there. Nonetheless, we would still suggest you arrive in Koyasan before noon to make the most of your day.

As with most small towns throughout Japan, there won’t be much going on in Koyasan after 5 p.m., just keep that in mind😉. As such, if you only visit for the day 4-5 p.m. is probably a good time to head back to Osaka.

How to get around Koyasan?

Now that you are in Koyasan you may ask yourself: What is actually the best way to get around? Is Koyasan walkable?

In short, yes Koyasan is quite a walkable destination. There is some form of pedestrian walkway nearly everywhere alongside the main road in Koyasan. Also, when we visited the main road was not that busy (except for the occasional bus or car), so walking alongside it did not feel like a nuisance.

However, you should be aware that Koyasan’s highlights are definitely quite spread out. From the Daimon Gate, which marks the entrance to Koyasan, to the famous Okunoin Cemetery at the other end of town lie roughly a 3,5 kilometres in distance. For some this is probably a very okay distance to walk, for others it may not be.

In case you are part of the latter crowd, there are local buses going back and forth in Koyasan. They are not super frequent, but there is a bus usually 3-4 times per hour. The most frequent one is bus 41 of the Koyasannai Line. Expect to pay ~¥380 for a ride from the Daimon Gate to Okunoin Cemetery. Local buses can be paid by IC-Card.

Our recommendation: If you come to Koyasan by rental car, there is a lot of free parking alongside the road right in front of Okunoin Cemetery. From here you can take the local bus to Daimon Gate after you arrive and then gradually make your way back towards Okunoin Cemetery and your car as you explore Koyasan.

🎟️ The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket – Is it worth it?

In case you have not heard of it before, the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is a transportation pass by Nankai Railways specifically designed to facilitate travel to and around Koyasan. So, what is included?

• A round-trip to Koyasan Station. Take any of the Nankai-Koya Line commuter trains (from Namba or Shin-Imamiya Station) + the cable car to get to Koyasan Station and back to Osaka.
• Note: When travelling to Koyasan with this pass, you are not allowed to exit and re-enter a train station mid-journey. Also this pass does not include the limited express, you’ll still have to buy the limited express tickets separately.
• A local bus pass for unlimited bus rides around Koyasan.
• The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is valid for 2 consecutive days, i.e. worth it not only for day trippers but also if you wish to stay overnight.

So, should you get one?

If you travel to Koyasan by train, then yes, you should definitely get a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket! Why?

• Well, first of all, you stay flexible in terms of what train to catch there and back.
• Second, you can take the local bus around Koyasan however many times you like.
• And last but not least, you’ll save money with this pass.

If you need proof for this last point, down below we detailed all the individual expenses you will typically pay for in terms of transportation when travelling to and around Koyasan by public transport.

You can get a digital Koyasan World Heritage Ticket e.g. via Klook for ¥3440* (~21€/22$). If you take the Nankai-Koya Line commuter train to and from Osaka (2 x ¥930), the cable car twice to travel between Gokurakubashi and Koyasan Station (2 x ¥390) and the local bus let’s say to get from Koyasan Station to Daimon Gate (¥360) and then once again from Okunoin Cemetery back to Koyasan Station (¥610) at the end of the day, then you already saved money by buying the pass😉.

Where to best buy your pass?

The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket can be purchased as a digital ticket online or on-site in one of the Nankai Stations. Do note that if you buy a digital ticket, the latter cannot be used on the same day, i.e. you’ll need to buy it at least one day in advance.

If you prefer a digital ticket, for foreign tourists, it is probably easiest to buy the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket via Klook*. The website is in English, quite straightforward and you can pay in your home currency. You will be given two vouchers, one for the train journey and one for the local bus.

Note: Be aware though, once you purchased the pass, do not click all the way through to the QR Codes! As soon as you do so, the vouchers are activated and will only be usable for 2 more days!!!

Perfect 1-Day Koyasan Itinerary (from Osaka) – DON’T MISS these Highlights!

Instead of simply listing all the things you can do in Koyasan, we thought it might be more fun to present them to you in what we would consider the perfect Koyasan Itinerary. Let’s have a look!

Marvel at the Daimon Gate

Your day in Koyasan starts near Daimon Gate. The latter is a stunning multi-storied gate that was rebuild in the 18th century and is located right at the entrance of Koyasan town. If you travelled to Koyasan by train and are currently on the bus from Koyasan Station into town, get off at Daimon bus station and take some time to marvel at this 25 metres high piece of art!

• Opening Times: always accessible
• Entrance fee: free of charge

Stroll around the Garan Temple Grounds

From Daimon Gate, it is only a quick 700 metres walk until you reach the Garan Temple grounds. The latter is the founding place of Koyasan. According to a legend, while studying in China, the founder of Koyasan (Kobo Daishi), threw his sankosho, a tool used in Buddhist ceremonies, towards Japan.

When he came back, he found it stuck in a pine tree on Mt. Koya and decided this was the place where he would built what eventually became Garan Temple. Today said pine tree is apparently still standing on the Garan Temple Grounds.

• Opening Times: always accessible
• Entrance fee: free of charge

Kondo Hall and Daito Pagoda are two of the most prominent buildings on the grounds. This is no must, but, in case you are interested, both can be entered for a fee of ¥500 each between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.!

The next two items on this list can be switched depending on when you arrive in Koyasan. If you still have quite some time left before noon, head to Kongobu-ji Temple first. Otherwise it is now time for lunch!

Eat a typical Buddhist vegetarian meal

Koyasan is known for its Buddhist cuisine, also called shojin ryori. The latter is based on the idea of creating a colourful varied meal, solely on the base of seasonal vegetables and other vegetarian ingredients such as tofu.

If you decide to stay at a temple in Koyasan overnight, chances are high you will be served such a meal in your accommodation this evening. However, if you are only here for the day, we highly recommend trying it for lunch.

Personally, we ate at a restaurant called ‘Chuoshokudo Sanbo‘, located in the town centre of Koyasan (Address: 722 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan). Truthfully, the meal was divine! We chose the ‘Mori Tofu Shojin Ankake‘ meal set (¥1500 per person) and ended up really loving each and every dish.

Do note: If you wish to eat here, you might want to get here at 11 a.m., right when the restaurant opens. We arrived at 11:30 a.m. and had to wait for nearly an hour to get in.

Alternative options:

• Eko-in Temple offers a shojin ryori lunch. It can be booked separately, even if you do not stay at Eko-in Temple overnight*. You do need to make a reservation by 3 p.m. the previous day. Find out more on their website. (Address: 497 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan).
• ‘Miyama‘ Restaurant offers a ‘Shojin Ryori Lunch Set’ for ¥2000 per person (Address: 529 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan).

Explore Kongobu-ji Temple

After lunch, head to Kongobu-ji Temple. Constructed in the 16th century, Kongobu-ji eventually became the head temple of Koyasan, which is why it is among the more popular temples to visit in Koyasan today. You can visit the various prayer rooms (one of them has a huge tree disk!) and stroll around the grounds of Kongobu-ji Temple.

• Opening Times: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Entrance fee: ¥1000

🏮 Some more suggestions of things to do in Koyasan

- Stroll around the streets of Koyasan. They are lined with stunning traditional Japanese houses!
- Do some souvenir shopping.
- Visit Koyasan Reihokan Museum, which exhibits valuable Buddhist statues & paintings from the head temple of Koyasan! Entrance fee: ¥1300.

Note: If you wish to visit a number of the paid attractions of Koyasan (e.g. Kondo Hall at Garan Temple, Kongobu-ji Temple, Reihokan Museum, etc.) the ticket offices at Koyasan sell a combination ticket for ¥2500!

Stroll around Okunoin Cemetery

Your last stop of the day is going to be Okunoin Cemetery, which for us personally was definitely the highlight of Koyasan. The massive trees (which are between 200-600 years old!) and centuries old tombs simply create an impressive and serene atmosphere.

• Opening Times: always accessible
• Entrance fee: free of charge

If you wish to leave Koyasan by 5 p.m. then we would recommend getting to Okunoin Cemetery by 3 p.m. as you can easily spend 1-2 hours here. Our suggestion would be to start your exploration of Okunoin Cemetery at Ichinohashi (literally meaning ‘First Bridge’). The latter can be found right across the street from the Koyasan Tourist Association Office, where you’ll also find a public toilet should you need one😉.

From the bridge, follow the path leading you deeper into the forest and cemetery until you eventually reach the main temple of Okunoin. The most popular sites of the temple are Torodo Hall and the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (the founder of Koyasan we told you about at Garan Temple). Do note that while the cemetery grounds are free to enter, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of ¥1000 to visit the latter two.

From the temple grounds there is a more direct way out of Okunoin Cemetery than the one you came in. It is probably going to be more busy though too. When walking down this main path out of Okunoin Temple, keep an eye out as there are a few interesting tombs lining this path (e.g. a tomb with a rocket😆)!

If you are visiting Koyasan as a day trip from Osaka, there is a bus station right in front of the main entrance to Okunoin Cemetery. From here, you can catch the local bus back to Koyasan Station. And then, easily make your way back to Osaka. If you have a little more time (and the budget to do so), then there is one more highlight waiting for you:

Stay overnight in a Temple in Koyasan

Doing a temple stay in Koyasan is usually listed among the top things to do when in Koyasan. Imagine staying in a centuries old temple, sleep in a traditional Japanese tatami room, meditate and enjoy a shojin ryori dinner + breakfast, which are almost always included in your stay! Sounds really good, right? We thought so too!

But then, we were too late when booking our accommodation. As a consequence the temple stays we would have picked were booked out or the rooms that were left simply not in our budget. However, maybe you are more lucky or earlier😉, so we’ll leave our picks down below for you to check out!

• Eko-In Temple. A 1.000-year old temple. You can participate in a few rituals, there are onsen, meals are included and they offer a variety of rooms at different price points! Check out availability at Eko-In Temple*!
• Yochi-in Temple. Located in the town centre of Koyasan. This one has a really stunning temple! Meals are again included and they also offer onsen. Check out availability at Yochi-in Temple*!
• Fudo-in Temple. This one has stunning temple grounds as it is located more on the edge of town. Again, meals are included and there are onsen. Check out availability at Fudo-in Temple*!

All three temple stays offer free parking in case you get to Koyasan by rental car!

Visiting Koyasan from Osaka: Final Thoughts

And this concludes your time in Koyasan! If you are into quieter nature destinations and temples, then we highly recommend including Koyasan into your Japan Itinerary! Maybe even more so than the more popular Osaka day trips such as Nara and the Universal Studios.

Since you are visiting Koyasan from Osaka, we’ll assume that you are also going to spend some time in Osaka as well. In case you need a little more inspiration on how to spend 1-2 amazing days in Osaka, we wrote a separate guide where we share our perfect Osaka Itinerary!

And finally, as always, safe and happy travels!🍀