2 Days Shukubo Experience in Mt Koya
The Shingon Buddhism in Japan is centered in Mount Koya (Koya-san) since more than 1200 years ago. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Koya-san can be reached from Kyoto for 2,5 hour journey or Osaka for 1.5 hour journey by train. You will need to make a couple of train transfers, but do not worry, an expert guide will be traveling along with you.
Koya-san is one of the best place to experience an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple lodging (shukubo), where you can get a taste of monastery lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk’s cuisine (shojin ryori) and attending morning prayers.
Minimum: 2 pax
Day 1 Osaka/ Kyoto to Koya-san
Our guide will meet you at your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka. Taking the normal train &/or Express train, we will travel to Koya-san. Today you will visit Kongobunji Temple, the head monastery of the Shingon sect and home to Banryutei, Japan’s largest rock garden. Next door is the Garan Temple Complex, but should you wish to save energy so you can enjoy the next destination at lower pace, your guide will take you to Garan the next day.
Next, you will head to Okunoin, the largest cemetery in Japan, as well is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (the founder of Shingon Buddhism). You will walk approximately 2 km past 200.000 tombstones while approaching the mausoleum. A unique experience that can only be done at Okunoin.
Tonight, you will be staying at a Shukubo and enjoying the famous Shojin Ryori at 6pm.
Day 2 Koya-san to Osaka/ Kyoto
The monks start their life early in the morning with morning prayers chant, followed by a Shojin Ryori breakfast. – a very healthy lifestyle. You will be able to watch or join the morning prayers.
Check out the Garan Temple Complex if you skipped this place yesterday, to see the most prominent buildings of the Garan. The Kondo Hall and the huge Konpon Daito Pagoda. If time allows, the Tokugawa Mausoleum on Koya-san is also worth to visit.
Your guide will then take you back to Koya Station and travel with you back to your hotel in Kyoto/ Osaka.
Price Per Person in SGD
Min 2 persons
Tour Code: JPN-WAMKSE-02
| Accommodation for 1 N | From Osaka | From Kyoto |
| Eko-in Shukubo, Japanese Room Without Toilet (Standard) | 1098 | 1108 |
| Souji-in Shukubo, Standard Japanese Room Without Toilet (Upgrade) | 1498 | 1518 |
Note: Accommodation and guide are subject to availability
Cost includes :
- Accommodation per above itinerary based on twin share rooms with daily breakfast and dinner
- Guide service from your hotel door (in Kyoto and Osaka) and back (5 hours per day)
- Combination of normal train tickets and express train tickets : Kyoto/Osaka – Koya san – Kyoto/Osaka
- Local transportation and entrance fees as specified
- Meals as specified
Cost excludes:
- Local transport and entrance fees that are not specified in above itinerary
- Travel insurance and personal expenses (minibar, phone call, laundry, etc)
- Meals other than specified
- Drinks or personal expenses
*Highly recommendable to wear comfortable shoes.