Mont Koya (Koya-san)
Mount Koya is a sacred mountain in the Kii Peninsula, located in Wakayama Prefecture, 100 kilometers south of Osaka. Koya-san is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site, where travelers come for a religious and / or spiritual retreat in one of the resort's 117 temples and through the magnificent Ryujin National Park.
Tourists in Japan share with most of their foreign counterparts an understandable appeal especially for Tokyo and Kyoto. But they add this sometimes astonishing fascination for Mount Koya.
the trip is a small organized and very accessible journey. Koya is nestled directly south of Osaka, the starting point is naturally located. Allow about two hours to take down the train, funicular and bus trio. Once at the top, the distances are relatively small (the ends of interest are separated by a few kilometers at most) and it is possible to do everything on foot.
The heart of the visit is the sublime walk to Okuno-in, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), one of the founders of the nineteenth century Buddhism as we know it in Japan. Do not go wrong, however: if the original, typical, offers a delightful walk between the guardian peaks of a cemetery that extends as far as the eye can see, the back of the incredible mausoleum barely masks a wide a tarmac alley without a soul, where a constant stream of tourist buses is pouring.
The rest of the ride to Mount Koya consists of several beautiful points of interest, among which Garan, Kongobu-ji or Daimon. What a great time on the spot despite the hordes of visitors, particularly Francophones and especially in high season, which sometimes prevent the desired calm.
Shukubo are open to all foreign visitors, without discrimination of sex, nationality or religion.
Despite the spartan image sometimes associated with Japanese monasteries, be sure to find a minimum of comfort in your bedroom: tatami, futon, blanket, lamp, etc.
However, do not be surprised to find no radio, TV or private bathroom. In the manner of the traditional ryokan inns, you will have to share the common bathroom.
No card either for the evening meal: unique menu for everyone, without meat or fish! That said, some temples tolerate the consumption of alcohol and will offer you beer, wine or sake.
Whatever your religious orientation, attending the morning liturgical ritual is a meaningful experience, which is for many the first charm of shukubo.
Each Buddhist sect cultivates its own rituals: between the collective meditation session, the recitation of sacred sutras, or the fire ritual of esoteric Buddhism, the visitor is spoiled for choice.
Participation in the morning ritual, however, is not mandatory. For those interested, however, know that it will be necessary to get up early, around 5am or 6am!
- Japanese Buddhist cuisine: SHOJIN-RYORI
Tourists in Japan share with most of their foreign counterparts an understandable appeal especially for Tokyo and Kyoto. But they add this sometimes astonishing fascination for Mount Koya.
the trip is a small organized and very accessible journey. Koya is nestled directly south of Osaka, the starting point is naturally located. Allow about two hours to take down the train, funicular and bus trio. Once at the top, the distances are relatively small (the ends of interest are separated by a few kilometers at most) and it is possible to do everything on foot.
The heart of the visit is the sublime walk to Okuno-in, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), one of the founders of the nineteenth century Buddhism as we know it in Japan. Do not go wrong, however: if the original, typical, offers a delightful walk between the guardian peaks of a cemetery that extends as far as the eye can see, the back of the incredible mausoleum barely masks a wide a tarmac alley without a soul, where a constant stream of tourist buses is pouring.
The rest of the ride to Mount Koya consists of several beautiful points of interest, among which Garan, Kongobu-ji or Daimon. What a great time on the spot despite the hordes of visitors, particularly Francophones and especially in high season, which sometimes prevent the desired calm.
Shukubo: stays in the temples
A UNIQUE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN, SLEEPING IN A JAPANESE TEMPLE ALLOWS YOU TO ENTER THE MYSTERIOUS ATMOSPHERE OF MONASTIC LIFE.
Shukubo, which literally means "sleeping with the monks", is for many foreign visitors a must for travel to Japan. This experience of accommodation in a Buddhist temple allows to discover the daily life of the Japanese monks, to learn about the vegetarian cuisine shôjin ryôri, and sometimes to attend religious rituals of the morning.
Shukubo are open to all foreign visitors, without discrimination of sex, nationality or religion.
Despite the spartan image sometimes associated with Japanese monasteries, be sure to find a minimum of comfort in your bedroom: tatami, futon, blanket, lamp, etc.
However, do not be surprised to find no radio, TV or private bathroom. In the manner of the traditional ryokan inns, you will have to share the common bathroom.
No card either for the evening meal: unique menu for everyone, without meat or fish! That said, some temples tolerate the consumption of alcohol and will offer you beer, wine or sake.
Whatever your religious orientation, attending the morning liturgical ritual is a meaningful experience, which is for many the first charm of shukubo.
Each Buddhist sect cultivates its own rituals: between the collective meditation session, the recitation of sacred sutras, or the fire ritual of esoteric Buddhism, the visitor is spoiled for choice.
Participation in the morning ritual, however, is not mandatory. For those interested, however, know that it will be necessary to get up early, around 5am or 6am!
Related blogs
- Let's stay at “shukubō” (the monasterial accomodation) on Mt. Kōya- Japanese Buddhist cuisine: SHOJIN-RYORI