Dai-monGate

H istory of Koyasan
In the year 804, Kobo Daishi (Kukai) traversed the seas toChina’s Tang Dynasty in order to study Buddhism. After
studying there for 2 years he returned to Japan topropagate his newfound Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Inorder to secure a place where monks could train, he found
what is now known as Koyasan sitting atop a 900
meter-high plateau. With land granted to him from
Emperor Saga, he established what is now known as
Koyasan’s Kongobu-ji head temple in 816. Koyasan
became the central hub for its teachings of Shingon
Buddhism and now remains as one of Japan’s most sacred
historical sites. In 2004 UNESCO designated Koyasan aWorld Heritage Site: “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes
in the Kii Mountain Range”. There are currently 117
temples dedicated to the teachings of Shingon Buddhism.

Serving as Koyasan’s main entrance, theGreat Gate is a spectacle of design standing nearly 25m tall. It was rebuilt in 1705
after being destroyed in a fire and waslater given an overhaul for the 1150th
anniversary of Kobo Daishi’s passing. Twomenacing guardian deities carved during
the Edo period flank the entry way. TheDaimon Gate is the first structure visitors
coming up the Choishi-michi pilgrimage
route see when arriving in Koyasan, and theviews and stunning sunsets that surroundthe mountain are spectacular year-round.

Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex
One of two sacred areas in Koyasan, the Danjo
Garan Sacred Temple Complex was founded by
Kobo Daishi (Kukai) when he returned to Japan
from China as a place where Buddhist monks
could peacefully study his newly found Shingon
Esoteric sect of Buddhism. Most of the buildingsin the complex are reconstructions due to the lossof originals in fires. The construction of the Danjo
Garan was a feat only accomplished through thesacrifice and perseverance of many generations.

Konpon Daito Great Pagoda

Mie-do Hall
Originally used by Kobo Daishi as a training hall,
the Mie-do now exists as a building thatenshrines an image of Kukai. The present structure was reconstructed in 1847 and is the onlybuilding in the Danjo Garan Complex whichcontains a state-of-the-art fire safety mechanism. The Mie-do holds a very special place inthe hearts of those who believe in Kukai.
Sai-to Pagoda(West Tower)

Kon-do HallThe Kon-do Hall was the first structure in the Danjo
Garan to be constructed and was the main hall used
for lectures and ceremonies. Kobo Daishi began
construction on the Kon-do in 819 but passed awayin 835 before it could be completed. The Kon-do has
been destroyed by fires seven times in its history,
with the current structure being completed in 1932.

Konpon Daito Great Pagoda(Fundamental Pagoda)
Mie-do Hall

Daie-do Hall Sanmai-doHall
Aizen-doHallKnown as the Great Stupa, the Konpon Daito is abrilliant structure painted in a vibrant vermillion
lacquer that towers nearly 48m tall. The construction of the Konpon Daito proved to be a great undertaking as it took over two
generations to complete withthe present structure being
rebuilt in 1937. The statues
housed in the Daito accompanied by the surrounding
pillars create a magnificent
3-dimensional mandalawith the Cosmic Buddha inthe center.

To-to Pagoda(East Tower)

Kujaku-do Hall
Juntei-do Hall

Fudo-do Hall
Sanko no Matsu
Shoro

Kon-do HallSanno-in Shrine
Miyashiro Shrine
Rokkaku kyozo

Daito no Kane Bell
Hasuike(Lotus Pond)
Chu-mon Gate

Kongobu-ji Head Temple

Okuno-inKoyasan’s head temple, Kongobu-ji also refers
to the entirety of the Koyasan area. Originallybuilt in honor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s mother,what used to be called Seiganji Temple waseventually renamed Kongobu-ji in 1869. It is themain temple for around 4000 branch temples of
the Shingon esoteric sect of Buddhism.
Kongobu-ji Head Temple beautifully combinesform and function into its design and features
Japan’s largest rock garden; The Banryutei.

Koyasan’s most sacred site, Okuno-in cemetery, isthe largest cemetery in Japan stretching 2km longwith over 200,000 tombstones. Lined with ancientcedar trees, some hundreds of years old, Okuno-in is
the location of Kobo Daishi Kukai’s Mausoleum,
where it is said he still remains today in eternal prayer.
Large Jizo guardian deities line up at the foot of theGobyonohashi Bridge where visitors pour water overthem to pay respects for their ancestors. From members of imperial families to commoners, samurai toscholars, Okuno-in is a place where status knows nobounds and is truly the embodiment of the idea thatonce we pass on to the next life, we are all equal.

Nyonin-do Hall
Nyonin-do Hall, also known as the Women’s Hall, is thelast of 7 halls that used to exist on the perimeter ofKoyasan. Since Koyasan was originally a place for
Buddhist monks to peacefully train, women wereprohibited from entering the temple grounds. Women
would walk along the trail surrounding Koyasan to eachof these halls in order to pray for their loved ones aswell as facilitate their own training. This trail, now
known as the Nyonin-michi or Women’s pilgrimage
route, is popular among tourists as a hiking trail withbeautiful views overlooking the surrounding mountains.

Reihokan
MuseumEstablished in 1921, the Reihokan Museum
houses some of Japan’s most important cultural
assets and national treasures ranging fromstatues, mandalas, paintings and relics. Tens ofthousands of items are currently being preservedon the museum grounds offering a unique glance
into the world of Buddhist culture.

Ajikan Meditation
Ajikan is a kind of meditation unique to
Shingon Buddhism and is offered by many
temples to their guests. Even beginners andpeople with no meditation background cantake the challenge to calm their minds andopen the gateways to higher consciousness.

Shoujingu Morning Ceremony
Every day at 6:00am and 10:30am, Buddhist monks
carry food up to the Toro-do Hall as part of a ritualistic offering to Kobo Daishi (Kukai). With its
thousand-year history, this ceremony can be viewed
every day, rain or snow, without fail.

Gobyonohashi Bridge
Sutra Copying

Edo Period Nyonin-do Hall Guidebook Illustration

Toro-do Hall

TokugawaMausoleum
Built in 1643 by the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu,
the Tokugawa Mausoleum enshrines the founder of
the Tokugawa shogunate, Ieyasu and his son
Hidetada. Dedicated as an Important Cultural Property in 1961 this building is an important part ofJapan’s history that took two decades to complete.

Experience
Koyasan

Gobyonohashi Bridge is the third and final bridge before
reaching the sacred area of Kobo Daishi’s Mausoleum. The 36 stone slabs used to build the bridge
represent the Buddhas of the Diamond Realm. Theirnames are engraved on the bottom of the stones inSanskrit and can be seen reflected in the river below.

Gorinto Monument
These granite statues, some small and somemassive, can be found all along the stone path toOkuno-in. A five-tiered stupa, Buddhism teaches
that the Earth is made from five different
elements. Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Space aredepicted on each of the five tiers with carvings oftheir corresponding Sanskrit letters.

Standing in front of Kobo Daishi’s Mausoleum, theToro-do Hall was built as a place of worship. Thousands of lanterns dedicated by worshipers decorate
this hall. Buddhist Monks spend their days tending
to an everlasting flame; evidence that Kobo Daishi
is still alive. Hidden in the hall’s basement are
50,000 statues donated for the 1150th anniversaryof Kukai’s entrance into eternal meditation in 1984.

Using India ink and a traditional Japanesecalligraphy brush, “Shakyo” is the art ofcopying one kanji character at a time
gracefully and with gentle precision. Idle
thoughts fade in this calming experience ofcopying the Heart Sutra.

SpaceWindFire
WaterEarth

Jukai Ceremony
The Jukai ceremony offers everyone aunique opportunity to be with a Buddhist
master and experience firsthand a formal andancient Buddhist rite. Anyone can participate in this simple yet enchanting ceremony
which has a history of 2,500 years.