Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koyasan?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koyasan?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Koyasan, Japan? Most people spend one to two days in Koyasan during their visit. After all, the serene town will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, wander through the small town, and discover the nearby hiking trails.

Mount Kōya, or Koyasan is a traditional and historic temple complex that has long been the site of spiritual pilgrimages. It's mountain setting and many impressive temples have made it a popular tourist destination. Many visitors prefer to do a temple stay during their visit.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Koyasan? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is 3 days enough time in Koyasan?

With three days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Koyasan has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Koyasan as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, wander through the small town, and discover the nearby hiking trails at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

How to spend 3 days in Koyasan

Don't miss Kongobu-ji Head Temple during your trip to Koyasan, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Koyasan is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Koyasan a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Koyasan is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Public transit in Koyasan is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Is 4 days enough time in Koyasan?

Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Koyasan, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, wander through the small town, and discover the nearby hiking trails on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Koyasan as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

Temple at Mount Koya, Japan

How to spend 4 days in Koyasan

Having 4 days in Koyasan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

The small-town atmosphere of Koyasan is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a small mountain town that is reached by cable car and then bus. The temples and traditional atmosphere are a truly unique experience.

Is 5 days enough time in Koyasan?

Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Koyasan has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the small town charm, and the hiking at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend 5 days in Koyasan

With 5 days in Koyasan, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Koyasan sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Koyasan, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.