Should You Visit Koyasan?

Is Koyasan worth visiting?

Koyasan is worth visiting for one to two days so that you can explore everything that the town has to offer. 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.

Temple at Mount Koya, Japan

Reasons to Visit Koyasan

Museums
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).

Historical Sights
The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Food
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.

Hiking
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.

Is Koyasan worth visiting in the Summer?

The weather in Koyasan is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 27°C (81°F). But it can get as warm as 31°C (88°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

The peak season for travel is summer in Koyasan, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

Don't miss the small town charm during summer. Just take some time to wander through the local shops and see the historic landmarks around town when the weather is nice. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to soak up the small town charm, get out into nature, and wander through the museums. Also, you'll be able to admire the historic sights.

Is Koyasan worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Koyasan. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 19°C (65°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums. Also, you can experience the hiking and the small town charm.

Is Koyasan worth visiting in the Winter?

This is the low season for travel in Koyasan. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.

The weather in Koyasan can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 6°C (42°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town.

Is Koyasan worth visiting in the Spring?

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during spring, and temperatures hover around 15°C (59°F).

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Koyasan, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.

Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, admire the wonderful scenery, and explore the small town. Also, you can check out the historic old town.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Koyasan

Nightlife
Most people don't associate Koyasan with a lively nightlife scene. This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Koyasan might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Koyasan here or see if Koyasan is expensive here.

Related

What is Koyasan most famous for?

Koyasan is most famous for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. The town is very popular for its museums and historical sights. It's also known for food and hiking. It is often described as spiritual, traditional, peaceful, and serene.

What is the most famous sight in Koyasan?

The most popular sight in Koyasan is Kongobu-ji Head Temple. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Koyasan on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Kongobu-ji Head Temple and other attractions here.

How touristy is Koyasan? Is it a popular town to visit?

Koyasan is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

How long should I spend in Koyasan?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Koyasan is one to two days. Since Koyasan has activities such as museums and historical sights, many visit for up to two days.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koyasan? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koyasan?.