Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide | 4 hours

12 Reviews | Wakayama Prefecture
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 10 travelers in total.
Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10
2
Child (6-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Infant (0-5) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
2 Adults x $194.73
$389.46
Approx Total
$389.46

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: Japanese, English
  • Meet up with guide on foot at Koyasan Station
  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Private transportation
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Overview

Our government-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day tour of UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Mt. Koya. Go on a full-day guided walking tour of Mt. Koya and learn about the modern and traditional aspects of one of the world’s most sacred mountains! If you would like to take some time out to enjoy some sights outside the big city, then this tour of Mount Koya is for you! Meet your guide at Koyasan station, your private guide will customize your full-day tour in detail according to your interests. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Meeting points

Kōyasan Station
Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan

Open in Google Maps

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • Koyasan Okunoin

    Important Notice : The access to the Okunoin Torodo (Lantern Hall) will be suspended due to the restoration work from November 18th 2024 to End of August 2025. The heart of Mt. Koya. Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan, rests here. Also, many prominent personalities' graves line by the approach to Okunoin for several hundred meters through the forest. Your guide will explain interesting stories about those historical characters.

    1 hour

  • Kongobu-ji Temple

    The main headquarters for the Shingon Sect, which has 4,000 temples throughout Japan and more than 10 million followers worldwide. Visitors can see religious artifact, fusuma sliding door paintings, as well as a beautiful rock garden representing two dragons flying amongst the clouds.

    1 hour

  • Koyasan Danjo Garan

    One of the two most sacred sites in Mt. Koya. In the 9th century, Mt. Koya was founded on this very ground. At that time, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony and then dedicated his life to the construction of Danjo Garan. This sacred area consists of nearly twenty different structures including the magnificent Konpon Daito. Your guide will tell you the meaning of these structures.

    30 minutes

  • Koyasan Reihokan Museum

    The Reihokan Museum (霊宝館, Reihōkan) was built to house and preserve the religious and cultural treasures of Koyasan. The museum's entrance hall is styled after Byodoin Temple in Uji, and it has three exhibition halls for both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum's collection consists of thousands of religious works of art. The permanent exhibition displays statues, mandala (paintings representing metaphysical maps of the cosmos), and various other religious tools and paintings, the most notable of which is the scroll depicting the "Reclining Image of Sakyamuni Buddha on His Last Day". Additionally, a rotating temporary exhibition displays a seasonal selection chosen from the museum's collection.

    30 minutes

  • Koyasan Daishi Kyokai

    Daishi Kyokai (大師教会, Daishi Kyōkai) is the administrative center of Shingon Buddhism, and is responsible for spreading the teachings of Kobo Daishi, the sect's founder. The complex consists of two buildings: Henjoden, a traditional temple hall, that was built in 1915 and is dedicated to Kobo Daishi, and a modern building for administration, lectures and training. An English information desk is available in this building. Visitors can participate in a few activities at Daishi Kyokai, such as receiving Buddhist precepts (jukai) or copying Buddhist scriptures (shakyo). No advance reservations are required.

    30 minutes

  • Tokugawa's Mausoleum

    The Tokugawa Mausoleum (徳川家霊台, Tokugawa-ke Reidai) on Koyasan was built in 1643 by the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu in order for his family to have a mausoleum close to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. It consists of two buildings which enshrine Iemitsu's grandfather Ieyasu and father Hidetada, the first two Tokugawa shogun. The mausoleum's two identical buildings took twenty years to be completed and were built in the extravagant style of the early Edo Period with graceful sloping roofs, rich ornamentation, intricate carvings, lacquer and gold leaf. The two buildings stand side by side. The one on the right enshrines Ieyasu and the one on the left Hidetada.

    30 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.5

12 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    9
  • 4 stars
    2
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    1

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 9 reviews with 5 stars

Extraordinary Koyasan

Published on May, 2025

What a meaningful and beautiful day time we spent in Koyasan. Miyuki took care of us even before the trip started, giving us helpful information about the weather, travel and what type of tickets to get, and she carefully guided us till the very end. As soon as we met on the train going up, she started to explain about the historical significance of Koyasan and its surroundings. Her thoughtful and well-curated trip was peaceful, meaningful and gave us the wish to come back and spend more time here.

Wonderful time with a local.

Published on Mar, 2025

Our guide, Hira, was a super nice man. We got to see so many beautiful places that we would otherwise have missed on our own. He got to the meeting location early and waited patiently for our arrival. He also arranged to make sure my husband was able to have a gluten-free lunch. He never rushed us along and waited for us to enjoy the site and to take many pictures. Although we had some communication barriers but we managed to understand each other. We loved Koyasan and had a wonderful time. We also really enjoyed meeting a local from the Wakayama prefecture.

Lovely visit to Koyasan

Published on Feb, 2025

We really enjoyed our time with Yuki. She answered all of our questions in English and was a lovely companion for the day.

Koyasan tour

Published on Feb, 2025

Me and my mates learnt a lot about the history and culture of Koyasan. We saw the Okunoin, Kongobuji and Danjo Garan Complex with our tour guide. Mr Naka san did a superb job with the guide and was very organised

Unforgettable tour of Koyasan with Hira San

Published on Jan, 2025

It's taken me some time to submit this review, but I would be remiss if I did not return to TripAdvisor to write it. My daughter attends a boarding school in Japan. She, my sister and I visited Koyasan and stayed at the beautiful Fudoin monastery in October 2024. Our soft-spoken tour guide, Hira San, was just about the sweetest human being on the planet. He made our time at Koyasan absolutely unforgettable. The sights were stunning, and the beauty of the temples ethereal. But most importantly, Hira San's overwhelmingly thoughtful, kind, patient and caring demeanor embodied the spiritual nature of the surroundings. Even before we arrived, he communicated with us by email to ensure he clearly and thoroughly understood our needs. He then meticulously planned every moment of our trip to ensure we experienced this UNESCO World Heritage treasure in the best possible manner. Every detail of our time with him stands out, and not just because of the brilliant tour itself. He went above and beyond every step of the way, treating us like his own family; from providing his own umbrella to keep us dry while he got drenched in the rain, to running down a mountainside with my daughter to find her a restroom in a remote area, to scouting the perfect lunch restaurant with vegan options for me, to coming inside the train station at the end of the tour and waiting there to ensure we were taken care of until the moment we left. He even insisted on giving me his beautiful hand-held fan, which I had complimented earlier, as a memento. I have no words to describe how grateful and happy we were to have had the good fortune to meet such a warm, generous, inspiring human being. Hira San, if you're reading this, it was our great honor to spend time with and learn from you. And we all look forward to returning to Koyasan again someday to hopefully see more of it with you. Arigato Gozaimashta.

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Go ...
92136P113
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
12
Koyasan Full-Day Private Tour
85884P5
time

6 hours

time Free Cancellation
20
Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (O ...
Likely To Sell Out
92136P50
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
17
Mt Koya Full Day Tour from Osaka with Li ...
92136P285
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
7
Mt. Koya Sacred 6hr Private Tour with Go ...
92136P337
time

6 hours

time Free Cancellation
6
Day Trip to Sacred Sites at Koyasan from ...
Likely To Sell Out
452423P31
time

11 hours to 13 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Private Tour at the Sacred Sites in Koya ...
New On TravelOne
452423P73
time

5 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Experience in Wakayama - Koyasan and Shi ...
139289P17
time

12 hours

time Non Refundable
0
Mount Koya, Wakayama and Nachi Waterfall ...
New On TravelOne
457137P17
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Mt. Koya 8hr Tour from Osaka: English sp ...
92136P306
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Day Trip Sacred Sites at Koyasan from Os ...
Likely To Sell Out
452423P46
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Private Day Trip to Mystic Koyasan for P ...
New On TravelOne
444317P3
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Private Customizable Tour in Wakayama
New On TravelOne
445232P18
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour
5584DINNER
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
4,309
From Marrakech: Desert & Atlas Mountains ...
36697P5
time

7 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
3,384
Bites of Nassau Food and Walking Tour
5887SGBITES
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,932
Bruny Island Food, Sightseeing, Guided L ...
6043BIS
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,616
Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran fro ...
6013FAJ
time

6 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,296
Montenegro Full-Day Trip from Dubrovnik ...
5562MONTENEGRO
time

11 hours to 12 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,161
Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel and Sail a ...
7452P2
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,853
Litchfield National Park and Jumping Cro ...
138034P1
time

11 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,833
Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tou ...
Likely To Sell Out
6760FOOD
time

3 hours

time Non Refundable
1,750
ATV Single Rider Adventure at Hacienda C ...
64529P1
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,665
Capri & Blue Grotto Small Group Boat Day ...
51921P48
time

7 hours to 8 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,554
Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Ca ...
28754P1
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,500
Connect with TravelOne
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Plan your Next Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover

TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.

Do you have a destination in mind, or would you like TravelOne AI to suggest one?

What is your destination?

Are you visiting Japan for the first time?

Travel Date

What is your general interest for this trip?

City Breakup


Travelers Details


Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2

Accommodation Preferences

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Dining Preferences

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Transportation

What are your preferences for arrival/departure transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Guide Support

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Dining recommendations/reservations?

Flights Preferences

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What are your preferences for internal flight?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

    Culinary Classes and Workshops
    Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Olive Oil Tasting Wine Making Workshops
    Food & Beverage Tours
    Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours
    Food Tastings and Sampling
    Cocktail Tastings Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings High Tea
    Dining Experiences and Meals
    Brunch Dinner Lunch Breakfast Restaurants Dinner and Show Tickets
    Food-Related Cruises
    Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises
    Thematic Food Events & Experiences
    Donut Walking Tour Markets
    Specialized Food Events
    Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets
    Wildlife Observation & Encounters
    Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Whale Watching Shark Diving Wildlife Watching Wildlife Encounters Swim with Dolphins Zoos & Wildlife Parks Aquariums Safaris
    Hiking & Exploration
    Hiking Tours Glacier Walks Nature Walks National Parks Nature Parks Parks Natural Attractions Outback Tours
    Camping & Outdoor Stays
    Camping Honeymoon Packages
    Adventure & Sports in Nature
    Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Horseback Riding Sandboarding
    Boating & Cruises
    Sailing Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises
    Paddle & Active Water Sports
    Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding Jet Ski Rentals
    Underwater Exploration
    Scuba Diving Snorkeling Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins
    Fishing & Marine Experiences
    Fishing Charters Eco Tours
    Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences
    Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights
    Historical Landmarks & Sites
    Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites
    Museum & Cultural Institutions
    Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Attractions & Museums Planetariums
    Classic & General History Tours
    Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours
    Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours
    Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours
    Mystery & Dark History Tours
    Ghost Tours Crime Tours Underground Tours
    Industrial & Commercial History
    Factory Tours Plantation Tours
    Observation & Structural History
    Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers Classic Car Tours
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Religious Sites Religious Tours
    Spiritual & Cultural Rituals
    Sufi Whirling Shows Easter Lunar New Year
    Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices
    Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens
    Healing & Wellness Experiences
    Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Spas Yoga Classes
    Immersive Spiritual Experiences
    Light & Sound Shows
    Nature & Wildlife Conservation
    Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching
    Protected Natural Areas
    National Parks Nature Parks Involves Poverty Stricken Communities Involves Animals
    Sustainable & Responsible Travel
    Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours
    Land-Based Exploration
    Hiking Tours Nature Walks Walking Tours Self-guided Tours
    Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport
    Cycling Cycling Classes Bike Rentals Bike Tours E-Bike Tours
    Nightlife & Entertainment
    Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours
    Live Music & Performances
    Concerts Jazz Shows Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows Live Concerts Music Tours
    Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations
    Festivals Mardi Gras Carnival Christmas Halloween Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events
    Dance & Cultural Party Experiences
    Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows
    Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment
    Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows
    Unique & Themed Experiences
    LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks
    Performing Arts & Live Shows
    Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances
    Cultural & Heritage Experiences
    Cultural Tours Culture Costume Dress Up Experiences Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival
    Art & Creative Workshops
    Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Pottery Classes Photography Tours
    Dance & Music Participation
    Dance Lessons Dance Shows
    Language & Cultural Learning
    Language Classes Spanish Lessons
    Historical & Traditional Skills
    Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes
    City Exploration
    Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours
    High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures
    Air Tours Hang Gliding Helicopter Tours Heli-Hiking Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining
    Land-Based Extreme Driving
    4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Hummer Tours Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Motor Sports Go Kart Road Trip Vespa Rentals
    Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides
    Airboat Tours Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks Flyboarding
    Climbing & Vertical Challenges
    Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Caving Sea Caving
    Snow & Ice Adventures
    Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing
    Water & Surf Sports
    Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting
    Sand & Desert Adventures
    Camel Rides Sandboarding
    Unique & Unconventional Challenges
    Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing Scavenger Hunts Fun & Games
    Spectator Sports & Events
    Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes
    Ball Sports
    Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis
    Winter Sports
    Skiing Skiing Classes
    Combat & Tactical Sports
    Martial Arts Classes Paintball
    Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports
    Obstacle Courses
    Sports Training & Lessons
    Sports Lessons Cycling Cycling Classes
    Exclusive & VIP Experiences
    Private and Luxury Viator VIP Tours Once in a Lifetime Experiences Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator Exclusive Tours
    Private & Personalized Travel
    Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours
    Romantic & Scenic Experiences
    Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots
    Weddings & Special Celebrations
    Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations Photo Shoots
    Classic & Scenic Cruises
    Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours
    Themed & Specialized Cruises
    Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours
    Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys
    Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion
    Private & Adventure Boating
    Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing
    Unique & Alternative Water Travel
    Duck Boat Tours Pack Animal Tours Ferry Services Water Transfers Water Parks Water Equipment Rentals
    Travel by Season
    Autumn / Fall Spring Summer Winter Spring Break Winter Sports

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!