The Okunoin Area 奥の院エリア

Located on the northeast side of Koyasan , Okunoin Temple is a sanctuary housing the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai). Kobo Daishi was a famous monk, scholar, engineer and the founder of Shingon Buddhism who lived from 774–835 A.D. Legend says he is still resting within the mausoleum in a state of eternal meditation.

From Koyasan Station take the bus that drops you off at the Okunoin-mae bus stop. It is about a kilometer from the stop.

For those wishing to walk the full length of the cobbled path up to Okunoin, get off at the Ichi-no-hashi-guchi bus stop.

The temple's expansive grounds are home to Japan's largest cemetery with more than 200,000 graves, including some of the most famous people in Japanese history. All these souls desire to approach Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, and hope to find their way to salvation.

The two-kilometer cobblestone sidewalk leading to Okunoin is lined with old mossy cedars, dotted with the graves of war dead, modern entrepreneurs, royalty, monks, feudal lords, and other famous historical figures, as well as unknown tombstones. Each memorial located here represents the wish of the person, keeping their legacy alive.

Torodo Hall—known as the Hall of Lanterns—is located in front of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and is the center of worship. The shimmering spiritual sanctuary is named after more than 20,000 lanterns (including the adjacent Memorial Lantern Hall), which are permanently lit throughout the temple.

Entry to the mausoleum is forbidden, to avoid disturbing Kobo Daishi, who is believed to be in a continuous state of meditation. Instead, monks, pilgrims, and the general public worship from outside the mausoleum.

Ichi-no-hashi Bridge marks the official entrance to the temple grounds and is the gateway between two worlds, the sacred and the secular worlds. Visitors are expected to bow to show their respect to Kobo Daishi before crossing the bridge and entering the sacred grounds of Okunoin. Further in, you will cross Gobyo-no-hashi Bridge to enter the innermost part of the temple. From this point on, food, drink, and photography are forbidden.

You can explore the area in just a few hours. In the evenings you can enjoy a very quiet and mysterious atmosphere in this sacred area of Japan.