Koyasan Pilgrimage Trails

3 of 8 in attractions in Koyasan

Koyasan Pilgrimage Trails have long connected this sacred mountain to the outside world, offering a traditional route for spiritual seekers. The Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail, the original pilgrimage path, begins at Kudoyama Station and is lined with numbered stone markers symbolizing the five Buddhist elements. This 23.5-kilometer journey takes about seven hours, guiding hikers through lush forests and ending at the majestic Daimon Gate, the historical entrance to Koyasan. For a shorter hike, travelers can start from Kami-Kosawa or Kii-Hosokawa Stations, reducing the trek by several hours.

For a quicker ascent, the Fudozaka Trail from Gokurakubashi Station spans 2.5 kilometers, leading to the Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo, a historic temple hall once catering to women banned from Koyasan before 1872. Adventurous hikers may opt for the Kohechi Trail, a challenging week-long route connecting Koyasan to the sacred Kumano Kodo shrines. Whether on a spiritual journey or a hiking adventure, Koyasan’s trails provide an immersive experience into Japan’s religious and cultural heritage.

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Koyasan Choishi Michi trail

Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail is the main historic route to Koyasan, starting at Kudoyama Station on the Nankai Koya Line. The 23.5-kilometer trail is marked by stone signposts, called choishi, which guide hikers. The markers are numbered and represent the five Buddhist elements: earth, water, fire, air, and void.

The hike takes about seven hours to complete, but you can shorten it by starting from Kami-Kosawa or Kii-Hosokawa Stations. The trail ends at the Daimon Gate, a tall red gate marking Koyasan’s entrance. The path continues to the Garan temple complex.
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Fudozaka Trail

Fudozaka Trail is a short and steep route to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The 2.5-kilometer trail takes about an hour to climb and less time to descend. It ends at the Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo, a historic temple hall once used for female visitors banned from the town before 1872.

A nearby trail called the Women Pilgrims Course takes you around Koyasan’s perimeter, passing the ruins of other Nyonindo halls and leading to the entrance of Okunoin. This 7-kilometer trail takes about 2.5 hours to complete.
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