Garan

Garan, the heart of Koyasan, is a sacred temple complex founded by Kobo Daishi, the originator of Shingon Buddhism. Legend says that while searching for a site to establish his teachings, he discovered his sankosho (a three-pronged Buddhist tool) lodged in a pine tree, where it had landed after he threw it from China. Inspired, he began constructing the Garan, which has since grown into a breathtaking spiritual hub. Among its highlights are the Kondo Hall, a grand wooden structure where major Buddhist ceremonies take place, and the towering Konpon Daito Pagoda, a striking vermilion pagoda that embodies the essence of Shingon Buddhism. The pine tree that caught Kobo Daishi’s sankosho still stands today, symbolizing the temple’s deep-rooted history.

The Konpon Daito Pagoda, standing at an impressive 45 meters, houses a unique three-dimensional mandala—a rare artistic representation of the cosmic universe. Inside, a majestic statue of Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha, is surrounded by vibrant pillar paintings. Though Kobo Daishi initiated the construction of the Kondo Hall and Daito Pagoda, his followers completed them and expanded the complex with additional halls and shrines, such as the Toto and Saito pagodas, Miedo Founder’s Hall, and the Koya Myojin Shrine, dedicated to the local deities of Mount Koya. Today, Garan remains a must-visit for travelers seeking spiritual insight and stunning historical architecture.