Koyasan is the common name of a huge temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture to the south of Osaka and The mountain of Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture was traditionally considered sacred and it is a major pilgrimage site for followers of the Shingon school of Buddhism.Mt.Koya is a UNESCO World Heritage site as one of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
First settled in 819 by the monk Kukai, Mt.Koya is primarily known as the world headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Koyasan is on the beautiful forested Kii Peninsula, more than 800 meters above sea level, making it a refreshing retreat from the heat of summer.Koyasan features long avenues of tall Japanese cedar trees, and hundreds of temples and temple gardens.
Koyasan is easily accessible, being only about 50km south of Osaka. The Nankai Koya Line is a private railroad operated by Nankai Electric Railroad that links Osaka and Wakayama Prefectures.The line runs between Nankai Namba Station in Osaka and Gokurakubashi Station in the town of Koya, Wakayama Prefecture. so the Line is the primary means of accessing the Koyasan.
Koyasan is an approximately 90 minute train journey from Osaka Namba Station by Nankai Koya Line to Gokurakubashi Station and then cable car to Koyasan. If use Limited Express trains take about 45 minutes from Namba to Hashimoto and then change to a local train to Gokurakubashi Station.
The “Kohechi” route links Koyasan to the Kumano Sanzan. It runs north to south and is 70 km long.It is the shortest route connecting Koyasan to Kumano but is a tough walk that traverses three passes of over 1,000 meters elevation gain.This challenging pilgrimage trail is the Kohechi Trail, part of the Kumano Kodo trail network, which connects Koyasan to the sacred shrines of Kumano.Be aware that it is a long and remote mountainous route that takes nearly a week to hike and requires proper planning and equipment to undertake.
In this trail, there are 1000m-class mountains over Mizugamine, Mt.Obako, Miura Pass, and Hatenashi Pass,which is the shortest route to Shrines of Kumano, but it is a fairly steep mountain road.Especially, the highest point of the Kohechi trail is Mt.Obako and the altitude is 1344 meters.I went there and back from Koyasan to Mt.Obako and I had Amazing View from the top of mountain.
A particular point to note on this trail is where to get extra water.There is a vending machine in the middle of the route, it’s Oomata.And this area is likely to encounter bears so you need a bear bell.
If you are interested in this route, I will provide more information.
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