Kongobuji Temple 金剛峯寺

A designated National Treasure built in the Edo period, Kongobuji Temple at Koyasan is more than just another place of spiritual worship. The larger purpose of the temple is to serve as the headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect, founded by the monk Kobo Daishi, whose mausoleum can be found at nearby Okunoin Temple .

The Nankai Rinkan Bus from Koyasan Station will take you to the temple. Get off at Kongobuji-mae.

Koyasan Station can be reached from Gokurakubashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line via the cable car.

Koyasan dates back to 816 and Kongobuji Temple was built in 1593, then rebuilt in 1863. While it is architecturally satisfying from the outside, take off your shoes and step through the doors and you'll be rewarded by Kongobuji Temple's beautiful interior.

Walk through the corridor and pass through rooms decorated with graceful cranes, elaborately carved flowers, and sweeping plum and willow. Visitors can also enter the large kitchen with its huge hearth and stoves and glimpse the immaculately preserved Banryutei Rock Garden.

A small fee is required to enter the temple. It is possible to buy a combination ticket that allows access to Koyasan's major attractions. The Koyasan Tourist Information Center offers English audio guide rentals.