When Nobuhiro noticed that a lot of travellers were only able to scratch the surface of what Mount Koya had to offer because of the language barrier, he decided he wanted to do something to help! As a former temple steward equipped with English skills from a study-abroad in Manchester, Nobuhiro set up ‘Awesome Tours’ to bridge the gap between foreign visitors and Mount Koya’s Esoteric Buddhism. We chat to Nobuhiro about what Awesome Tours has to offer, as well as his personal recommendations when exploring Mount Koya and beyond.
Hi Nobuhiro! Thank you for joining us today. To kick things off, please tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Nobuhiro Tamura and I run a tour company called ‘Awesome Tours’ that specialises in tours around Mount Koya in Wakayama prefecture. After being accepted into the temple at Mount Koya as an employee, I worked for many years there as the head steward of the temple lodgings. When I was 19, I studied abroad in Manchester. The English I learnt during that time I now use to plan tours for visitors coming to Mount Koya from abroad. Currently, these tours focus on providing tea ceremony and meditation experiences.
How did you come to be a tour guide and what’s the story behind ‘Awesome Tours’?
Mount Koya is a place where the thoughts and teachings of Esoteric Buddhisim and its founder, Kukai, are learnt, however it’s not something foreigners can easily access because of the language barrier, which makes it difficult to communicate with the locals. As a result, a lot of travellers would only come to Mount Koya to take pictures. I felt very sad about the situation and wondered if I could help in the form of providing casual tours. That was the start of ‘Awesome Tours’!
The misty mountains of Koya
What is your favourite thing about working as a tour guide?
To meet people from all over the world. I also like listening to the explanations about the Buddhist statues and torii gates found on Mount Koya because I believe a trip to Japan is enjoyed most through gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
What tours do you offer?
We offer all sorts, from tours around the classic Mount Koya’s sights to those that cover lesser-known but equally interesting spots. We also offer unique and special tours, such as that which include meditation and tea ceremony experiences typical of Mount Koya, or having lunch at a scenic spot in the mountain’s great outdoors.
A traditional tea ceremony experience
What would you recommend to people looking for a Buddhist experience on Mount Koya?
Meditation experience, ‘Goma’ Prayer experience (a fire ceremony where wooden sticks are burned in a consecrated flame), trying out ‘shojin ryori’ a.k.a Buddhist cuisine and walking the ancient forest roads of Mount Koya are a couple of examples. Mount Koya is also a place to offer prayers to the deceased and give thanks to ancestors.
What advice would you give to travellers who are interested in walking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route?
Since ancient times, Mount Koya, Kumano and Yoshino have been the centres of Japanese mountain worship. Since there are quite a few steep mountains on the Kumano Kaido Pilgrimage, it is recommended that first-timers take a guide.
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route © Ippei Naoi
Are there any other outdoor activities that visitors should try out around Mount Koya?
On our Ancient Forest Trail Tour, after being shown around Okunoin - the site of the mausoleum of Kukai - visitors can take a short walk on the beautiful ancient pilgrimage route before having lunch at a scenic spot.
What places and experiences would you recommend to first-time visitors in Wakayama prefecture?
Wakayama has a lot of delicious local foods and places to go. There are ancient sacred places like Mount Koya and Kumano, but also beach resorts like Shirahama. Whether you are travelling solo or as a family, Wakayama has many places to enjoy!
Do you have any future plans that you would like to share to our readers?
Because Mount Koya is becoming more well-known and popular, it can be hard to make a tour reservation. We therefore recommend that you make your reservations early!
The view of the Kii mountain range as seen from an observatory
Thank you for talking with us!
Looking for tours and experiences in and around Mount Koya? See what Awesome Tours has to offer, here! And for inspiration, be sure to check out their Instagram and YouTube channel.
