Set in the peaceful wooded area of Wakayama Prefecture among magnificent ancient forests and towering sacred mountains, the secluded temple town of Koya San is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations. First founded as a tranquil retreat in 816 by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most revered religious figures, the town is now inhabited by roughly 3000 people, features a university dedicated to religious studies as well as over a hundred sacred temples. Many of these temples provide accommodation offering visitors a taste of life as a traditional Buddhist monk. One of the main attractions is undoubtedly Okunoin, Koya San’s vast cemetery where you will find 200,000 stone stupas located under a thick canopy of cedar, pine and cypress trees; the remarkable Hall of Lanterns where 10 000 oil lamps burn continuously, and of course the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Koya San is a must-see destination for travellers interested in Buddhism, history, traditional culture and spectacular natural scenery.
