Okunoin Temple

Okunoin (高野山奥之院) is not a temple itself but a vast cemetery located within the precincts of Kongobu-ji Temple, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism on Mount Koya (Koyasan), in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is considered one of the most sacred and important sites in Japan, known for its serene beauty and spiritual significance.

The cemetery is nestled in a dense forest of towering cedar trees, creating a mystical and tranquil atmosphere. It is the largest graveyard in Japan, stretching for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) and containing over 200,000 tombstones and monuments. These memorials belong to various individuals and groups, including samurai warriors, feudal lords, renowned poets and scholars, religious leaders, and ordinary people.

One of the most notable features of Okunoin is the Torodo Hall (燈籠堂), a large hall illuminated by thousands of lanterns that have been offered by worshippers over the centuries. The hall is said to be especially enchanting at night when the lanterns create a magical ambiance.

Okunoin is deeply connected to Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. It is believed that Kukai entered eternal meditation in the mausoleum located at the heart of Okunoin, and his spirit is said to still reside there. The mausoleum is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world, who come to pay their respects and seek spiritual enlightenment.

Visitors to Okunoin can walk along the path leading to the mausoleum, passing by the numerous tombstones and monuments, and experiencing the serene and spiritual atmosphere of the site. They can also visit the Torodo Hall, the Okunoin Temple office, and other temples and shrines located within the cemetery grounds.

Getting there

From Osaka Station to Okunoin Temple:

Train and Bus

Osaka Station ↓ Osaka Loop Line ↓ 13 minutes (5 stops) Shin-Imamiya Station ↓ Nankai-Limited Express ↓ 1 hour 15 minutes (7 stops) Gokurakubashi Station ↓ Nankai Koyasan Cable ↓ 5 minutes (Nonstop) Koyasan Station Koyasan Bus Stop ↓ 22 Koyasannai Line ↓ 21 minutes (11 stops) Okunoin Bus Stop ↓ Walk about 12 minutes ↓ Okunoin Temple (Cost 3,280 yen)

Details

Hours	May to October / 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM November to April / 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission	Free
Phone	+81 736-56-2002
Address	550 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0294
Official Website	https://www.koyasan.or.jp/

Nearby Attractions

Kongobuji Temple Kongobuji Temple (金剛峯寺), is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Koya, or Koyasan, in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The temple is the head temple of Koyasan ...