Things to do in Koyasan

Our pilgrimage to Mount Koya was made truly special by our knowledgeable guide, Hanazawa. He was intimately familiar with the mountain's centuries-old history, from the ancient legends of the vermilion goddess at Niu Shrine to the origins of Buddhist teachings in the tranquil forests of Okunoin. Every word he spoke revealed his deep understanding of the area. He was consistently gentle and patient, slowing his pace to wait for us and meticulously explaining the profound meaning behind each historical site, even with our endless questions. There was no rushing; only the unhurried opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in understanding this World Heritage site. This professional yet warm service made our entire journey through the mountains more meaningful and unforgettable. We are truly grateful to Hanazawa.

Tai is a very helpful and friendly tour guide, he initiated to help me with taking photos seeing as I travelled alone. The tour itinerary itself was actually pretty scenic, unfortunately our tour met with the typhoon Jangmi’s passing through so it was storming heavily and we didn’t get to see the beautiful Awajihanasajiki TT but also thankful the tour wasn’t cancelled and we came back safely

I highly recommend Kumano Sanzan to friends who love nature and culture! The scenery along the way is beautiful, with stunning lakes and mountains. The minibus was smooth and comfortable, and the driver was incredibly polite. The itinerary was well-paced and fulfilling. We even saw deer near Nachi Falls, which was incredibly lucky!

Yen, our driver and guide, drove very smoothly and was incredibly kind, enthusiastic, and attentive to us. There were only two of us that day, and our guide spoke both Chinese and English. In the car, he played audio guides (available in both Chinese and English). At each scenic spot, he thoughtfully introduced the key highlights to us first, or walked with us while explaining the important points, and then allowed us to explore freely. He managed the trip time very well, and his driving was very steady. What was most touching was that before visiting the Goma fire ritual and Okunoin, Yen thoughtfully prepared 'hankesa' (half-kesa) for us to wear around our necks, making our participation in the ceremony feel more solemn. After we finished walking through Okunoin (which required a bit of a hike) and returned to the parking lot, he even thoughtfully prepared dorayaki snacks and tea for us. You can truly feel how dedicated he is. I highly recommend joining his tour!

Meeting a great tour guide is the best bonus on any trip. 🗺️ Not only do they possess vast knowledge, making thousands of years of history come alive and engaging, but their attentiveness is even more remarkable, always anticipating our needs. Thank you for your warmth and care throughout this journey, which made the scenery even more beautiful and our memories even warmer. A huge thank you to Hanazawa; meeting you was truly fortunate.

On of the best tours I ever booked. I totally recommend it. It‘s not the easiest physically but you have plenty of time to relax. Amazing views and our guide Hanazawa-San was the perfect balance. Definetly good quality. Enjoy the pictures below

Beautiful and serene place. Take this if you want a convenient way to visit the sites but have time and silence to wander on your own. Thanks to our guide Yen who showed us the best spots off the usual track.

Shunnavi was a patient and friendly guide, with plenty of experience. He was punctual and had great knowledge of Koyasan. He also recommended lunch for us which was a great recommendation. He even bought snacks for us.hope can join his tour next trip.