Kansai Niche Secret One-Day Tour: Awaji Island / Mount Koya / Kumano Kodo (Choose one of three) - Departing from Osaka Shinsaibashi

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.

It rained that day, but it didn't affect the itinerary or the experience. There were 10 people in the group: 8 foreigners and 2 from Hong Kong/Macau. We traveled in a 14-seater mini-bus with excellent air conditioning. Our guide and driver, Yan Lei, was very responsible and attentive. He could introduce the attractions using simple English and detailed Mandarin, and there were also recorded explanations played on the bus. He led us to multiple attractions on foot along the way. He not only prepared umbrellas but also snacks and tea. Entry to the main pagoda and the Kondo (Golden Hall) each cost JPY 500 for worship. Kongobuji Temple (JPY 1000) features a rock garden and paintings on the interior walls. Personally, I recommend spending more time at the Reihokan Museum (JPY 1300), which exhibits cultural artifacts and Buddhist statues; the table mandala souvenir there is quite unique. There are several restaurants nearby offering shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine), but be mindful of your time. In the afternoon, we attended a free Goma prayer ceremony led by monks. You can write wishes on wooden sticks for good fortune (JPY 1000) and then cast them into the sacred fire. The path through Okunoin to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum is lined with ancient trees and cemeteries. The drive involves many winding mountain roads, so those prone to motion sickness should be aware.

This day trip is absolutely recommendable ✨ Besides the places we visited, I was especially impressed by the drive through the mountains; simply super beautiful 🥰 Our guide Hanazawa was excellent, he truly cares about his participants with all his heart, thank you very much 🙇🏼‍♀️

Our trip to Mount Koya was absolutely perfect. Everything worked smoothly from start to finish. Our guide, who was Chinese, spoke both English and Chinese fluently and was an absolute sweetheart—very kind, attentive, and incredibly patient, especially with us since our English is not very strong. Our driver was also excellent and very professional. The tour itself is incredible. The itinerary is well planned and very enriching—you truly get to experience the deep cultural and religious roots of Japan. It’s a unique and meaningful experience. Everything was amazing, and our guide made it even more special. I would definitely do it again many times if I could!

✨Korean Review✨ If you've been to Osaka so many times that it's become boring, and you've already visited Kyoto and Kobe, then head to Awaji Island! Seriously, the scenery on the way there is absolutely stunning. If San Francisco has a red bridge, the road to Awaji Island has a mint-colored bridge! I got to see plenty of the ocean, which is hard to find in Osaka. The itinerary was flawless and perfectly timed, so there were no delays! It would have been even better if the weather fairy had helped out, but it was a little disappointing. I really want to go back to Yumebutai on a warm, sunny day! There are flower fields that change with each season, and this time it was a canola flower field! I was surprised when it suddenly started raining, but the guide gave me an umbrella. So sweet! Korean isn't supported, but they do provide information in English! It's even better if you speak Japanese or Chinese. I highly, highly, highly recommend it! By the way, Awaji Island is famous for its amazing onions!

This day trip to Kumano Kodo was absolutely amazing. Despite being a long day (7:00–20:00), it never felt tiring thanks to the excellent organization and pacing. We visited the three sacred Kumano Kodo Sanzan shrines, the largest torii gate in Japan, and the highlight of the day: the breathtaking Nachi Waterfall, which was truly spectacular. Special thanks to Hanazawa, our guide, for the incredible attention from the very first minute. With many hours on the bus, he made sure we were comfortable at all times, providing neck pillows, drinks, and even snacks after a long and fascinating walk. The stops were perfectly timed to enjoy each place, have lunch, and buy souvenirs. Learning about this UNESCO World Heritage site and ending the day with a relaxing foot bath at an onsen was the perfect finish. 10/10 — highly recommended for a peaceful and meaningful day in one of Japan’s most sacred places.

World Heritage Koyasan Tour! It is well-organized with a comfortable schedule. Be sure to experience the Koyasan Tour, a symbol of Wakayama Prefecture. It is very different from the cultural heritage sites of Nara or Kyoto, and its advantage is that you can see it comfortably because there are relatively few visitors. Guide Yanlei, who speaks 3 languages, appropriately guided us at each place we visited, such as Daimon, Danjo Garan, Kongobuji, and Okunoin. It was a schedule that required safe driving, but it was a comfortable trip in a clean 18-seater bus.

I'm very grateful to our guide, Hanazawa, for being willing to run the tour even with a small group! We departed from Osaka at 7:00 AM sharp, and the meeting point was clear and easy to find. The pace of the entire tour was perfectly managed. Hanazawa accompanied us throughout the journey, and was not only friendly and enthusiastic but also a great photographer, capturing the perfect angles so everyone could create lasting memories. He also carefully explained the origins of the names of the various Oji shrines, adding depth to the mountain trail. The route from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine was very accessible, with flat and easy paths along the way. The last stop was a local favorite foot spa, which soothed our tired feet after walking seven kilometers, bringing the trip to a perfect end. Overall, it was a fulfilling and therapeutic experience, and I highly recommend taking a day trip to the mountains when visiting Osaka!

If you want a break from the chaos of Osaka city and want to enjoy architecture, nature and little to no mad crowds, this is the tour for you. The tour was very well organised, led professionally by Hanazawa. He is proficient in English and Mandarin and it was very easy to follow his explanations. The tour group had about 10 people and it was just the right size. Nice, relaxing day, ending with awesome pancakes and superb seaside views. 💡We actually missed the timing on the original date we booked but the tour operator was so kind to let us join the same tour the next day

Kudos to Mr. Hanasawa. He was the epitome of a perfect tourist guide. His attention to his craft was impeccable. Our visit to Awaji Island was one for the book- unforgettable and truly magical. The idea of having the best pancakes we’ve had by far watching the sunset was spectacularly an experience that made a lasting impression. We are going back to see more of Awaji. 100% recommended this tour and Mr. Hanasawa. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu Mr. Hanasawa!