Passeios por Koyasan

✨Korean Review✨ If you've already been to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe and find them cliché, then head to Awaji Island!! Definitely!! The scenery on the way there is breathtaking... If San Francisco has a red bridge, the road to Awaji Island has a mint-colored bridge! I got to see plenty of the sea, which is hard to find in Osaka... The itinerary was flawless, and the timing was perfect, so there were no delays! It would have been even better if the weather fairy had helped, but it was a little disappointing... I'd love to visit Yumebutai again on a warm, sunny day...! There's also a flower garden that changes with the seasons, and this time it was a canola flower field! I was flustered when it suddenly rained, but the guide gave me an umbrella... So sweet... Korean isn't supported separately, but they provide guidance in English! It's even better if you speak Japanese or Chinese...! Highly, highly, highly recommended... For your information, Awaji Island is famous for its onions!

The tour guide did his best in speaking English. They may want to find someone who can better communicate with all the foreign tourists on this trip. However, all the arrangements were very good and many of us were satisfied. Without a day tour, it seems difficult to go there on your own. This trip is a must if you really want to visit this sacred place.

This was like an education field trip, I absolutely loved it. First of all, we were only a small group, it is always easier to tour with a smaller group. Our guide, Ms Junko was so nice and knowledgeable. She really came in prepared to share information about Kukai and the Isoteric Buddhism. Our driver, Mr. Ishida was just an absolute peach so friendly and funny! Mt. Koya was stunning and the fall foliage was just wow! The orange picking was also a good experience, the interns there were so nice and friendly.

The operator contacted us a day before, and the process was very organized. The only problem was that we did not realize the driver could only speak in Mandarin. I did not notice that when I was booking the tour, so that is something to be aware of. Other than that, it was a good experience.

The staff were professional, and the guide at Koyasan was very experienced! The stay at the shukubo was interesting, though quite spartan. I didn't realize that the communal bathroom wasn't open before the morning chant started, so I had to wash my hair in the sink in the room's toilet…😂

It was cloudy until morning and cold enough to see our breath because it rained the night before the tour. However, thanks to our self-proclaimed weather fairy guide, Jeon Ara, we were able to see Mount Fuji on the way back to Tokyo. It was a breathtaking view that we encountered after a long wait, making for an even more pleasant end to our trip 🗻. It was great that Guide Jeon Ara adjusted the itinerary according to the weather and on-site conditions, rather than sticking to the planned order. We were also grateful for her recommendations for delicious snacks at each location and her accurate guidance and explanations 💗. I realized that seeing Mount Fuji is more difficult than expected and requires a lot of luck (😅). Since the temperature is about 5 degrees lower than in downtown Tokyo, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom and the weather will be warmer until late April, so it would be a good time to visit in April 🌸.

Este viaje de un día a Kumano Kodo fue absolutamente increíble. A pesar de ser un día largo (7:00-20:00), nunca se sintió agotador gracias a la excelente organización y ritmo. Visitamos los tres santuarios sagrados de Kumano Kodo Sanzan, la puerta torii más grande de Japón, y lo más destacado del día: la impresionante cascada de Nachi, que fue verdaderamente espectacular. Un agradecimiento especial a Hanazawa, nuestro guía, por la increíble atención desde el primer minuto. Con muchas horas en el autobús, se aseguró de que estuviéramos cómodos en todo momento, proporcionando almohadas para el cuello, bebidas e incluso aperitivos después de una larga y fascinante caminata. Las paradas estaban perfectamente programadas para disfrutar de cada lugar, almorzar y comprar recuerdos. Aprender sobre este sitio Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO y terminar el día con un relajante baño de pies en un onsen fue el final perfecto. 10/10 — muy recomendado para un día tranquilo y significativo en uno de los lugares más sagrados de Japón.

The lingering aftertaste of a pilgrimage to Koyasan The moment I left Koyasan, the mountain's tranquility settled over my heart like a soft cloth. After the pilgrimage, my body felt a little tired, but my mind was surprisingly clear; the echoes of low chanting in the Buddha halls and the rustling of fallen leaves on the stone steps seemed to peel away the daily distractions, leaving only peace and gratitude. --- Walking between history and spirituality Visiting the memorials of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu in Koyasan wasn't merely about tracing their names, but about feeling the imprints they left on Japanese history and the complexities of the human heart. Standing before their memorial sites, my thoughts involuntarily traveled through time: the tapestry woven from war and unification, power and faith, appeared both distant and real in this mountain forest enveloped by the light of Buddha. That feeling of examining one's personal destiny within the long river of history made me more humbly face my own choices and journey. --- The surprise of Hanabishi's Koyasan cuisine Among the dining experiences in Koyasan, Hanabishi's Koyasan cuisine was an unforgettable culinary memory. The dishes, based on fresh local ingredients, were delicate and unpretentious, preserving the natural sweetness of the ingredients while revealing the chef's meticulous attention to detail. Each small dish was like a short poem, gently narrating the changing seasons of the mountains; the hot soup and pickles brought warmth in the cold, making it feel like this meal was not just about filling the stomach, but a ritual of hospitality. It was absolutely delicious and highly recommended for travelers seeking authentic flavors in Koyasan. --- Great satisfaction from small things Those inconspicuous moments during the journey—the morning mist, a lamp in the temple, a brief conversation with a monk, a cup of hot tea in a teahouse—ultimately became the most gentle footnotes of the entire trip. Sharing observations with companions in the evening, or sitting alone in the garden reminiscing about the day's scenery, these simple moments made one feel that life could be slowed down and savored. --- Inner echoes after the journey After returning to daily life, the tranquility of Koyasan still surfaces unexpectedly. What it taught me is the ability to preserve emptiness amidst the hustle and bustle: to set aside time for reflection in busyness, allowing thoughts an opportunity to organize and respond. Visiting the three historical figures made me better understand the intersection of history and personal destiny; a meal at Hanabishi reminded me that true deliciousness often comes from respect for the land and the present moment. Returning with these feelings, life seems to have gained more weight and warmth. --- Conclusion Koyasan is not a place to be rushed through and checked off, but an experience that can be savored repeatedly. Whether it's contemplating historical figures or enjoying a thoughtfully prepared meal, this journey teaches one to view the world with a gentler perspective. If you also plan to visit, remember to slow down, and let the mountains, temples, and a good meal slowly bring you back to your truest self.