Beyond the City Limits: 8 Exciting Day Trips to Take from Kyoto

Beyond the City Limits: 8 Exciting Day Trips to Take from Kyoto - Explore the Moss Temples of Koyasan

Nestled deep in the misty mountains of Wakayama Prefecture lies Koyasan, an enchanting Buddhist temple complex and one of Japan's most sacred sites. Of the over 100 temples scattered across this mystical mountain town, Kongobuji and Danjo Garan are two highlights every visitor should experience.

Kongobuji Temple, originally constructed in 816 AD, is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism. As you wander through its sprawling grounds blanketed in soft green moss, you'll feel transported back centuries. Gaze up at the dramatic sloped roof of the temple's main hall, then duck inside to admire the ornate gold screens and murals. Don't miss the rock garden, raked to resemble rippling water and waves. It's a place of tranquil contemplation.

Just across the way lies Danjo Garan, the core of Koyasan's temple precincts. Its crowning jewel is the Kondo Hall, home to awe-inspiring statues of Buddha and his disciples. But it's the thatched-roof Konpon Daito pagoda that is truly unforgettable. Dating back to 887 AD, it's the earliest surviving example of this architectural style in Japan. Climbing the steep narrow stairs to glimpse the Pacific Ocean shimmering in the distance is an experience not to be missed.