A Guided Hike to Kōyasan Nyonindō — Exploring the Legacy of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai

A young boy once said, “I wish to save people through Buddhism. If I can fulfill this great mission, the Buddha will surely keep me alive!” And with those words, he leapt from a high cliff. He entered university, but when he found he could not learn what he truly sought, he left to pursue the harsh path of Buddhist training. Before long, the young man encountered Esoteric Buddhism. In Tang China, among a thousand disciples, he alone was chosen to receive the secret teachings of Esoteric Buddhism. He was a man sent from Japan as a Kentōshi envoy. Upon returning home, the place he chose to spread Esoteric Buddhism was Mount Kōya. The man who created countless legends, the genius known to history as Kūkai, would later be honored as Kōbō Daishi. But did you know that his legend continues even today, in the Reiwa era? It is said that Kūkai will appear before us once again... (Narration: Akito) This hiking course follows the Nyonin-michi Trail, circling the three sacred peaks surrounding Kōbō Daishi’s Mausoleum — Mount Mani, Mount Yōryū, and Mount Tenjiku, known collectively as the Three Mountains of Kōya. At each summit, there will be part of a three-part talk on the life of Kūkai. After descending, we’ll visit the Okunoin, where over 200,000 gravestones, memorial towers, and monuments stand quietly among towering cedars. Here, we will pay our respects to Kōbō Daishi, who is said to remain in eternal meditation. The walking distance is about 10 km, with moderate ups and downs (Mountain Level: 4). Come learn deeply about Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) and visit the sacred Okunoin of Mount Kōya, a place everyone should see at least once in their life. Recommended ticket: 🎫 “Koyasan World Heritage Digital Ticket” https://www.nankai.co.jp/traffic/digital/koyasan.html Includes round-trip train fare (from designated stations) + 2-day unlimited bus pass in Kōyasan + coupons usable at 9 facilities. It’s about 1,000 yen cheaper than buying separately! Meeting time: 10:10 (Arrive at Gokurakubashi Station by 9:57 and take the 10:02 cable car.) Please note: restrooms at Kōyasan Station are limited in time before boarding the bus, so please use the facilities at Okunoin-mae after getting off the bus. Participation fee: 1,500 yen (bus fare not included) Reference: Wakayama Travel Guide – Mount Koya Model Course