Kudoyama Leading to World Heritage Sites Kudoyama - Koyasan Japan's Best Tour Kudoyama Leading to World Heritage Sites Kudoyama - Koyasan Japan's Best Tour

Reservations

An overnight trip around Kudoyama,

a rarely visited region of Wakayama Prefecture rich in Japan's nature and history.

With the traditions and scenery of Japan in the good old days still alive and well, Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture is the starting point of the Koyasan pilgrimage route. This tour provides a valuable opportunity to experience the Japanese culture unique to Kudoyama.
For example, you can have a heartwarming time with local people, through "tea ceremony practicing", "samurai helmet making", "Japanese food cooking" and other hands-on experiences. In addition, you will fully enjoy the area of Kudoyama to Koyasan: the first public opening of the inside of "Jison-in Tahoto" two-story pagoda, which has never been publicly unveiled for as long as 400 years, and trekking through the "Koyasan Choishi-Michi" pilgrimage trail, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We look forward to meeting you.

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Places to Go

Jison-in

For the first time in 400 years,
the inside of Jison-in Tahoto two-story pagoda is publicly unveiled.

The "Tahoto" two-story pagoda was built by a monk named Kukai, the founder of the holy site of Koyasan. Inside is enshrined a statue of Amitabha Tathagata. Since its erection in the early Edo period (1603-1867) this pagoda has never been opened to the public. It was decided, however, to show its inside to the public in the fall of 2023 for the first time in Japan. Please be present at this historic moment.

The precincts of Jison-in Temple is illuminated through Japanese traditional paper.

During the tour, an illumination event will be held in the precincts of Jison-in Temple. You will be welcomed with lights through the "Koya paper" made in Kudoyama Town and Koya Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Please enjoy a fantastic karma that goes above and beyond the daytime atmosphere.

Illumination time 18:00 thru 20:30

Limited paper cutout red ink stamp

A red ink stamp is a certificate of the visit to a shrine or temple. In this tour, you will receive a special "paper cutout red ink stamp" limited to Jison-in Temple.

Special chanting SHÔMYÔ DAIMANDARAKU

Koyasan esoteric art "Shômyô" is referred to the vocal music chanted by monks. A special evening performance will be held at Jison-in Temple for 3 days only.

Oct. 14 (Sat.), Nov. 11 (Sat.) and Nov. 25 (Sat.) only!

Choishi-michi

Experience the history reflected and nature produced in the region of Kudoyama to Koyasan.

The Choishi-Michi pilgrimage route starts from Jison-in Temple of Kudoyama up to the Konpon Daito Pagoda of Kongobuji Temple on Mt. Koya. Since Kobo Daishi Kukai opened Mt. Koya, the 180 stone pillars (called Choishi) standing along the trail have been inviting many worshippers to the sanctuary. It is one of the historic Koya pilgrimage routes and registered as a World Heritage Site.

* You are advised to wear hiking boots.
* The Choishi-Michi course from Yatate to Daimon is taken for this tour.

Storyteller guide
(Choishi-Michi)

A storyteller guide will accompany you along the course from Yatate to Daimon of the Choishi-Michi route. Please look forward to his/her interesting story.

Get relaxed at Koyasan

You get tired out from walking. Here is a temple lodging in Koyasan for your exhausted body.

An overnight stay at an old station building

An old station building, built in 1925, was renovated to a retro-inspired hotel (Nipponia Hotel). Fully enjoy an extraordinary time with Japan’s railway view.

Premium dinner

Asahiya Kappo Tomo, Michelin-starred, has come up with special dishes exclusively for this tour. Please savor the taste of Japan.

Rice ball breakfast

The rice ball stand "Kudo" is located inside Kudoyama Station. The ball-shaped food made from rice cooked the Japanese traditional way is exquisite.

Kudoyama original bento

Sanada Ikoi Chaya, a popular spot in Kudoyama, prepares home-cooked bento boxes, using plenty of local ingredients. Try these lip-smacking treats.

Things to Do
(at Kudoyama)

(You can opt for 2 choices per group.)

  • Souvenirs
    included

    Making Sanada Himo cords

    [Hands-on time: 1 hour]

    The traditional culture of "Sanada Himo" cords has been handed down from old times in Kudoyama. Why don't you enjoy the experience of making these cords in a wooden flat old-folk house?

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun

  • You can take
    your helmet home.

    Making Sanada warrior helmet

    [Hands-on time: 1 hour]

    The "crimson armor" symbolizes the Japanese warlord "Sanada Yukimura". Among the armor parts, you can make an original helmet with the banner sporting the six-mon-coin emblem.

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun

  • Souvenirs
    included

    Making Koya paper by hand

    ［Hands-on time: 30 min.]

    Legend has it that Kobo Daishi Kukai initiated
    the techniques of making Kishu Koya (Kosawa) paper. Why don’t you make this paper
    with your own hands?

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun

  • Souvenirs
    included

    Making pressed sushi

    [Hands-on time: 1 hour]

    "Oshi zushi", or home-cooked pressed sushi, has been and is popular in Kudoyama on happy occasions. Try to make and taste the old-fashioned country cooking.

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun

  • Practicing tea ceremony

    [Hands-on time: 1 hour]

    Tea ceremony is a quintessential practice to show the Japanese spirit of hospitality. Enjoy the feeling of the season with tea utensils, sweet refreshments, flowers, etc.

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun

  • Souvenirs
    included

    Visiting a sake brewery

    ［Hands-on time: 30 min.]

    This tour gives you experience with sake brewed from local rice and plenty of water around the Kino River. The sake storehouse of Hatsu-sakura Brewery is designated as national tangible cultural heritage.

    Opening hours:

    • 13:30ー14:30
    • 15:00ー16:00

    Opening days:

    • mon
    • tue
    • wed
    • thu
    • fri
    • sat
    • sun
    (excluding national holidays)

Reservations

Itinerary

An Approach to the World Heritage Site Ultimate Tour
from Kudoyama to Koyasan

Reservation period:

August 31 - November 20, 2023

Tour period:

September 17 - November 30, 2023

Day 1

13:00
Meeting at Kudoyama Station
Start of the first hands-on experience
Start of the second hands-on experience
16:00
Visit to Jison-in Temple
17:00
Special chanting SHÔMYÔ DAIMANDARAKU

(* Oct. 14, Nov. 11 & Nov. 25)

17:30
Premium dinner
19:20
Viewing illuminated Jison-in Temple
21:00
Arrival at the hotel

Day 2

9:00
Departure from the hotel
9:15
Breakfast at the rice ball stand "Kudo"
10:20
Stroll around Niukanshobu Shrine
11:00
Stroll around Niutsuhime Shrine
11:50
Arrival at Yatate
Start of trekking
Bento lunchtime
14:30
Arrival at Daimon and end of trekking
15:00
Arrival at Koyasan temple lodging
17:00
Dismissal. Act on your own.

Taxis are available to charter and visit sightseeing spots.

Tour Details

Tour period:
September 17 thru November 30, 2023, overnight
Meeting time:
13:00
Meeting place:
Kudoyama Station of Nankai Koya Line
Number of participants:
2 groups (1 to 6 persons) * Please note that reservation will end as soon as it is fully booked.
Minimum number of participants:
1 person
Payment method:
Credit cards only accepted
Travel agent:
Nankai Travel International Co., INC.
Nankai SK Namba Bldg. 8F, 1-10-4 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-0011 Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (Weekdays only) Phone: 06-6643-0707
Terms and conditions:
Domestic agent-organized tours, https://www.nanka-e-tabi.com/yakkan/domes_contract/
Cancellation charges:
[Counting from the day before the start date of the tour]
1) 8-20 days in advance: 20% of the tour price
2) 2-7 days in advance: 30% of the tour price
3) The day before the start of the tour: 50% of the tour price
4) On the day of the start of the tour: 100% of the tour price
* For details, please refer to [13. Cancellation of the travel contract by customers] in the above terms and conditions.
Pricing:

<Included in the price>

Local transportation (taxi fare), various hands-on experience program fees, accommodation, meals (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner), admissions and other tourist-related charges, Choishi-Michi guide fee, consumption and other taxes.

<Not included in the price>

Travel expenses up to the meeting place, drinks at meals, personal expenses such as laundry charges, and additional charges such as more options.

Advance preparations:

<Allergies>

・If you have any food allergies or anti-infection rubbing alcohol allergies, please let us know the items at the time of reservation.

<Measures in case of rain and other precautions.>

• Rain-or-shine event, but cancelled in case of stormy weather. In case of cancellation, we will contact you by the day before.
• Depending on the weather, some of the hands-on experience programs may change.
• The itinerary is subject to change depending on traffic conditions on the day. .

Others:

<Conditions of participation>

At least one adult is basically accepted. Please contact Nankai Travel International Co., INC.

<Whether or not tours are available>

When deciding on the operation of the tour, we will confirm whether or not tourists from outside the prefecture can be accepted in Wakayama Prefecture and Kudoyama Town, that is the destination. We will also check and consider the details of measures against the Covid-19 pandemic and its status of infection, and then make a comprehensive decision. Please note that if the infection status changes, the tour may be canceled with short notice, even after the operation has been decided.
Due to the sudden circumstances of temples, shrines and other hands-on experience locations, the event contents may change and/or the exposition, special public opening, visiting, SHÔMYÔ special chanting may be impossible.

Access
to meeting Place