Suggested Itineraries

Wakayama

Choishi-michi (Koyasan Pilgrimage Route)

The Pilgrimage Route
that is connected to the sacred area
above the sky, Koyasan

Choishi-michi is a route that is starts from Kudoyama, the foot of Koyasan, to Konpon Daito of Kongoubuji Temple. The 180 stone statues called choishi that stand beside the route has brought many to the sacred area. It is one of the pilgrimage routes to Koyasan that is registered as a world heritage.
Silence, prayers and light. What did Kukai see beyond them? The road that never stopped for 1,200 years lies here.

Recommended route

DepartureNankai Namba station

70 minute by Nankai Railways (Nankai Koya Line)

Kudoyama station

30 second walk

Omusubi Stand: Kudo

20 minute walk

Jison-in Temple

1 minute walk

Niukanshoubu Shrine

30 minute walk

Observation Deck

60 minute walk

Ropponsugi

30 minute walk

Niutsuhime shrine

30 minutes by Nankai Rinkan Bus

GoalKoyasan Daimon Gate

Great to get ready for trekking

Omusubi Stand: Kudo

3 "Kamado" (rice cookers) are inside the kitchen you can see from the platform. You can taste the original taste of Kudoyama/Wakayama here. The harmony of Omusubi rice balls made from traditional "Kamado" rice cookers and the materials direct from Wakayama is great.
You can enjoy the scenery of the town of Kudoyama from the observation deck and old operation control devices of railways and retro guides of Nankai Railways.
It's a restaurant that makes your journey enjoyable at the enterance of Choishi-michi.

Address
123-2, Oaza Kudoyama, Kudoyama-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Access
Inside Kudoyama station, Nankai Koya Line

Grants wishes of women

Jison-in Temple

Jison-in Temple is also called "Nyonin Koya (Koya for women)", and was a place the mother of Kobo Daishi Kukai has lived, because women were forbidden to enter Koyasan. Kukai, who was in Koysan, walked down the mountain roads that were more than 20 km long 9 times a month to see his mother who was living in Jison-in Temple. This is why this area is called Kudoyama (Kudo means 9 times in Japanese).
It was also a temple for woman who could not go to Koyasan, and was the goal of prayers to Koyasan. It is said that if you pray here, your wishes of pregnancy, safe birth and childcare will come true.

Address
832, Jison-in, Kudoyama-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Access
20 minute walk from Kudoyama station, Nankai Koya Line
MAP

Brings fortune to us

Niukanshoubu Shrine

Niukanshoubu Shrine can be seen after you have walked up 119 stone staircases from the start point of Choishimichi, Jison-in. This is a shrine where the 2 gods of the area, Niutsuhime and Koya Miko, lies. Kukai made this shrine when he built Jison-in.
The 2 white and black dogs that are the messengers of the god of Niukanshoubu Shrine have been prayed by many since ancient times as a god that grants wishes about safe birth, pregnancy, and love.

Address
835, Jison-in, Kudoyama-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Access
20 minute walk from Kudoyama station, Nankai Koya Line
MAP

Overlook the road you have walked

Observation Deck

This sightseeing tower is 30 minuites from Jisonin. It's a best place to take a rest when you're tired of walking. It might be good to bite on your Omusubi rice ball you bought at Omusubi Stand Kudo here to gain power for your journey.

Address
Jison-in, Kudoyamacho, Ito, Wakayama
MAP

Feel the sunlight beyond the trees

Ropponsugi

The course is finally approaching to the middle. This is a junction located by the 136th choishi, and is connected to Niutsuhime shrine. Many japanese ceder awaits you, and the light through the trees is warm and gentle.

MAP

The shrine of the godess that protects Koya

Niutsuhime shrine

This is the goal of our trekking course, Niutsuhime shrine. The land god of Koyasan, Niu Myojin, and the god that brought Kukai to Koyasan, Kariba Myojin are the main gods. It is said that this shrine brings peace to the worshippers as it brought Kukai to the saint area. The contrast of the crimson Taikobashi bridge and Roumon gate charms the people who come here.

Address
230, Kamiamano, Katsuragi, Ito-gun, Wakayama
MAP

The entrance to the sacred area Koyasan

Daimon Gate

You will arrive to this official enterance of Koyasan, Daimon, 30 minuites by bus from Niutsuhime shrine. Daimon was burnt down several times because of natural disasters, but it was rebuilt in 1705, and is now an important national property. Niozou statues, which are the 2nd largest in Japan, stand beside the gate, and have watched the worshippers who came to Koyasan.
You can see the mountains of Shikoku and Awaji beyond the gate.

Address
132, Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Access
30 second walk from Daimon, Nankai Rinkan Bus
MAP

Other spots

OSAKA

Kakinosato Kudoyama - the hometown of persimmons

Enjoy persimmons of Kudoyama and a variety of the taste of nature direct from the farm

Address: 5-5, Nyuugo, Kudoyamacho, Itogun, Wakayama
Opening Hours: 9:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.
Holidays: Jan 1st - 3rd

HP:http://kakinosatokudoyama.com/

OSAKA

Strawberry farm Yuu

Strawberry farm 10 minutes away from Kudoyama station

Address: near 433, Kudoyama, Kudoyamacho, Itogun, Wakayama
Opening Hours: 10:00 A.M. - 16:00 P.M.
Holidays: Thursdays
Strawberry picking: Make advance reservations

HP:http://ichigonosato-yuu.main.jp/

Transportation facilities to use

Kudoyama station, Nankai Railways (70 minute from Nankai Namba station by the limited express)