Blessed with Nature’s admirable beauties and rich in cultural treasures, Japan is a great travel destination for tourists! If you’re planning a trip to Japan, then include in your itinerary; Mount Kōya, Mount Hiei and Mount Osore, Japan’s Famous sacred Mountains.
Mount Koya
Mount Kōya, known as the center of Shingon Buddhism, is situated in Wakayama prefecture in Osaka, Japan. Reaching 800 meters high, the eight peaks (resembling a lotus plant) of this holy mountain is home to more than 100 temple complex. These famous temple sites include:
Oku-no-In, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), bounded by an impressive and immense graveyard lighted by thousands of lanterns.
Dai-mon Gate – a 25 m high gate that served as the temple’s main entrance.
The Garan – the heart of Mt. Koya, located on the far west of the town, which houses the Konpon Daitō pagoda.
Kongōbu-ji Temple – the headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism.
Kōyasan chōishi-mich – i the ancient pilgrim trail going up the mountain.
This sacred mountain is accessible primarily by train from Osaka to Gokurakubashi Station at the base of the mountain. From Gokurakubashi, tourists will then a 5-minute cable car ride to reach the top of the mountain. Most sights at Mount Koya close at 5 pm, but an overnight stay at the holy mountain is a great experience. Around 50 temple lodgings provide shukubo (temple-stay) for visitors. These Koya-san temples offer vegetarian monk’s cuisine. For the non-vegetarian, there are restaurants which cater traditional Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
Mount Hiei
Mount Hiei is a Japanese sacred mountain located in Kyoto, Japan. It is famous for the Enryakuji Temple, the first headquarter of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. A World Heritage site built in in 788, the temple complex was burned down in 1571, but was rebuilt and to this date remains the Tendai headquarters.
The temples on Mt. Hiei are home to several famous sites including:
The Garden Museum that houses grave of Saichō, the founder of Japan’s Tendai Buddhism.
Kokuhoden Museum houses hundreds of artwork artifacts owned by the Enryaku-ji Temple.
Konpon Chudō, the primary central hall of the temple, home of the Inextinguishable Dharma Light.
Bruno Petzold Monument, built in honor of Bruno Petzold, a German Tendai Bishop
Mount Hieo is accessible from Kyoto in several mode of transportations including; by train, bus, or by cable cars. The mountain with beautiful dense forests is a popular area for hikers. Visitors will not worry where to dine or spend the night for there are several teahouses, restaurants and hostels that will cater visitors’ needs.
Mount Osore
Mount Osore (literally “Mount Fear”), is not actually a mountain, but a barren volcanic wasteland located in Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Often called the ‘Gateway to Hell’, it is home to famous Bodaiji Temple run by the Soto Zen sect. Here, monks offered offerings to the souls of the dead. Other interesting sites worth visiting at this sacred mountain includes the small Sanzu river, known for its arched red bridge; and Lake Usoriyama, a volcanic crater with its amazing white sand beach.
Visitors can take a train or bus to reach the sacred mountain which is only open to the public from May 1st to October 31st. Though the place smells like rotten eggs because of the intense volcanic activity in the area, Mt. Osore is still a famous destination for tourists. Several souvenir shops and small restaurants and litter outside the temple. There are also temple lodgings available for guest who wish to stay overnight.
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