In part 2 of our Wakayama road trip, we will journey to Mt Koya 高野山 and check out the amazing temples including Japan’s largest graveyard. Immerse yourself in ancient Japanese culture as we overnight in a 400 year old ryokan guest house and take in spectacular mountain views in the region including an impressive rice terrace!
Mt Koya is easily reached by car, bus or train from Osaka and close enough to the city for a day trip. The town has a long religious history and over the years many temple complexes have been built resulting in a spiritual atmosphere that has significant religious values to this day. Temples are dotted around town and are all easily accessible by food. At one end of town is Okunoin Cemetery, the largest and oldest in the country. Walk through and enjoy the towering cedar trees and ornate tomb stones some of which are hundred of years old.
Torodo hall (Lantern hall) is a grand building housing the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, an ancient Japanese monk.
The best thing about having a car is the independence it gives you. I found this stunning view point as I made my way out of Koya and couldn’t resist pulling over to take a look. It’s easy to find great views like this all over Wakayama.
Mount Tamaki is scenic view point accessed by a very windy road up the side of the mountain. This is one of the highest points in the region, so the views are amazing! As an added bonus there is a forest trail you can walk that takes you around a small temple complex.
Kumamo Hongu Taisha is a temple atop a hill and accessed via a stone step pathway. A quiet place to enjoy its beauty. Over the road from here is Kumano Hongu Taisha Otorii, a huge gate that marks the position of the original temple before it was flooded and moved up the hill. This is the worlds largest gate. Walking underneath it makes you feel very small indeed.
Kamigoten Ryokan Guesthouse is a 400 year old building that has been given special importance status from the government. You can stay here to experience a river side onsen and an incredibly elaborate dinner. It doesn’t get more Japanese than this!
The last day of the road trip meant that I had to drive back to Osaka to drop the hire car off as I would be continuing by train to Tokyo. I did however, have time to make a detour to the Aragi Jima rice terrace. A view point oppose the terraces affords a great view of the terraces themselves, the mountains in the background and the river meandering it’s way around it all.
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