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Kongobuji Temple

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4.5 (5889)

132 Kōyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan

Historic temple & headquarters of Shingon Buddhism featuring artifacts, paintings & a rock garden.

hourglassDuration: 00h40min

phone+81 736-56-2011
outdoor
outdoor
indoor
indoor
paid
paid
daytime
daytime
traditional
traditional
temple
temples

clockOpening hours

Mondays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sundays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

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4.5
5889 review(s)
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Annie Sobol in the last week

A designated National Treasure built in the Edo period, Kongobuji Temple at Koyasan is more than just another place of spiritual worship. The larger purpose of the temple is to serve as the headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect, founded by the monk Kobo Daishi, whose mausoleum can be found at nearby Okunoin Temple. Koyasan dates back to 816 and Kongobuji Temple was built in 1593, then rebuilt in 1863. While it is architecturally satisfying from the outside, take off your shoes and step through the doors and you'll be rewarded by Kongobuji Temple's beautiful interior. We were also able to view the Koya Fire Festival (Spring ceremony for the opening of the climbing season at Mt. Koya, and the Buddhist rite of cedar-stick burning) 🔥

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Chiayi Nian a month ago

We visited here in snowing day, atmosphere here is peaceful, making us feeling relaxed. Especially the garden, which is full of Zen.

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Hallelujah 5 months ago

Very good experience to learn shingo buddhism intorduced by kobo daishi. 1000 yen to enter and see more sights but you can't take pictures in the inside, only the outer area like the rocks and greenery.

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Thomas Delemarre 5 months ago

Kongobu-Ji is a very nice temple complex which is considered the original center of Shingon Buddhism. The temple complex and garden are very well kept and there is a tour that leeds you past a large number of very beautiful sliding doors that tell the story of Kukai. In the back there is a beautiful rock garden that is worth a visit as well. There is an entrance fee of 1000yen but it's worthwhile.

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Charles 12 months ago

The temple has not drawn a lot of visitors maybe I went during weekday. However due to the less crowd the temple vicinity is peaceful, serenity and fill with full of Zen arena. It is a good place to pay a visit but not a good place for photo taking.