History & Trust The original and sole official night tour in Koyasan, operating since 2011. (Registered Trademark No. 5756374)

Deep Learning & Discovery Our certified resident guides share deep stories and the latest information about Koyasan—insights you won't find in any book.

Our Guides Your guide is a Koyasan resident with experience living in a temple, and will be dressed in traditional samue (a monk's work clothing).

Early check-in benefit and return-bus support Check in between 13:00 and 17:00 to enjoy complimentary hot tea, including black tea. After the tour, our guide will lead guests who wish to use the return bus to the bus stop. No bus fare is required. For estimated arrival times at your accommodation, see “Returning to your temple” on this page.

An Authentic Pilgrimage An unforgettable experience as you walk the sacred path to the inner sanctuary where the great monk Kobo Daishi is said to be in eternal meditation.

Enhance Your Koyasan Journey We offer a variety of exclusive experiences beyond the Night Tour. From personalized Private Tours and spiritual hiking to traditional cultural workshops (Matcha, Buddhist Art, and more), discover the perfect way to complete your stay. Explore All Our Tours & Experiences here.

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE

Join us for a special pilgrimage after dinner to pay respects to Kobo Daishi Kukai.

This is a one-of-a-kind tour, walking through the serene silence of Koyasan's Okunoin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Operating nearly every night since 2011, we invite you to experience 1200 years of history on an unforgettable evening.

Enveloped in silence, the Okunoin at night is a sacred place with a mystical and solemn atmosphere, completely different from the daytime.

However, its true charm cannot be discovered by simply walking down a dark path.

Our stories cover topics such as:

The life of Kobo Daishi "Kukai," the founder of Koyasan

The teachings of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism

The history held within the countless tombstones

The mysterious legends of Okunoin

Daily life and seasonal information about Koyasan

As the sole night tour guiding visitors here since 2011, our expert guides will lead you on an intellectually moving and deeply memorable experience.

You might also encounter some local wildlife, like Japanese giant flying squirrels, owls or fireflies!

GETTING TO RECEPTION

Reception is at the AWESOME TOURS counter inside TAIRA Cafe & Souvenir Shop. Pickup from accommodation is not provided.

Bus and taxi services have finished operating by evening reception time. Travel time varies by temple. Please check your route in advance and allow enough time to walk to reception. If you visit during the afternoon, check the bus timetable before travelling.

For example, the walk from Rengejo-in to TAIRA takes approximately 22 minutes. Please allow for the walking time from your own accommodation.

RETURNING TO YOUR TEMPLE

Walk back or take the return bus

After the tour, you can walk back or use the return bus. Taking the bus is optional.

Enjoy an evening walk through Koyasan

If your temple has a 22:00 curfew, or is closer to Okunoin than TAIRA, walking back at a relaxed pace can be a lovely way to enjoy the evening scenery, provided you have enough time before curfew.

The walk from the tour’s finishing point to TAIRA takes approximately 23 minutes. TAIRA is open until 21:30 (last entry 21:15). If your curfew and the onward walk to your temple allow, you are welcome to stop by and spend a relaxed evening at TAIRA.

For guests who prefer the return bus

The tour ends at Okunoin Gobyo (Inner Sanctuary) around 20:20. This is not your arrival time back at your accommodation. For those who wish, the guide will lead you to the bus stop for the return trip to central Koyasan. No bus fare is required.

For most temple lodgings in Koyasan, the return bus gets you back in time for curfew. The temples below require a walk from Senjuin-bashi bus stop. Please check their walking times and estimated arrival times.

Guests staying at Renge-in or Sainan-in cannot participate due to their temples’ curfews. Renge-in and Rengejo-in are different temples.

Bus schedule

Weekdays Okunoin-mae 20:43 departure → Senjuin-bashi 20:49 estimated arrival

Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays Okunoin-mae 20:35 departure → Senjuin-bashi 20:41 estimated arrival

From Senjuin-bashi to your temple

Rengejo-in — approximately 13 minutes on foot Estimated arrival: weekdays 21:02; Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays 20:54.

Nan-in — approximately 10 minutes on foot Estimated arrival: weekdays 20:59; Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays 20:51.

Fukuchi-in, Ryusen-in and Kodai-in — approximately 7 minutes on foot Estimated arrival: weekdays 20:56; Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays 20:48.

Rengejo-in: gate closure and re-entry Rengejo-in closes its gate at around 19:00 (7:00 PM). Before going out, please speak with the temple office to confirm how to re-enter after the gate has closed. You must return by 21:30 (9:30 PM). The gate will normally be closed when you return, so please follow the re-entry instructions provided by the temple office.

After leaving the bus, please head back to your temple. Check the walking route on a map in advance. Arrival times may vary with bus conditions and walking pace. Depending on your return time, you may have less time to use the baths at your temple.

Questions about participation, getting to the meeting point or your return time? Contact AWESOME TOURS at info@awesome-tours.com with your tour date and accommodation name.