Kōyasan (Mount Kōya)

Mount Kōya, or Kōyasan, is a sacred pilgrimage site in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, founded in 804 by Buddhist monk Kukai (Kōbō Daishi). It’s the center of Shingon Buddhism, featuring a complex of temples, pagodas, and cemeteries set atop a forested mountain. Visitors come to explore its spiritual atmosphere, participate in meditation, and pay respects at Kukai’s mausoleum. Kōyasan also offers scenic natural beauty and historical architecture, making it both a religious retreat and a cultural destination. It’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significance in Japanese religious history.