Private Tour
Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Our government-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day tour of UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Mt. Koya. Go on a full-day guided walking tour of Mt. Koya and learn about the modern and traditional aspects of one of the world’s most sacred mountains!
If you would like to take some time out to enjoy some sights outside the big city, then this tour of Mount Koya is for you! Meet your guide at Koyasan station, your private guide will customize your full-day tour in detail according to your interests.
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot at Koyasan Station
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private transportation
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
What To Expect
Koyasan Okunoin
The heart of Mt. Koya. Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan, rests here. Also, many prominent personalities' graves line by the approach to Okunoin for several hundred meters through the forest. Your guide will explain interesting stories about those historical characters.
Kongobu-ji Temple
The main headquarters for the Shingon Sect, which has 4,000 temples throughout Japan and more than 10 million followers worldwide. Visitors can see religious artifact, fusuma sliding door paintings, as well as a beautiful rock garden representing two dragons flying amongst the clouds.
Options
Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Reviews
30 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Which is a tour...
Javier V,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Which is a pleasant and unmissable tour, thanks to the guide Naka for his professionalism, which made us enjoyable the tour
Koyasan to the natural
B656FQjavierv,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a wonderful tour, and with our guide NAKA, who made us enjoy the tour, you rating that he likes his work and thank you for that.
Great informative tour about Koya.
NorthStar52593639505,
Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was thorough and the guide was well informed on the area. He patiently answered our many questions and went into depth describing the culture of the Obon festival.
Attentive and resourceful
Sunshine12942222240,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00He showed us the main places of Koyasan. The guide explained the various tourist attractions very carefully and I was impressed. I also appreciate the resourcefulness with which they have adjusted their plans to fit the pace of the participants. I was also happy to know that they immediately researched and booked places for Ajikan experience and Shojin cuisine.
Warm, personal and very informative guidance
dorettej655,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have seen beautiful nature and culture and learned a lot from our guide. Without her information and guidance, the walk would not have been so beautiful. She knew a lot. And told animatedly. She tailored our itinerary to our preferences and was also very cordial.
Meaningful tour of Mt. Koya
461shereem,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We learned so much about Koyasan’s history and the culture around the town, temples, and cemetery. I definitely recommend this tour.
Great tour guide!
GeethaD971,
Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide Miyuki in Koyasan. She led us on a lovely walking tour through the area, sharing insights and stories that brought the historic sites to life. She was knowledgeable, kind, and attentive to our pace and interests. One of the highlights was the delicious lunch she arranged for us at a charming local restaurant—it was such a special touch and a great way to experience the local culture. Thank you for making our visit to Koyasan so memorable!
Our guide Miyuki was very...
Sheela J,
Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Miyuki was very friendly and knowledgable. We had a wonderful time. Even though it was raining we were able to cover all the attractions.
Bad guide with poor English
Rosalie K,
Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00The sights were beautiful but the guide was unfortunately way way below par. Surprise how someone like him even has earned a guide licence, that is if he is licensed. He arrived without introducing himself, had problems looking at us, his English was poor, he would just talk to 1 person without gathering everyone together to explain, and that is if he does explain. When we asked questions, he answered a few 'I don't know' and he said that the bell tower was 'maybe not in use' but a google search showed that it is still rung a few times a day! It is evident that Hiro-san had problems with public speaking and struggled to look at us or articulate or explain clearly. From the main area, we were hesitant to tell him that we'll be able to manage without him but he led the way to Kongobuji where he was again unable to explain the place well, so we told him we will be fine to walk around Koyoasan on our own. Absolutely disappointing and how does someone like him qualify to even guide tourists?
An enormous waste of money!
mariatmoore5,
May 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00As advised, I selected 3 sites to see on the tour. I was taken to 2 sites and when asked when would i see the 3rd site, I was told by the guide that we had passed it and was too far to go back to see it. The guide was very polite, however, they didn't appear to know too much about the sites we visited. They were unable to answer most of my questions. Unfortunately it was quite a challenge on my part to understand the information proved by the guide. Their English was not not of a suitable standard to confidently explain the various details of the sites, or answer my questions. In addition to the above, after the guide told me we weren't going to the 3rd selected site, we took the bus back into Koyasan and he left. I paid for a 4 your walking tour with a government approved guide. What I got was a 3 hour walk with a guide who was hard to understand and was not knowledgeable of the area. I had to spend on Google for the answers to most of my questions. I only paid for a tour to get alot more insight and history of the area. I should have saved my money and did it alone with Google. It is my expectation that I will be refunded 25% of the cost of the tour as I did not see one of the selected sites, and that the tour guide just left after 3 hours. Never again!
Related Experiences
Operated by Japan Guide Agency