A mountaintop monastic town founded by Kukai in 816 — over 100 working temples and the Okunoin cemetery, where 200,000 lanterns light a path through cryptomeria forest at night. Stay in a temple lodging and join morning prayers.

Best season

Spring · Autumn (winter is bitterly cold)

Crowd level

Moderate

Opening hours

Okunoin always accessible; temples 8:30–17:00

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

More in Kansai

Continue exploring

Shirakawa-go

Gifu