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 and autumn (winter is bitterly cold)

Crowd level

Moderate

Japanese needed

Basic

Opening hours

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

Best paired with

Continue your route

Shirakawa-go

Gifu