The Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail is one of Japan’s oldest and most culturally significant pilgrimage routes.
Dating back over 1,200 years, this historic mountain trail was used by monks and pilgrims traveling to Mount
Koya, the spiritual center of Shingon Buddhism. The path is marked by stone signposts called ‘choishi’,
placed every 109 meters to guide travelers toward the sacred grounds.
Today, the trail is a popular hiking route offering stunning forest scenery, traditional stone markers, and a
deeply peaceful atmosphere. It is one of the best ways to experience Koyasan as pilgrims once
did—immersed in nature, history, and spirituality.
- 🗼 Count the **180 Stone Signposts** 🗼 – ancient 3-meter stupas that guide your journey 🗼
- 🌲 Hike through **Ancient Forests** 🌲 of towering cedar and fragrant cypress trees 🌲
- ⛩️ Visit **Jison-in Temple** ⛩️ – the trail’s starting point and a site dedicated to women ⛩️
- 🌊 Cross the **Kino-kawa River** 🌊 and enjoy panoramic views of the Wakayama valley 🌊
- 🏮 Pass through **Daimon Gate** 🏮 – the grand entrance marking your arrival at Koyasan 🏮
- 🚆 **From Osaka** 🚆: Take the Nankai Koya Line from Namba to **Kudoyama Station** 🚆
- 👣 **To the Trailhead** 👣: A 20-minute walk through Kudoyama town leads to Jison-in Temple 👣
- 🚆 **From Kyoto** 🚆: Travel to Osaka (Namba) and transfer to the Nankai Koya Line 🚆
- 🚗 **By Car** 🚗: Parking is available at “Michi-no-Eki Kaki-no-Sato Kudoyama” near the start 🚗
- 🥾 Wear **sturdy hiking boots** 👟; the trail has steep, rocky, and uneven sections 🥾
- 💧 Pack **ample water and snacks** 🍱; there are very few shops once you enter the forest 💧
- 🗺️ Download an **offline map** 📱 or GPX file, as cell service can be spotty in deep woods 🗺️
- ⏰ **Start by 8:00 AM** ☀️ to ensure you reach Koyasan before the sun sets ⏰
- 🕖 Start early 🌄 at the **Jison-in** ⛩️ trailhead in Kudoyama 🕖
- 🕤 Follow the **stone pillars** 🗼 as they count down to the summit 🕤
- 🕛 Stop for lunch 🍱 at the **Yatate 🪵 Teahouse** mid-point 🕛
- 🕒 Pass through the **Daimon Gate** 🏮 as your reward for the trek 🕒
