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✨【Official】Koyasan Okunoin Night Tour (Since 2011)✨

Join a certified, local guide for a sacred night walk through Okunoin Cemetery. Discover a mystical and fantastical world, completely different from the daytime, as you listen to deep stories of Kobo Daishi Kukai and Esoteric Buddhism.

On this tour, we will walk through the sacred Okunoin cemetery at night to pay our respects to the great master Kobo Daishi Kukai. 🙏 After dinner, before you retire for the night… 🌙 walking through Okunoin with a local Koyasan guide reveals a fantastical and mysterious world, completely different from what you see during the day. 💫

【Our Philosophy】

The “Koyasan Okunoin Night Tour” was started in 2011 by our founder, who began guiding visitors alone with a single passion: “I want people to experience the true, deep charm and silence of the Okunoin at night, safely.” For over 14 years since, we have been running this tour almost every single night.

Recently, we have noticed other tours imitating our name and route. Please be aware that these tours have no affiliation with us, AWESOME TOURS. The quality of the guide, the content of the tour, and the safety considerations may differ significantly. Please check the details carefully when you book. (Registered Trademark No. 5756374)

🌟【What You’ll Experience】🌟

The tour covers a wide range of topics, including the story of Kobo Daishi, an introduction to Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, explanations of the ancient tombstones, mysterious legends of Okunoin, life in a shukubo (temple lodging), and the history of Koyasan. 🦉✨ If you’re lucky, you might even encounter nocturnal wildlife like giant flying squirrels, owls, or fireflies…

【About Our Guides】

• Experienced in temple life and practices in Koyasan.
• Certified Guides for the Kongobuji Temple Grounds.
• As local residents, they share timely, in-depth stories that only locals would know.
• They will guide you wearing samue (traditional work clothes of a monk).

【Flow of the Day】
(1. Check-in →2. Meeting Point →3. Tour →4. Finish)

【STEP 1】Tour Check-in (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM)

Location: AWESOME TOURS Reception Counter (inside the ‘Taira’ souvenir shop & cafe)
734, Koyasan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qNj7n5fKXHiGFY578

Please complete your check-in here during the hours listed above on the day of your tour. You will receive a “Participation Ticket” with your exact meeting time and location.

★ Early Check-in Bonus ★
For guests who check in between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, we offer one complimentary hot drink (such as a Caffe Latte or Matcha Latte). We encourage you to stop by early! (Note: This offer is not available for check-ins after 5:00 PM).

【STEP 2】Head to the Meeting Point

Meeting Point: Okunoin Entrance, at the Ichinohashi Bridge (in front of the map)

Please make your way to the meeting point in time for the departure time written on your “Participation Ticket.”

It is about a 3-minute walk from the ‘Taira’ reception shop to the Ichinohashi Bridge. We recommend arriving 5 minutes early to allow time for restroom breaks. (There is a public restroom just before the bridge).

【STEP 3】Tour Start & Finish

Departure Time: Around 7:03 PM / 7:13 PM (as stated on your ticket)
End Time: Around 8:20 PM
End Point: Okunoin, Gokusho (Offering Hall area)

This is a 1.5-hour night walk covering approximately 2 km one way. The guide will lead you to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, and the tour will conclude at the Gokusho area.

【STEP 4】Getting Back After the Tour

For guests who are concerned about the dark roads or have a 9:00 PM curfew at their lodging, our guide will escort you to a bus stop (approx. a 15-minute walk). From there, it is a 5-10 minute bus ride back to the center of Koyasan (bus fare is not required).

If your curfew is 10:00 PM or later, we also recommend a peaceful walk back from Okunoin (approx. 25 minutes from the end point to the meeting point).

<< Notes on Using the Bus >>

– The bus may be crowded, and you may need to stand.
– If your lodging is north of the Senjuinbashi bus stop, you will need to walk an additional 5-10 minutes after getting off the bus.
– Please confirm your travel times in advance to ensure you are not late for your curfew.

📌【Please Read Before Booking】📌

* Contact: For any inquiries about the tour, please do not contact the shukubo temples. Please email us at “info@awesome-tours.com” or visit our reception shop, ‘Taira’.

* Participation Requirements:
* This tour is for guests aged 6 and older.
* The path is dark with many steps. This tour is suitable only for those confident in their walking ability.
* For safety reasons, participation with strollers or wheelchairs is not possible.

* Who Cannot Participate: Guests staying at Renge-in cannot join due to curfew and bathing time restrictions.
* What to Wear: Please refrain from wearing yukata. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing.
* Changing Tours: If you book this English tour, you may change to a Japanese tour on the day of, *only if seats are available*. Please note that no refunds will be issued for any price difference.

🙏【During the Tour】🙏

* To maintain the tranquility, please refrain from loud conversations.
* Recording, filming, or simultaneous interpretation during the guide’s explanations is not permitted.
* There are areas where photography is not allowed. Please follow the guide’s instructions.
* The use of flash photography is strictly prohibited.

🌧️【In Case of Rain/Bad Weather】🌧️

* The tour will run in the rain unless a cancellation notice is sent. Please bring your own umbrella or raincoat (rentals are not available).
If the tour is canceled, we will notify you by 6:40 PM via your registered email address. We will issue a full refund.

【What’s included in the tour】
• Guidance by a local, professional, English-speaking guide who resides in Koyasan.
• Post-tour bus ride from the Okunoin area back to the center of Koyasan (optional, no bus fare is required).

★ Early Check-in Bonus ★

For guests who check in between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the day of the tour, we offer one complimentary hot drink (such as a Caffe Latte or Matcha Latte) at our reception shop, ‘Taira’.

【What’s not included in the tour】
The following items are not included in the tour price:
• Transportation to the reception and meeting points.
• Parking fees (Please note there is no dedicated parking for tour participants).
• Rain gear, such as umbrellas or raincoats, in case of rain (rentals are not available).
• Personal expenses, such as for souvenirs, etc.

【Important Information for Tour Participants】

* Tour Operator: This tour is operated by “AWESOME TOURS”. Please be aware of other tours that may imitate our name or schedule.

* Contact Information: For any tour inquiries, please do not contact the shukubo temples. Be sure to contact us by email at (info@awesome-tours.com).

* Participant Requirements:

* The minimum age for this tour is 6 years old.

* This tour involves walking a minimum of 3 km on dark, uneven paths with steps. It is suitable only for able-bodied walkers with a good level of fitness.

* For safety reasons, participation with strollers, wheelchairs, or while wearing yukata is strictly prohibited.

* For Guests Staying at Renge-in Temple: Due to the temple’s curfew and bathing hours, guests staying at Renge-in cannot participate in this tour.

* Parking: There is no dedicated parking for tour participants

【What to Bring (Required)】

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: Please be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes like sneakers. You will be walking on stone paths, dirt trails, and stairs. Sandals or shoes with heels are extremely dangerous and not permitted.

• Warm Clothing: The evenings in Koyasan can be cool, even in summer, and quite cold in other seasons. We strongly recommend bringing an extra layer of clothing, like a jacket or sweater, to adjust to the temperature.

【Recommended Items】

• Rain Gear: If rain is expected, please bring an umbrella or raincoat. We do not have any available for rent.
• Drinking Water: Please bring your own if you think you will need it.
• Insect Repellent (in summer): Recommended if you are concerned about insects.

【What You Don’t Need】

• Flashlights / Torches: Our guide will illuminate the path for safety. Personal flashlights are not necessary and the strong light can disturb the tranquil atmosphere and the experience for other guests.