Osaka in One Day: Tour Danjo Garan — Guide Yuki

April, 2025

This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 6:40　Meet at Hotel Granvia
  • 6:40　Move from Osaka Station to Shin-Imamiya Station
  • 7:17-9:12　Move from Shin-Imamiya to Koyasan
  • 9:17-10:20　Move to Daishi Kyokai by bus, receive the precepts
  • 10:00-11:35　Tour Danjo Garan
  • 11:35-12:15　Move to restaurant (lunch)
  • 12:15-12:30　Stroll around Okunoin while waiting for the bus
  • 12:35-13:40　Stroll around Nakanohashi at Okunoin
  • 13:45-14:00　Buy souvenirs
  • 14:00-15:10　Tour Kongobuji
  • 15:15-15:40 Move to Koyasan Station, enjoy the scenery from the 2nd floor and look at the treasure magazine of the Reihokan
  • 15:46-17:58 Move to Osaka Station by train
  • 18:00　Disband

Title: What Is a Private Guided Day Tour of Koyasan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The tour was scheduled to depart at 7:00, but since we met in the hotel lobby at 6:40, we headed to the station early. Through our email exchanges, I learned that the guests wanted to experience the Jukai precept ceremony and sutra copying at the Daishi Kyokai. However, since sutra copying takes at least an hour, they decided to do only the Jukai ceremony. While waiting at the reception, I explained the method of sutra copying and gave them the sutra copying paper and pens. They were very keen on learning about Koyasan and esoteric Buddhism, and it seemed they had been studying Japanese culture through books. Especially at Okunoin, they took many photos with both their smartphones and a single-lens reflex camera. They also collected goshuin stamps at various spots, and at the souvenir shop they bought prayer beads, joking that they would become Buddhists. The schedule was a little tight, but since they had come all this way, we also visited Kongobuji Temple and delayed the return train later than planned. As they did not want to buy reserved seats, we spent some time on the second floor of Koyasan Station looking at magazines about the Reihokan museum, and returned on the Limited Express Tenku, which has non-reserved seating.

Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainOsaka～Shin-Imamiya200JPY
Section 2TrainShin-Imamiya～Koyasan3,540JPY
Section 3TrainShin-Imamiya～Osaka200JPY
Total3,940JPY

Tour Report by Yuki

Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.

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