Wakayama in Half a Day: Stay at the Garan — Guide Yuki

November, 2024

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

  • 9:43 Meet at Koyasan Station
  • 9:47~10:00 Move to Daimon by Sanai Bus, 360 yen
  • 10:30~11:40 Stay at the Garan
  • 11:40~12:40 Stay at Kongobuji Temple
  • 12:50~13:00 Move to the restaurant in front of Okunoin by Sanai Bus, 270 yen
  • 13:00~13:40 Stay at Restaurant Hachiyo
  • 13:40~15:05 Stay at Okunoin
  • 15:05~15:30 Move to Koyasan Station by Sanai Bus, 610 yen
  • 17:00 Accompany to Hashimoto Station, confirm the train bound for Namba, and disband

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

We met smoothly at Koyasan Station and took a bus to Daimon Gate. On the bus, the guests told me they had come to Koyasan after traveling the Kumano Kodo, and shared some background about their connection to Japan. After seeing Daimon Gate, we walked to the Garan complex. The guests seemed to enjoy walking, and we savored the townscape of Koyasan while stopping at temples to view the gardens. The autumn foliage was at its peak today, and they took many photos while enjoying the red of the maples and the yellow of the ginkgo trees. In front of Daimon Gate and the Konpon Daito pagoda, I also took photos of the guests. Although it was a four-hour tour, since they had taken the time to come all the way to Koyasan, we also visited Kongobuji Temple and went around Okunoin, finishing at 3:00 p.m. At that point, if we had headed back, they would have been able to return to Osaka by 5:00 p.m. However, due to the effects of a railway accident involving a person, the train was delayed, and we arrived at Hashimoto at 5:00 p.m., about an hour behind schedule. On the return train, the guests showed me photos on their smartphone of places they had traveled to in Japan so far.

Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusKoyasan Station～Daimon360JPY
Section 2BusIn front of Kongobuji Temple～In front of Okunoin270JPY
Section 3BusIn front of Okunoin～Koyasan Station610JPY
Total1,240JPY

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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