Journeys in Japan — Season 1, Episode 35: Koyasan, Wakayama: A Temple Stay to Recharge

Episode synopsis

This week on "journeys in japan" we visit Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture. It's an ancient Buddhist sanctuary, far removed from the secular world. More than 1000 priests, engaged in daily ascetic practices, reside in the mountain hamlet. There are 117 temples in Koyasan, but the whole complex is regarded as one big temple for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Koyasan was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2004. It draws more than 1 million tourists every year. Our reporter JJ has been in Japan for 10 years, but this will be his first time to stay at a temple. JJ, like others, is on a spiritual journey to experience the Koyasan way of life, and perhaps even encounter a few things to incorporate in life at home. (Excerpt)

About Journeys in Japan

Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Fukuoka City, Fukuoka: Rediscovering Asia in Fukuoka
• E2Toyama City, Toyama
• E3Furano, Hokkaido: Traversing Snowy Furano by Dog Sled
• E4Naoshima, Kagawa: Island of Art
• E5Kamakura, Kanagawa: Discovering Japan's Samurai Spirit
• E6Tsukuba, Ibaraki: A City with State-of-the-Art Technology
• E7Oshino Village, Yamanashi: Living Close to Mt. Fuji
• E8Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori: Land of Majestic Dunes
• E9Northern Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka: Suruga Bay's Bountiful Nature
• E10Toyokawa, Aichi
• E11Himeji, Hyogo
• E12Naruto, Tokushima