Danjo Garan, one of Koyasan's holiest sites, is made up of 20 different structures, from pagodas to Shinto torii gates.
Danjo Garan —
Danjo Garan, one of Koyasan's holiest sites, is made up of 20 different structures, from pagodas to Shinto torii gates.
Wakayama Tourism
The walk to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum is filled with more than 200,000 gravestones, monuments and memorials (no bodies are buried here), all sharing space with moss-covered Shinto torii gates and thick forest.
Okunoin —
The walk to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum is filled with more than 200,000 gravestones, monuments and memorials (no bodies are buried here), all sharing space with moss-covered Shinto torii gates and thick forest.
Karla Cripps/CNN
Shojin ryori meals contain no meat or animal products. Strong smelling vegetables such as spring onion and garlic are off limits, too. Prepared by the right chef, however, the food is delicious.
Shojin ryori —
Shojin ryori meals contain no meat or animal products. Strong smelling vegetables such as spring onion and garlic are off limits, too. Prepared by the right chef, however, the food is delicious.
Wakayama Tourism
This two-story pagoda is part of the sacred Danjo Garan site. In the 9th century, Koyasan was founded on this very ground. At the time, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony then dedicated his life to the construction of Danjo Garan.
Danjo Garan —
This two-story pagoda is part of the sacred Danjo Garan site. In the 9th century, Koyasan was founded on this very ground. At the time, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony then dedicated his life to the construction of Danjo Garan.
Karla Cripps/CNN
The Okunoin graveyard has monuments to historic figures, war heroes, royalty, business leaders, children and even pets. Devotees can add their own memorial to the site for a fee.
A monument for everyone —
The Okunoin graveyard has monuments to historic figures, war heroes, royalty, business leaders, children and even pets. Devotees can add their own memorial to the site for a fee.
Karla Cripps/CNN
Each morning at 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. at this small shrine, meal offerings are prepared for Kobo Daishi Kukai, placed in a covered box and carried up to his mausoleum by masked monks.
Morning offerings —
Each morning at 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. at this small shrine, meal offerings are prepared for Kobo Daishi Kukai, placed in a covered box and carried up to his mausoleum by masked monks.
Karla Cripps/CNN
This adorable Okunoin cemetery statue is wearing makeup. People in need of some beauty come to it to make offerings.
Prayer for makeup gods —
This adorable Okunoin cemetery statue is wearing makeup. People in need of some beauty come to it to make offerings.
Karla Cripps/CNN
Inside the sacred Daito stupa at Danjo Garan (one of the two most sacred sites in Koyasan), Bodhisattvas (Bosatsu), are painted on each pillar.
Danjo Garan —
Inside the sacred Daito stupa at Danjo Garan (one of the two most sacred sites in Koyasan), Bodhisattvas (Bosatsu), are painted on each pillar.
Karla Cripps/CNN
Kongobuji Temple is the headquarters for Shingon Buddhism, which has more than 4,000 temples and missions throughout Japan and overseas.
Kongobuji Temple —
Kongobuji Temple is the headquarters for Shingon Buddhism, which has more than 4,000 temples and missions throughout Japan and overseas.
Wakayama Tourism
Japan's largest rock garden, Banryutei, sits in the inner courtyard at Koyasan's Kongobuji Temple. The rock garden was completed in 1984.
Japan's biggest rock garden —
Japan's largest rock garden, Banryutei, sits in the inner courtyard at Koyasan's Kongobuji Temple. The rock garden was completed in 1984.
Karla Cripps/CNN