Koya Kaido

Koya Kaido

Above Kamuro

In the ancient road system, because Mt. Koya was of such importance, one of the few existing roads, the "Koya Kaido", ran up to the holy mountain. It was regularly maintained, and "honjin" or post inns were built along the way, to supply travellers with all that they might need, a change of sandal for the low, porters for the high, and lodging for all; of course at a price. Several spurs of the the Koya Kaido came down from the Miyako (Kyoto) and Naniwa (Osaka), crossed the Ise Kaido and the Kii river, and thence up to the mountains. The picture here is above Kamuro where the road has just left the river and started to climb through the fields. Soon it will come upon Karukayado, a temple where the remains of a mermaid are enshrined.

Koya Mountains

Having left the riverine lowlands, the Koya Kaido climbs up and through peaks that tower 800 meters or more. Only by leaving the secular world of the lowlands, could a true Buddhist practice ascesis, and contemplate the hidden meaning to be found in the doctrine of esoteric, or "Shingon" Buddhism. With this thought in mind, in the early 9th century, Kukai sought out the heights, and established the monastic community at the top.

Benten Gake Shrine

The monastic community of Mt. Koya sits atop flat Mt. Koya. One of its peaks, over which pilgrims had to climb formerly, was Benten Gake, or Benten peak. On this peak sits a shrine to Benten.

Towards the Daimon

Coming down from Benten Gake pilgrims walk through dozens of torii gates, erected through the donations of the hundreds who wished to thereby gain merit. This torii covered path eventually leads to the Daimon, or "great gate" of Koya; at which point pilgrims knew they had arrived at Kukai's refuge and holy retreat.

	Above Kamuro
In the ancient road system, because Mt. Koya was of such importance, one of the few existing roads, the "Koya Kaido", ran up to the holy mountain. It was regularly maintained, and "honjin" or post inns were built along the way, to supply travellers with all that they might need, a change of sandal for the low, porters for the high, and lodging for all; of course at a price. Several spurs of the the Koya Kaido came down from the Miyako (Kyoto) and Naniwa (Osaka), crossed the Ise Kaido and the Kii river, and thence up to the mountains. The picture here is above Kamuro where the road has just left the river and started to climb through the fields. Soon it will come upon Karukayado, a temple where the remains of a mermaid are enshrined.
	Koya Mountains
Having left the riverine lowlands, the Koya Kaido climbs up and through peaks that tower 800 meters or more. Only by leaving the secular world of the lowlands, could a true Buddhist practice ascesis, and contemplate the hidden meaning to be found in the doctrine of esoteric, or "Shingon" Buddhism. With this thought in mind, in the early 9th century, Kukai sought out the heights, and established the monastic community at the top.
	Benten Gake Shrine
The monastic community of Mt. Koya sits atop flat Mt. Koya. One of its peaks, over which pilgrims had to climb formerly, was Benten Gake, or Benten peak. On this peak sits a shrine to Benten.
	Towards the Daimon
Coming down from Benten Gake pilgrims walk through dozens of torii gates, erected through the donations of the hundreds who wished to thereby gain merit. This torii covered path eventually leads to the Daimon, or "great gate" of Koya; at which point pilgrims knew they had arrived at Kukai's refuge and holy retreat.