The Koyasan Choishimichi.
The original approach to Koyasan on foot, and the right way to arrive if the client has the legs for it.
What is the The Koyasan Choishimichi?
The original approach to Koyasan on foot, and the right way to arrive if the client has the legs for it. About 24 km · 180 stone markers · one long day, in Wakayama — Kudoyama up to Koyasan.
Last updated: 6 July 2026
What it actually is.
Before the cable car there was this: a 24 km climb from Jison-in at Kudoyama to the Danjo Garan at the top, marked by 180 stone pillars set one chō apart — roughly every 109 metres — so a pilgrim always knew how far remained. The markers have stood since the 13th century. Walking in, rather than riding up, is the difference between visiting Koyasan and arriving at it.
What an agent needs to know first.
- Inscribed with the Kumano routes in the Kii Mountain Range World Heritage listing.
- One long day: six to eight hours with about 800 m of ascent. It is not technical, but it is a full day and there is nothing to eat along it.
- It pairs naturally with a night in a Koyasan shukubo and Okunoin by lantern the same evening — the walk earns the arrival.
- Clients who cannot walk it lose nothing essential: the cable car takes twenty minutes and Koyasan itself is the point.
One party, one itinerary.
- The full Choishimichi with a guide, luggage sent ahead to the temple lodging
- Shukubo booked at a temple that suits the party, with shojin ryori and the morning goma fire ritual
- Okunoin walked at night, which is when it should be seen
- A shortened variant from Amano or Rokurō-tōge for parties who want the path without the full day
- Osaka or Kansai airport transfers at both ends
When to start.
Six months, driven by the shukubo rather than the path. The best temple lodgings on Koyasan are held a year ahead in the colour season.
SeasonApril to June and October to November. Koyasan sits at 800 m and is genuinely cold from December.
The Koyasan Choishimichi — what agents ask.
What is the The Koyasan Choishimichi?
Before the cable car there was this: a 24 km climb from Jison-in at Kudoyama to the Danjo Garan at the top, marked by 180 stone pillars set one chō apart — roughly every 109 metres — so a pilgrim always knew how far remained. The markers have stood since the 13th century. Walking in, rather than riding up, is the difference between visiting Koyasan and arriving at it.
How long does the The Koyasan Choishimichi take?
About 24 km · 180 stone markers · one long day. Six months, driven by the shukubo rather than the path. The best temple lodgings on Koyasan are held a year ahead in the colour season.
When is the best time to walk it?
April to June and October to November. Koyasan sits at 800 m and is genuinely cold from December.
Does Explera sell this to travellers directly?
No. Explera is a B2B ground operator: we build and run the journey at net rates for a travel agent or tour operator, who keeps the client and the margin. We never market to your client.
The other routes.
The Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage
Around 1,200 km · 88 temples · 40–50 days on foot
The Kumano Kodo
Nakahechi route: about 38 km, 2–4 days walking
Dewa Sanzan
Three mountains · 2,446 stone steps to Haguro's summit
The Nakasendo
69 post towns Edo to Kyoto · the walked section is about 8 km
The Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage
33 temples · the oldest circuit in Japan
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