Okuno-in

Located deep within Mount Kōya of the Ito District in Northern Wakayama is Okuno-in, the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism.  The founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kōbō-Daishi(also known as Kūkai), was laid to rest here and there is therefore, has a solemn quality to the air. To reach the Kōbō-Daishi Gobyō(mausoleum) where Kōbō-Daishi sleeps, visitors must walk on a 2 kilometer path that starts at the Ichinohashi bridge.  On either side of the path are you can see Japanese cedar trees, that are hundreds of years old, and over 20,000 tombstones and memorial markers. From war lords, like Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobunaga, to ordinary peasants, many lay down to rest here for a peaceful rebirth in paradise. The land beyond the Gobyōhashi bridge at the end of the path, is a truly holy place.  Be sure to visit the Kōbō-Daishi Gobyō and the nearby Torodo lantern hall.