A return to nature and quest for enlightenment in one — taking a pilgrimage to Mount Koya and its many temples is a must for anyone at all interested in Japanese Buddhism. The mountain was singled out by the founder of Shingon Buddhism, a man by the name of Kobo Daisho, as the home for his sect in the 9th century.
Nowadays, over 100 temples have sprung up on the mountain, and it remains a magnet for the pious from around Japan. More than half of these temples offer overnight stays for visitors, giving you the chance to get intimately involved with temple life.
Whether you plan on staying or not, walking around the mountain trails is the best way to discover all of the hidden sectors Koya-san has to offer. Start off at Okunoin Cemetery - where Kobo Daisha himself is entombed - and onwards to Torodo Hall with its thousand lanterns, finishing with a visit to the head temple: Kongobuji. 
If seeing the resident monks of the mountain go about their business has you itching to find some inner peace of your own, then you can also try your hand at various traditional crafts and activities in many of the minor temples in the complex. Discovering how to meditate directly from a real Japanese monk sure beats learning it from some guy on YouTube!

回归自然与追求觉悟合二为一--朝圣高野山及其众多寺庙是任何对日本佛教感兴趣的人的必修课。公元 9 世纪，真言宗创始人弘法大师将这座山选作其教派的发源地。
如今，山上涌现出 100 多座寺庙，吸引着来自日本各地的虔诚信徒。半数以上的寺庙为游客提供过夜服务，让您有机会亲身体验寺庙生活。
无论您是否打算住宿，漫步山间小径都是探索高野山所有隐秘景点的最佳方式。您可以从弘法大师本人的墓地奥野院开始，前往挂有千盏灯笼的鸟堂，最后参观本寺：金刚宝寺。 
如果看到山上的僧侣们忙碌的身影，您也会渴望找到内心的宁静，那么您还可以在寺庙群中的许多小寺庙里体验各种传统手工艺和活动。直接从真正的日本僧侣那里学习如何打坐，肯定比从 YouTube 上的某个人那里学习要好得多！

在高野山的山坡上寻找内心的宁静，高野山是一座灵山胜地，由 100 多个单独的礼拜场所组成的寺庙小镇非常繁荣。          

高野山 指南 | 和歌山

高野山

由 100 多个单独的礼拜场所组成的繁荣寺庙小镇，是一个精神的山间度假胜地！

迴歸自然與追求覺悟合二爲一--朝聖高野山及其衆多寺廟是任何對日本佛教感興趣的人的必修課。公元 9 世紀，真言宗創始人弘法大師將這座山選作其教派的發源地。
如今，山上湧現出 100 多座寺廟，吸引着來自日本各地的虔誠信徒。半數以上的寺廟爲遊客提供過夜服務，讓您有機會親身體驗寺廟生活。
無論您是否打算住宿，漫步山間小徑都是探索高野山所有隱祕景點的最佳方式。您可以從弘法大師本人的墓地奧野院開始，前往掛有千盞燈籠的鳥堂，最後參觀本寺：金剛寶寺。 
如果看到山上的僧侶們忙碌的身影，您也會渴望找到內心的寧靜，那麼您還可以在寺廟羣中的許多小寺廟裏體驗各種傳統手工藝和活動。直接從真正的日本僧侶那裏學習如何打坐，肯定比從 YouTube 上的某個人那裏學習要好得多！

在高野山的山坡上尋找內心的寧靜，高野山是一座靈山勝地，由 100 多個單獨的禮拜場所組成的寺廟小鎮非常繁榮。          

由 100 多個單獨的禮拜場所組成的繁榮寺廟小鎮，是一個精神的山間度假勝地！

Find inner peace on the slopes of Mt. Koya, a spiritual mountain retreat with a thriving temple town, made up of over 100 individual places of worship.          

Mount Koya  Guide | Wakayama

Mount Koya 

Located south of Osaka, covering the tip of the Kii Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture is little known to overseas tourists, despite holding some of the holiest sites, best beaches, and most mouthwatering food in Kansai — no mean feat when up against regional heavyweights including Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe!

Wakayama City is the capital, famous for its castle and top-class local style of ramen noodles: tonkotsu-joyu. Further down the coast you’ll find the top onsen town of Shirahama, which boasts some fantastic baths looking out over the ocean, and a sheer white beach with sand imported from Australia!

While good time beach vibes are a major draw of Wakayama, the mountains at the center of the prefecture take on a very different tone. Here you’ll find Mt Kōya, one of the holiest sites in the country. Chosen as the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism in the 9th century, the mountain became a site of huge religious importance. Nowadays over one hundred active temples have sprung up around the main complex, with over half offering overnight stays for tourists!

This means you can sample the life of a Buddhist monk for yourself by sleeping in a temple, trying your hand at some traditional arts like calligraphy, and even sampling some of the traditional vegetarian cuisine which fuels the prayers of the abbots and acolytes: Shojin Ryori. 

So, no matter if you’re in a group of beach bunnies or budding Buddhists, Wakayama has more than enough to please.

和歌山县位于大阪以南，纪伊半岛的顶端，虽然拥有关西最神圣的景点、最美丽的海滩和最令人垂涎的美食，但却鲜为海外游客所知！

和歌山市是关西的首府，以城堡和一流的当地拉面而闻名。再往海岸走，您会发现顶级温泉小镇白滨（Shirahama），这里有一些可以眺望大海的梦幻浴场，还有一片纯白的沙滩，沙滩的沙子是从澳大利亚进口的！

和歌山的一大特色是海滩风光，而位于县中心的群山则截然不同。这里的光谷山是日本最神圣的景点之一。 这座山在 9 世纪被选为真言宗的精神家园，成为一个具有重要宗教意义的场所。如今，在主建筑群周围涌现出一百多座活跃的寺庙，其中一半以上为游客提供过夜服务！

这意味着您可以在寺庙里过夜，亲自体验佛教僧侣的生活，尝试书法等传统艺术，甚至还可以品尝一些传统素食，这些都是住持和信徒们祈祷的动力：Shojin Ryori。 

因此，无论您是一群沙滩兔，还是一群崭露头角的佛教徒，和歌山都能让您满意。

和歌山县拥有丰富的传统佛教文化、日本最好的海滩之一以及最美味的食物，可谓应有尽有。

发现和歌山 by美食 | 餐厅, 体验, 旅游攻略

和歌山

日本餐桌礼仪

外出就餐的日语用语

虚拟日本之旅的旅行视频

和歌山美食

无论您是想体验热带海滩生活还是传统寺庙生活，这个多元化的县都能满足您的需求。

和歌山縣位於大阪以南，紀伊半島的頂端，雖然擁有關西最神聖的景點、最美麗的海灘和最令人垂涎的美食，但卻鮮爲海外遊客所知！

和歌山市是關西的首府，以城堡和一流的當地拉麪而聞名。再往海岸走，您會發現頂級溫泉小鎮白濱（Shirahama），這裏有一些可以眺望大海的夢幻浴場，還有一片純白的沙灘，沙灘的沙子是從澳大利亞進口的！

和歌山的一大特色是海灘風光，而位於縣中心的羣山則截然不同。這裏的光谷山是日本最神聖的景點之一。 這座山在 9 世紀被選爲真言宗的精神家園，成爲一個具有重要宗教意義的場所。如今，在主建築羣周圍湧現出一百多座活躍的寺廟，其中一半以上爲遊客提供過夜服務！

這意味着您可以在寺廟裏過夜，親自體驗佛教僧侶的生活，嘗試書法等傳統藝術，甚至還可以品嚐一些傳統素食，這些都是住持和信徒們祈禱的動力：Shojin Ryori。 

因此，無論您是一羣沙灘兔，還是一羣嶄露頭角的佛教徒，和歌山都能讓您滿意。

和歌山縣擁有豐富的傳統佛教文化、日本最好的海灘之一以及最美味的食物，可謂應有盡有。

發現和歌山 by美食 | 餐廳, 體驗, 旅遊攻略

日本餐桌禮儀

外出就餐的日語用語

虛擬日本之旅的旅行視頻

無論您是想體驗熱帶海灘生活還是傳統寺廟生活，這個多元化的縣都能滿足您的需求。

Traveling to Wakayama? Check out our Wakayama travel guide for tried and tested travel tips, activities to do in the prefecture and more.

Wakayama Travel Guide: Travel Tips, Activities & More

Wakayama

Japanese Table Manners

Japanese Phrases for Dining Out

Travel Videos for a Virtual Japan Trip

What to Eat in Wakayama

Whether you want a taste of tropical beach life, or traditional temple life, this diverse prefecture has you covered.

A spiritual mountain retreat with a thriving temple town, made up of over 100 individual places of worship!

无麸质

無麩質

Gluten-free

全素选择

純素選擇

Vegan

蛋奶素选择

蛋奶素選擇

Vegetarian

鱼素选择

魚素選擇

Pescetarian

允许轮椅

允許輪椅

Wheelchair Accessible

允许婴儿推车

允許嬰兒推車

Stroller Accessible

亲子友好

親子友好

Family-friendly

宠物友好

寵物友好

Pet-friendly

Embark on a journey that connects you to centuries of tradition at the 1200-year-old Ekoin Temple in Koyasan Mountain, Wakayama Prefecture. The temple's ancient and whimsical atmosphere is the perfect setting for this unique experience. You'll taste an authentic shojin ryori lunch and partake in a private goma fire prayer ritual as you dive deep into esoteric Buddhism's rich cultural heritage.

Centuries-old shojin ryori are traditional meals that Buddhist monks eat. Nourishing and balanced, these meals are prepared with plenty of wild vegetables and hearty legumes and are completely free of animal products, making them naturally vegetarian and vegan. A gluten-free option can also be prepared upon prior request. Indulge in this unique dining experience by savoring your beautifully presented shojin ryori meal in a traditional room overlooking the verdant temple garden.

You'll also attend a private traditional goma fire prayer ritual. This captivating, deeply spiritual ritual begins with writing your wishes on wooden prayer tablets, which monks will burn into open flames. Prayer tablets represent human desires, while the flames are believed to embody Buddha's wisdom. Flames can sometimes reach a few meters high in this spiritually moving and visually striking experience.

This experience allows you to get a rare glimpse into the daily life of monks, from their rituals to their cuisine, at the heart of one of Japan's premier Buddhist hubs, Koyasan, nestled in the pristine forested mountains of Wakayama.

Delve into Buddhist history and cuisine in this private experience in the ancient Ekoin Temple in Koyasan, Wakayama. Taste authentic vegetarian Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) and experience a goma fire prayer ritual performed by monks.

This private experience in Ekoin Temple in Koyasan, Wayakayama, includes a traditional shojin ryori Buddhist meal and experiencing a goma fire prayer ritual performed by monks.

Wakayama: Fire Prayer & Lunch in a 1200-Year-Old Temple

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Wakayama: Fire Prayer & Lunch in a 1,200-Year-Old Temple

Immersed in the serene forested mountains of Koyasan, Wakayama, stands a peaceful temple with over 1,200 years of history. Enshrining the Buddhist deities of Amida-Nyorai and Bishamonten, Enkoin Temple sets the scene for a unique private experience that includes a shojin ryori lunch and ajikan meditation guided by monks.

Traditional Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) typically includes wild vegetables and hearty legumes and is completely free of animal products, making it vegetarian and vegan. These visually captivating dishes are crafted with special care to create a delicate assortment of colors and textures without overpowering flavors. Delight in your beautifully presented shojin ryori meal in a traditional space overlooking the lush temple garden. A gluten-free option can also be prepared upon prior request. 

Additionally, participants will engage in a 40-minute private ajikan meditation, an ancient esoteric Buddhist practice led by monks that welcomes individuals of all faiths. Even those new to meditation can rest assured, as no previous experience is required. A friendly English-speaking guide will also participate to ensure a comfortable experience. 

Revitalize both body and spirit by exploring Buddhist culinary traditions and customs in this experience in Wakayama, a tranquil haven for travelers seeking out the ancient wonders of Japan near Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.

Restore body and mind in this spiritual experience in Ekoin, a temple with over 1,200 years of history in the lush forests of Koyasan, Wakayama, where you can savor a vegan Buddhist lunch and participate in a traditional meditation guided by monks.

Delve into Buddhist traditions and cuisine in Ekoin Temple, in the lush forests of Koyasan, Wakayama, where you’ll experience a private meditation and a shojin ryori traditional lunch.

Wakayama: Meditation & Lunch in a 1200-Year-Old Temple

Wakayama: Meditation & Lunch in a 1,200-Year-Old Temple

Delve into centuries of culinary traditions in Ekoin, a Buddhist temple nestled amidst the lush mountains of Koyasan, Wakayama. With a mesmerizing history spanning over 1,200 years, this revered temple, enshrining Buddhist deities of Amida-Nyorai and Bishamonten, provides the setting for a unique lunch experience where you can sample traditional Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori). 

Gaze out at the peaceful, lush temple garden as you prepare for a meal unlike any other. The feast that awaits you is a testament to the time-honored art of shojin ryori. Known for its extensive use of fresh ingredients like vegetables, seaweed, legumes and tofu, this cuisine is free of animal products, making it vegetarian and vegan. Traditionally, five cooking methods, five flavors and five colors are used to create a harmonious and delicious meal consisting of several dishes.

Let your senses be enveloped by a captivating shojin ryori feast, artfully presented to blend colors, flavors and textures. You'll enjoy your meal in a traditional space overlooking the temple garden as your host explains the food contents in English to deepen your understanding of this culinary tradition. A gluten-free option can also be prepared upon prior request (see Options below).

Immerse yourself in ancient Japanese food traditions in this shojin ryori lunch in Ekoin Temple, Wakayama, where you can connect to a traditional culinary heritage and bask in the temple's serene surroundings.

Enjoy a vegan Buddhist lunch in Ekoin, a temple with over 1,200 years of history in Koyasan, Wakayama. Learn about shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine) and feast on a variety of fresh dishes while overlooking the tranquil temple gardens.

Enjoy a traditional shojin ryori Buddhist lunch at Ekoin, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple in Koyasan, Wakayama. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians (a gluten-free option is also available).

Shojin Ryori Lunch in 1,200-Year-Old Ekoin Temple (Wakayama)

Enjoy a shojin ryori traditional lunch at Ekoin, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple in the forests of Koyasan, Wakayama. Select this option to enjoy a shojin ryori lunch that is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

Shojin Ryori Lunch in 1200-Year-Old Ekoin Temple (Wakayama)

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The archipelago of Japan consists of four main islands, eight regions of Japan, and a total of 47 prefectures between them, each with their own diverse traditions, culture, food, and history. Hokkaido is the main northern island, followed by Honshu (home to Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, and Chugoku), Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Okinawa islands to the southwest.

Discover the unique offerings of each region by checking out the Japan areas above, like the coastal prefecture of Shizuoka (home to hot springs, Mt. Fuji, and a booming agricultural industry) and Nara Prefecture (which boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites). While Japan might be perceived as a tiny country (the archipelago is smaller than the state of California), the nation is diverse in climate and culture. Each area of Japan has its own staple produce and regional Japanese cuisine.

Not only can you explore the popular destinations of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but there are also a variety of other areas in Japan ranging from adventurous spots for daredevils to super-rural areas where visitors can connect with the land and people. From climbing Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka to indulging in matcha tea in Uji to enjoying island life in Okinawa (considered to be Japan’s Hawaii), these Japan areas each offer diverse experiences and ample opportunity for exploration. To make your Japan travel planning a little easier, browse these area pages where you can discover Japan tourist attractions, Japanese food experiences, and more!

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Delve into Japanese food culture, discovering the distinctive and diverse range of Japanese dishes which are sometimes sophisticated, sometimes hearty and comforting, but always delicious. These Japanese foods offer a window into the world of “washoku” (Japanese cuisine), which made UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013.	


There’s worldwide appreciation for Japanese food, with Tokyo boasting the world’s highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants for the 12th year in a row in 2019. Not only is Japan home to some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world, but the Japanese cuisine (“washoku”) is also celebrated as one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritages. The main staples of Japanese food include rice (in various forms from steamed white rice to mochi), soy products (tofu, soy sauce, miso soup, natto), fish (sashimi, bonito flakes, grilled salmon), seaweed (kombu, nori, wakame), noodles (soba, udon, ramen), and tsukemono (Japanese pickles). Different regions of Japan also have their own specialty foods. Osaka, considered “The Nation’s Kitchen” is the birthplace of takoyaki, Kyoto is famous for tofu and yuba, and Okinawa is known for goya champuru (bittermelon stir fry). Many regions in Japan have their own special twists on dishes like Japanese ramen, nabe (hot pot), and ozoni (mochi soup eaten on New Year’s Day). Explore the Japanese foods above and learn about the diversity of Japanese cuisine, then perhaps you can join a food experience and learn to make Japanese food during a cooking class, become an expert on Japanese sake or tea during a tasting experience, or discover your new favorite type of ramen during a ramen tour. The landscape of Japanese food is evolving, so eating in Japan is always an adventure, with restaurants and chefs riffing on traditional and modern foods, Eastern and Western cooking styles and flavors, and creating inventive eats like chocolate ramen, matcha beer, or ridiculously pillowy Japanese pancakes. Discover your new favorite Japanese food here on byFood and delve deeper into Japanese food culture.

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传统日式料理/怀石料理/割烹料理

傳統日式料理/懷石料理/割烹料理

Traditional Japanese / Kaiseki / Kappo

Nestled in the heart of Koyasan, Maruman offers a delightful blend of Japanese and cafeteria-style dining. This award-winning restaurant has become a culinary destination for tourists and locals alike, celebrated for its authentic taste of traditional Koyasan cuisine.

Maruman's menu highlights include the famed katsu curry, offering a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of classic cafeterias. The lightly fried pork cutlet adds a crispy touch to the rich and spicy curry sauce, making it a favorite among visitors. For those seeking variety, the restaurant's diverse menu also features Shōjin Ryori, the vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, which showcases local ingredients like Koya tofu and goma-dofu (sesame tofu) in creative preparations.

Conveniently located near popular landmarks and close to bus stop 6, Maruman serves as an ideal lunch spot amidst a day of sightseeing. The restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere is perfect for both casual outings and more significant gatherings.

The service at Maruman is noteworthy, with staff known for their efficiency and attentive care, making every guest feel welcome. The use of English menus ensures an accommodating experience for international travelers exploring Koyasan.

The restaurant's simple decor reflects the serene surroundings of Koyasan, emphasizing comfort and tradition. Maruman's dedication to quality and experience ensures it remains a go-to location for a memorable dining experience, truly capturing the essence of Japanese hospitality.

Maruman in Koyasan offers authentic Japanese Cuisine and a cozy cafeteria vibe. Known for its katsu curry and Shōjin Ryori, it's a perfect spot near major landmarks for delightful meals.

Find a table at Maruman in Wakayama. Reserve on byFood and dine with ease; no Japanese needed! See business hours, access information and more.

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