Home > Tour & Hiking Courses > Koya Nanakuchi Nyonindo-ato, Koya Sanzan-meguri Hiking Course
Koya Nanakuchi Nyonindo-ato (Former Sites of the Women’s Halls at the Seven Approaches to Koyasan), Koya Sanzan-meguri (Trail Connecting the Three Peaks of Koyasan)
Koya sanzan route & Women pilgrimage route
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Koyasan sights are much more than just temples.
Once a pilgrimage route, there is also a hiking course rich in nature and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The view from the mountaintops is spectacular! Some are introduced here.
The frontal approach to Dake Benten Shrine leads from the Daimon Gate, and the rear approach as the Nyonin-michi (Women’s Trail) leads from the Nyonindo (Women’s Hall). These trails are well-managed.
The seven trails leading to Koyasan, called the Koya Nanakuchi-kaido, were frequented by pilgrims, and are now a popular hiking route. The trails are registered as World Heritage Sites along with the Koyasan Choishi-michi and Kumano Kodo Kohechi pilgrimage trails, and each course can be enjoyed during a single day’s hike. Take a hike along an ancient trail full of nature and history.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Ryujin-guchi (Ryujin Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). Ryujin-guchi marks the point where the Kumano pilgrimage trail “Nakahechi” forks northward and connects with Ryujin-michi Trail, which runs to Koyasan via Ryujin, Arida, and Yukawa.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Daimon-guchi (Daimon Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). Daimon-guchi is connected with Koyasan Choishi-michi Trail, and marks the entranceway of the frontal-approach pilgrimage trail that was most commonly used.
This is one of the women’s halls that were built at the terminal points of the seven pilgrimage trails leading to Koyasan before the prohibition on women entering Koyasan was lifted in 1872. Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo is the only women’s hall at the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan) still in existence today. The Fudozaka trail was the most commonly used pilgrimage trail among persons traveling to Koyasan from Kyoto or Osaka via Kyo Osaka-michi (Koya-kaido) Road.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Otaki-guchi (Otaki Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). It marks the starting point of “Kohechi,” one of the Kumano pilgrimage trails, and it leads to Koyasan from Kumano via Otaki.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Omine-guchi (Omine Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). This leads to Koyasan from Mt. Sanjogatake in the Omine Mountain Range via Dorogawa and Tenkawamura-Sakamoto. This route served as a commonly used pilgrimage road to Koyasan from Yoshino-Omine since ancient times.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Kuroko-guchi (Kuroko Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). It marks the entranceway of Kuroko-michi Trail, which runs to Koyasan from Nara via Yamato-kaido Road, Kiyomizu, and then Nikenchaya. Kuroko-michi Trail is sometimes referred to as “Taiko-michi (path of the ‘Retired Regent,’ Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s honorific title” because it is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi once rode a horse down this path.
This is the former site of the women’s hall located at “Ainoura-guchi (Ainoura Approach),” one of the Koya Nanakuchi (Seven Approaches to Koyasan). Ainoura-guchi marks a route to Koyasan from Ryujin and Arida via the Japanese umbrella-pine producing area Ainoura, that has been used as a route for the transportation of goods since the late Edo period.
This peak has an elevation of 1,008.5 meters. The “Willow Bodhisattva (Yoryu Kannon),” which holds a willow branch in one hand, is enshrined at the summit. This bodhisattva is also referred to as the “Medicine King,” and is believed to have healing powers.
This peak has an elevation of 1,004.0 meters. It is said that Kobo-Daishi Kukai buried a Cintamani stone (a wish-fulfilling jewel) at the summit, and the dragon god Ryujin protects it.
This peak has an elevation of 915.0 meters. At the summit there is a shrine honoring the bodhisattva Maitreya. It is said that Kobo-Daishi Kukai buried the sword of the deity Acala (a treasured sword) at Mt. Tenjiku Peak. There is also an anecdote that “Rishukyo” Buddhism scripture was also buried here but decayed so that only their gilt-bronze scroll centers remain, and this is thought to be the basis for the Japanese name of this peak.
