Garan Sacred Area

Koyasan’s Danjo Garan temple complex is one of the most revered religious sites in all of Japan. Established by the holy monk Kobo Daishi as an educational center of Buddhist teachings, the site still actively hosts a monastic school and worshippers. It features eight impeccably photogenic temples and pagodas and several fascinating monuments dedicated to the Buddha and his philosophy. A walking tour of the buildings will reveal the intricacies of Japanese architecture. Also, many stories of the history of Garan Sacred Area unravel here.

Perhaps the most famous one of the eight buildings in the Garan Sacred Area is Konpon Daito. It is a vermillion pagoda that soars 45 meters from the ground. It steals the hearts of visitors with its picture-perfect appearance. With the entire site modeled after a mandala, a meditative object or guide common in Buddhist practice, Konpon Daito is the center. 

A few yards away is another highlight among travelers, the Kondo also referred to as the Golden Hall. It shelters Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine. Although the actual statue is away from sight, you will get to observe the mandalas and paintings of Bodhisattvas adorning the walls. Myo shrine is also a worthy structure, fascinating viewers not with its humble appearance but with its symbolic significance. Beyond being one of the few Shinto sites in the area, it is home to the impressive pictures of a female mountain goddess and her hunter son. The peace and quiet of Garan seem to escalate even more in this particular temple.