Day 3: Koya San’s Ancient Forests

We begin the day with a quiet walk through the towering old-growth forest of Okunoin, Japan’s most sacred cemetery and a spiritual sanctuary blanketed in cedar and stillness. Moss-covered gravestones, prayer offerings, and ancient lanterns line the path—a moving tribute to centuries of devotion and impermanence.

The entire day is devoted to exploring the sacred sites of Koya-San, the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism and Japan’s holiest mountain. We’ll visit active temples, walk prayer-lined paths, and witness the gentle rituals that shape monastic life high above the world below.

For many, today may become the most meaningful part of the journey—not just witnessing a preserved spiritual tradition, but stepping into it. Surrounded by forest shrines, monks in prayer, and the hush of mountain air, we don’t just observe—we participate.