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THE ROAD TO KOYASAN Tour

From $986

KYOTO - UJI - NARA - KOYA-SAN - KANSAI INTL AIRPORT

Le Mont Koya sous la neige

Nara au printemps

Nara

Uji

L'aéroport du Kansai

Strengths

+ An introduction to Japan's mysterious ninja
+ Visit Nara, the ancient capital, and its many treasures
+ Spend a night in a temple on Mount Koya and try the traditional Buddhist monk lifestyle

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The tour
Activities
Hotels
Detailed Itinerary
Good to Know
Opinions

The tour

Duration : 4 days

Take the spiritual path where monks, samurai and ninja used once walked.

Number of stops : 4

Included :
- The car rental
- Drivin' Assistance
- The accommodation and meals stated.

This price is based on a group of two people traveling together (not per person).

Not included :
- Flights
- Any meals not mentioned
- Visit and entry fees to tourist sites
- Personal expenses
- Insurance

Departure month :

Price : $986

Activities

- Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan and its former capital, and a landmark for the arts, spirituality, and great food.

- Uji is a small city situated between Kyoto and Nara, two of Japan's most famous historical and cultural centers. It's particularly famous for its green tea.

- Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the center of Shingon Buddhism, and therefore one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at a temple lodging (shukubo) where you can get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) and attending the morning prayers. See the "Good to know" section for more information about shukubo.

Hotels

The accomodation displayed here is indicative. In case of unavailability, a hotel of equivalent standing will be offered by our team.

Nara, day 1 :

Sakuraya Guest House

Mount Koya, day 2 :

Shojoshi-in Temple Lodge

Kansai International Aiport, day 3 :

Kanku Joytel Hotel Kansai Airport

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1	Pick up your rental car at the Nissan Kyoto agency. Depart for Uji and Iga Ueno in the morning. Explore at your leisure. Arrive at your guest house in Nara.	KYOTO, UJI, NARA
Day 2	Breakfast at your guest house in Nara. Explore Nara. Depart for Mount Koya. Temple lodging at Mount Koya with dinner provided.	KOYA-SAN
Day 3	Breakfast at your accomodation. Explore Mount Koya. Depart for Kansai International Airport and return your car at the agency. Arrive at your hotel near Kansai International Airport.* * optional stay depending on your return flight.	KANSAI INTL AIRPORT
Day 4	Breakfast at your hotel in Kansai International Airport. * * optional depending on your return flight.

Good to Know

[Information about Shukubo]

=What is a Shukubo?= 

A shukubo (temple/shrine lodging) is originally a type of accommodation reserved for worshipers to study, pray and retreat. Nowadays, more shukubo are welcoming tourists for stays, and they offer services including unique cultural experiences at some temples and shrines. Since it is still an important religious place, it's important to note the following special rules:

Rooms
 As the rooms are located inside the temples and shrines, they have a very simple layout. In most cases they have wooden frames, and paper sliding doors are used to separate the rooms - which cannot be locked by keys. Also, each room does not have its own bathroom and toilet, and many shukubo do not have air conditioners either. In some shukubo, futon (bedding) are laid on the floor before your check-in.

Shared bathrooms
 Although some shukubo have shared bathrooms, the size is relatively small and you often have specifically designated hours to take a bath. Very often it is not possible to bathe in the morning.

Meals
 Breakfast and dinner are usually provided (although some shukubo only serve breakfast). They mainly offer Shojin-ryori (an organic, vegetarian Japanese cuisine), which does not contain any meat or fish. Special dietary requirements - including allergy free and Halal food - cannot be arranged. Furthermore, many shukubo have scheduled meal times that cannot be changed.

Other 
Please note the following rules, which might differ slightly in each shukubo:
- Unlike hotels, shukubo do not always offer amenities (including towels and toothbrushes). 
- Please do not be loud and do not make loud noises. 
- Many facilities are not easily accessible with wheelchairs. 
- Some shukubo do not allow you to bring huge suitcases. 
- It is prohibited to bring food inside the lodging without permission. 
- You have to get back before curfew and follow time restrictions. 
- Do not enter the main areas of temples and shrines in a yukata. 
- Smoking is prohibited outside of the designated areas 
- If you repeatedly break the rules, you may not able to join in with any programs at the temples/shrines.

Since shukubo lodgings are meant to be training places, they cannot offer high-end services like many hotels and ryokan. Please make sure everyone you travel with is well informed about the things listed above in advance.

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