The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket by Nankai Railway is a rail pass providing a round trip to Mount Koya by Nankai Railway, unlimited travel on buses on Mount Koya and discounted admission to selected tourist attractions on up to two consecutive days.

Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
TypeDigital ticketPaper ticket
Regular Version (from Namba or Shin-Imamiya)3,140 yen3,540 yen
Limited Express Version (from Namba or Shin-Imamiya)3,690 yen4,090 yen

The map below shows the train (in red), cablecar (in orange) and bus lines (in blue) to be used for the round trip and within the free area of the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket:

Validity

Round trip

  1. The round trip is to be done by a train along the Nankai Koya Line between Osaka and Gokurakubashi at the foot of Mount Koya and by the Koyasan Cablecar between Gokurakubashi Station and Koyasan Station at the top of the mountain.
  2. The "regular version" of the ticket is valid on all trains along the Nankai Koya Line except limited express trains (tokkyu). Ticket holders may ride a limited express by paying the limited express supplement fee of 790 yen one way.
  3. The "limited express version" additionally allows the ticket holder to ride a limited express train from Osaka to Gokurakubashi but not in the opposite direction. Ticket holders who wish to ride a limited express back to Osaka, as well, can do so by paying the limited express supplement fee of 790 yen.
  4. You cannot get off and leave a station between your departure station and the free area.

Free area

  1. Unlimited use of buses in the town of Mount Koya.

Other conditions

  1. The ticket is valid on up to two consecutive calendar days.
  2. The ticket provides discounted admission to the Reihokan Museum (200 yen off) and the Kondo Hall (100 yen off) and Daito Pagoda (100 yen off) at the Garan. The paper ticket (but not the digital ticket) also provides discounted admission to the Kongobuji (200 yen off).
  3. The digital ticket has to be purchased at least one day before the travel date. It cannot be purchased on the day of travel. The paper ticket, however, can also be purchased on the day of travel.

Points of sale

The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket can be purchased either as a conventional paper ticket or as a digital ticket. Digital tickets are cheaper, but do not include the discount for admission for Kongobuji. Also, unlike paper tickets, digital tickets need to be purchased at least one day in advance of the travel date. Paper tickets can be purchased at ticket counters at railway stations of Nankai Railway, including Namba, Shin-Imamiya and Kansai Airport, while digital tickets can be purchased online through the official website or through travel websites such as Japan Experience, but may incur a service fee.

Assessment

The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is a good deal, as it is likely to come cheaper than regular tickets while also providing convenience. Regular tickets for a round trip by train and bus from Osaka into central Koyasan town cost 3460 yen alone, compared to 3140-3540 yen for the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket. Any additional use of buses on Koyasan and the discounts on admission to selected sightseeing spots make it an even better deal.

Alternative tickets

Depending on your itinerary, a Kansai Railway Pass can be an alternative worth considering, especially if you do extensive travel in the Kansai Region besides your trip to Koyasan or stay on the mountain for more than two days.

Hotels around Mount Koya

Top rated on Mount Koya
Budget:
    • Guest House hachi hachi
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, Guest House hachi hachi is an accommodation situated in Koyasan, 37 km from Kishi Station and 43 km from Matsushita Park. The 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation features full-day security and bicycle parking for guests. At the guest house, each unit includes a desk. The units are equipped with heating facilities. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Wanpaku Park is 45 km from Guest House hachi hachi, while Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore is 46 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 60 km from the accommodation.
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      9.5Booking.com
    • Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu
      Budget-friendly
      Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu is situated in Koyasan, famous as the world headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Property staff will recommend destinations for guests during their travels. Bathroom facilities are shared. Luggage storage is available on site. Bicycle rental is available guest house and the area is popular for hiking. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 41 km from Koyasan Guesthouse Kokuu.
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      9.4Booking.com
    • Koyasan Guest House Tommy
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 38 km of Kishi Station and 45 km of Matsushita Park, Koyasan Guest House Tommy provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Koyasan. Among the facilities at this property are luggage storage space and bicycle parking, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house features family rooms. At the guest house, every unit has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. A fridge and kettle are also provided. The units are equipped with heating facilities. There is a coffee shop on-site. Wanpaku Park is 47 km from the guest house, while Subaru Hall is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 61 km from Koyasan Guest House Tommy.
      View on Booking.com
      9.3Booking.com
    • Guest House Suzumeno Kakurembo
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, Guest House Suzumeno Kakurembo is set in Koyasan, 37 km from Kishi Station and 44 km from Matsushita Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, full-day security and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Jigenin Temple is 47 km from the guest house and Subaru Hall is 48 km away. At the guest house, some units are soundproof. Wanpaku Park is 46 km from the guest house, while Kii Fudoki No Oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore is 46 km away. Kansai International Airport is 60 km from the property.
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      9.1Booking.com
    • Sojiin
      Luxury
      Sojiin, located in the center of Mt. Koya, is a Japanese-style accommodation in a Buddhist temple located to the west of Sohonzan Kongobu-ji and in front of Danjo Garan. For dinner and breakfast, we offer gluten-free vegetarian cuisine. Sojiin is 42 km from Sakai. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 40km from the property.
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      8.8Booking.com
    • Koyasan Shukubo Sainanin
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Koyasan, Koyasan Shukubo Sainanin is a historic temple approximately 1100 years old and located 300 metres from Daimon Gate. All rooms features tatami (woven-straw) flooring. The property has a hot spring bath with free toiletries. Guests can attend Buddhist morning services. There is a coffee shop on site. Kansai International Airport is 90 minutes by car from Koyasan Shukubo Sainanin.
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      7.8Booking.com