How to Get to Koyasan | Convenient and Affordable Train Access from Osaka!

I’ve put together various ways to get to Mount Koya by train. Even if you’re coming from outside the Kansai region, starting your journey from Osaka is the most convenient and straightforward option. Based on my personal experience, I’ll introduce some affordable and convenient transportation methods to reach Mount Koya.

Find great travel deals in Japan on Rakuten Travel>>

How to Get to Koyasan | Access from Osaka

Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has many fascinating attractions. From the sacred site of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) at an altitude of 800 meters, to Japan’s most powerful spiritual spot, historical grave tours of famous figures and warlords, and the unique experience of staying at a temple lodging.

Although I’m not particularly religious, every time I visit Mount Koya, I feel its distinct atmosphere and find myself wanting to learn and experience more. It’s not just me; a friend who visited for the first time also mentioned being overwhelmed by the indescribably solemn air the moment they stepped into Okunoin, the inner sanctuary of Mount Koya.

From my personal perspective, while Kyoto feels like a refined and polished Buddhist city, Mount Koya, despite its solemnity, has a warm, approachable charm.

Now, let me introduce the main transportation options for getting to this captivating destination.

Train Travel Time

If you’re traveling by train from areas outside the Kansai region, it’s easier and more convenient to start your journey from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka.

From Nankai Namba Station, it takes about 90 minutes to reach Gokurakubashi Station by limited express train, or about 110 minutes by express train.
From Gokurakubashi Station, the cable car ride to Koyasan Station takes about 5 minutes.
From Koyasan Station, you can take a bus into the town, which takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
It takes around 20 minutes to reach the final bus stop, Okunoin-guchi.

The total travel time from Nankai Namba Station to central Koyasan, including train and bus transfers, is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours one way.

Car Travel Time

The most convenient way to reach Koyasan is by taking a train from Nankai Koya Line at Namba Station.

To get to Koyasan by train, start by taking a limited express or express train from one of the Nankai Railway stations: Namba, Shin-Imamiya, or Tengachaya, and ride to Gokurakubashi Station.

Isn’t the name “Gokurakubashi” wonderful? It perfectly evokes the image of Mount Koya as a Buddhist paradise. Just hearing the name makes the journey feel even more exciting!

Koyasan is a popular tourist destination. Since it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the number of visitors has increased significantly, with more and more tourists coming from Western countries. In fact, when you ride the train, you’ll often find that about two-thirds of the passengers are international tourists — it’s quite a surprise!

During weekends and peak tourist seasons, trains can get crowded, and you might not find a seat. That’s why I recommend boarding from Namba Station, the starting point of the line.

From Namba Station to Gokurakubashi Station, there are four round-trip limited express services per day and express trains running every 30 minutes. The journey takes about 90 minutes by limited express and around 110 minutes by express.
From Gokurakubashi Station, it’s just a 5-minute cable car ride to Koyasan Station.

Which is better for getting to Koyasan: the limited express or the express train?

If you’re taking the train to Koyasan for the first time, you might wonder whether to choose the limited express or the express train.

The time difference between the limited express and the express train from Namba to Gokurakubashi Station is only about 20 minutes.

But have you noticed the price difference? A one-way express ticket costs 930 yen, while the limited express ticket is 1,720 yen. That’s quite a gap!
If you add the 500-yen cable car fee, the total cost is 1,430 yen with the express train and 2,220 yen with the limited express.
Personally, paying an extra 790 yen just to save 20 minutes feels like a waste, so I always go with the express.

Since I tend to need the restroom frequently, I make sure to use the station facilities before boarding and try to avoid drinking water during the ride. Getting off mid-journey to use the restroom would cause a big delay.

Once you reach Gokurakubashi, you’ll transfer to the cable car for the ride up to Mount Koya.
There are restrooms at Gokurakubashi Station, and while it’s usually fine for men to go there quickly, women might need more time. In that case, it’s better to wait until you arrive at Koyasan Station.

Don’t worry about missing your bus after using the restroom at Koyasan Station. The city buses run frequently, so if you miss one, another will arrive shortly after.

If you’re not confident you can go 110 minutes without a restroom break during the train ride, it’s better to take the limited express, which has onboard restrooms, for peace of mind.

If you can manage without a restroom break and don’t mind taking a bit more time, the express train is a more budget-friendly option.

If you’re traveling by train from Osaka, the “Koyasan World Heritage Ticket” is a great deal!

When traveling from Nankai Namba Station to Mount Koya, I highly recommend the “Koyasan World Heritage Ticket,” which is also valid for day trips.

You can purchase it at major Nankai Railway ticket counters, as well as at major JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist, and Nippon Travel Agency offices.
I usually buy mine on the day of travel at the Namba Station ticket counter. However, during peak tourist seasons, the lines can get long, and you might miss your intended train. So, be sure to check the train schedule in advance and allow extra time to line up.

There are two types of “Koyasan World Heritage Tickets”:

• Regular Route Ticket (from Namba Station):
  Adult: 4,500 yen → 3,540 yen / Child: 1,780 yen

• Special “Koya” Limited Express Ticket (from Namba Station) (one-way limited express ticket included for the outbound journey only):
  Adult: 5,290 yen → 4,090 yen / Child: 2,060 yen

Please note that fares vary depending on your departure station.

Even if you’re just visiting for the day, it’s more cost-effective to buy the “Koyasan World Heritage Ticket.”

A regular round-trip express fare costs 2,860 yen, but if you plan to explore Koyasan, you’ll likely use the buses multiple times.

For reference, a one-day unlimited bus pass costs 1,100 yen for adults (550 yen for children).
So, if you add the round-trip express fare (2,860 yen) and the bus pass (1,100 yen), the total comes to 3,960 yen.

The World Heritage Ticket with express train access costs only 3,540 yen, which saves you 420 yen!

 

I want to visit other temples besides Okunoin, buy some souvenirs, and, of course, I’ll get hungry! So, having discount benefits makes it a better deal, right?

See? Even for a day trip, the “Koyasan World Heritage Ticket” is definitely the way to go!

Summary

Here’s a quick summary of how to get to Koyasan Station by train from Namba Station.

On weekends and holidays, additional buses are often added within Koyasan, so getting around by train and bus is surprisingly smooth and convenient.

Find great travel deals in Japan on Rakuten Travel>>