Founded in the spirit of compassion and learning, Fudoin stands as a living testament to Koyasan’s spiritual heritage. Here, ancient rituals and modern hospitality intertwine, offering a place of reflection, renewal, and reverence.
At Fudo-in, you can enjoy your meals with a great view of a beautiful garden, attend the morning devotional service, practice sutra copying in a quiet environment, far away from any traffic. A stay at the Fudo-in will be an "ultimate healing experience" which only this historic temple can offer.
*Please refer to the pictures of our guest rooms, bathrooms, dining hall, and other facilities.
Fudo-in is a temple dedicated to Fudomyo-o (Sanskrit Acala), the most important of the Five Wisdom Kings and symbol of determination. It was founded in 906 as one of twelve temples by Saiko (870-943), a high-ranking monk, in the "West Valley", which is a very convenient area for a visit and stay. The temple is also known as the main temple for the Yamashinas (an Imperial family branch) and is called "Yamashina Betsu-in". Bifukumonin (1117-1160), the Empress of Emperor Toba (1103-1156) and a devout follower of Kobo-daishi, was buried here according to her last will and in respect for her lifetime contributions to the temple, such as donating a precious Amida-Sutra and three Amida statues.
KISSENTEI
The Kisen-garden was renovated in 1989. This garden offers a nostalgic atmosphere with fascinating trees in every season, singing birds, and the sound of water coming out of valley rivers, making you realize how far away you are from the maddening crowds of city life. The ultimate quietness at the bottom of the valley is all yours.
BIFUKUMONIN RYO
Since the Empress of Emperor Toba, Bifukumonin (1117-1160), was buried in the West Valley mausoleum, now called, "Maruyama Goryo", Fudo-in has been in charge of this mausoleum.
FUDO-IN HONDOU
Fudo-son is worshipped as the main deity of Fudo-in. Our main hall (Hondo) houses Nichirin Daishi Son Zo, Funaita-myoo Hachiman Bosatsu, furthermore the memorial tablets of the Kanamoris from Hida Takayama, Shima Castle owners, the Kukis from Mita, Yoshimori Saburo Ise, furthermore Imperial Army parachutists and other followers.
THE GRAVES OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY PRACHUTIST OFFICERS
"Carrying the flowers on our shoulders/We'll shoot the sky and color the clouds/With no regrets about my death just right there/We'll finish like these flowers". On the gravestone, there is only one word carved, "Sora" (Sky), to mourn the deaths of the parachutists. Every September, the memorial service is held by All Japan Air Pegasus (the ex Imperial Parachutists). The graveyard is located to the right of Ichino Hashi at Okunoin.
KURI
Meals are served at the Shoin , facing the Kisen-garden, or at one of Wakayama Prefecture's cultural assets, the Kuri (temple kitchen, quarters of the head priest).
SHO-IN
This study or lecture hall offers a very quiet environment for you - a perfect space for your meals and transcription of scriptures - with springtime greenery, summertime cicadas and changing foliage in autumn.
JYODAN NO MA
With time, Koya-san has also changed significantly. You will realize how historical Koya-san is, by looking the pictures of Koya-san drawn on the sliding paper doors in the room.
GARDEN OF FLOWERS
Come here in May. You will be amazed at the Rhododendrons in full blossom in the garden.
| January |
9:00 A.M. January 1st-3rd: Shusho-e (at Okunoin and Kondo). * "e" is pronounced as in "emblem". "e" means "ceremonies", "events" or "meeting". 9:00 A.M. January 5th: Shusho-e (at Daito). *Shusho-e refers to "The New Year Ceremony. |
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| February |
1:00 P.M. February 3rd: Daito Setsubun Kito-e - Prayers at Setsubun Ceremony (Bean Throwing Ceremony). 11:00 P.M.- Next Morning: February 14th-15th: Joraku-e - The ceremony for mourning Buddha's death. For the visitors on the 14th, "udon" noodles will be served. |
| March |
9:00 A.M. March 21st: Sho Mie-ku (at Okunoin) - The ceremony for appreciating Kobo-daishi's teaching on the day of his death anniversary. 1:00 P.M. Three days in the mid equinoctial week (around March 20th) - Shunki Kondo Higan-e (at Kondo) - The ceremony for all spirits in the Three Worlds (defined to be the whole of worlds in which all living creatures reside, in Koya terms). March 20th (the lunar calendar): Kyu Sho Mie-ku O Taiya (at Garan) - The ceremony for the eve of Kobo-daishi's demise day. The Lantern Ceremony is held at Danjo Garan. On this day only, the visitors are allowed into Mie-do. March 21st (the lunar calendar): Kyu Sho Mie-ku (at Okunoin) - The ceremony held on the death anniversary of Kobo-daishi to appreciate his teaching. |
| April |
9:00A.M. April 8th: Bussho-e (at Kongobu Ji) - The ceremony for Buddha's birthday. The visitors will be offered a cup of sweet sake. 9:00 A.M. April 10th: Dai Mandara Ku (at Garan) - The ceremony for praying for the after-life happiness of in the past and spirits by Koya's high monks, and "Mandara Kuyo" (the ceremony using a Mikkyo painting, "Mandala"), aimed at dedicating treasures to the world of the gods. The monks will hold an outdoor ceremony on a big scale, ranging from the Daiedo to Kondo, and the hymns will be heard around the ceremony rostrum. 9:00 A.M. April 21st: Okunoin Mando-e (at Okunoin) - Prayers for world peace and appreciation for the Four Blessings (parents, all living creatures, the Emperor and the Three Buddhism Treasures, including Buddha, the Buddha teachings and monks, and after-life happiness of all spirits). |
| May |
May 3rd - 5th: Shunki Kechien Kanjo (at Kondo) - The ceremony for connecting you to Buddha in Taizo-kai (the World of Wisdom). 9:00 A.M. May 21st: Bosho So Kuyo Okunoin Daisegaki-e - The ceremony for praying for the after-life happiness of all the spirts enshrined in Okunoin and paying respect to all spirits. May 1st-2nd (the lunar calendar): Sanno-in Kaki Inori. 6:00 P.M. May 3rd: Sannoin Rissei. |
| June |
9:00 A.M. June 15th: Shuso Gotan-e - The birthday ceremony for Kobo-daishi. At noon, there will be a parade called "Hanamido Togyo" from Ichino Hashi to Kongobujj. 9:00 A.M. June 9th - 10th (the lunar calendar): Uchi Dangi (at Kongobuji) - The Koya monks will conduct a catechism session on Mikkyo teachings. 6:00 P.M. June 10th-11th (the lunar year): Misaishoko (at Sannoin) - The ceremony for reading and appreciating the Konmyo Saisho O-kyo Scriptures and praying for peace in the country. |
| July |
1 P.M. July 15th: Migoki (at Daito) - The ceremony for praying for the after-life happiness of the Emperor Saga and the Emperor Godaigo. |
| August |
9:00 A.M. for one week from August 7th: Fudan-gyo (at Kondo) - The ceremony for all spirits. The mantra will be read out without any pause. 6:00 P.M. August 13th: Manto Kuyo-e - the Candle Festival (at Okunoin) - From 7:00 P.M., there will be about 100,000 candles offered by the visitors, on the 2 kilometer trail from Ichino Hashi to Okunoin. |
| September |
9:00 A.M. September 11th: Dento Kokushi-ki - The ceremony for appreciating the teachings of Shinzen-daishi, who was the second chief Koya monk after Kobo-daishi and the Imperial Honoured monk, on the anniversary of his death . 1:00 P.M. Three days in the mid equinoctial week (around September 20th) - Shu-ki Kondo Higan-e (at Kondo) - The ceremony for all spirits in the Three Worlds (defined to be the whole of worlds in which all living creatures reside, in Koya terms). 9:00 A.M. September 23rd: Ichiza Dosha Kaji Ho-e (at Kondo) - The ceremony for praying for the after-life happiness of all spirits. |
| October |
7:00 P.M. October 1st-3rd: Okunoin Mando-e (at Okunoin) - Prayers for world peace and appreciation for the Four Blessings (parents, all living creatures, the Emperor and the Three Buddhism Treasures, including Buddha, the Buddha teachings and monks, and after-life happiness of all spirits).). 88:00 P.M. October 1st-3rd: Shuki Kechien Kanjo (at Kondo) - The ceremony for connecting you to Buddha in Kongo-kai (the World of Wisdom). It is highly recommendable that you attend this ceremony as well as the Spring Kechien Kanjo. 12:30 P.M. October 16th: Myojin-sha Shuki Taisai (the Myojin Autumn Festival). 9:00 A.M. October 27th: Shigo Hosan-e - The ceremony for appreciating Kukai's being honored as "Daishi" (the Great Master), as he has been called since his death, by the Emperor Saga. |
The main objective of this festival is fortune-telling through star signs for the year. If you have a good star cycle, the festival will help boost your luck, and if your star tells otherwise, there will be a ceremony to help you remove the bad luck. The prayers continue from "Daikan" day ("Daikan" is considered to be the coldest day of year, calculated on the distance of the sun from the earth. On "Daikan", the sun is farthest from the earth. It is around January 20th to the Setsubun ceremony on February 3rd. Your reservations are accepted from November of the previous year. Complete a reservation form on our homepage or contact Fudo-in.
From the beginning of spring equinox to the end of it, the ceremony will be held for all spirits accommodated at Fudo-in. Please visit us during the period, and we will read the scriptures for you every time you visit. August 11th-13th - Urabon-e Segaki-e: At Urabon-e festival, on the dusk time of the 11th, all the candles will be lit to welcome spirits. For those who have a grave at Okunoin, we will go there and escort spirits from the charnel house. The spirits
At 9 A.M and 2 P.M. - Kaerimi Fudoson Goma Kito-e:
At 11:00 A.M. - Dai Hannya Tendoku-e:
Twice in the morning and in the afternoon, at Fudo-in Gomado, the Ko Fudoson Goma Kito-e prayer ceremony will be held. If you are a member of Ko Fudoson Hosan Kai, we will send a brochure every year (to become a member, please contact Fudo-in). From 11:A.M, Dai Hannya Tendoku-e (reading out the 600 volumes of Dai Hannya Haramittakyo Sutra) will begin to pray for all spirits' after-life happiness and other wishes. We will provide "Enmei Udon" (Long Life Udon noodles) and "Kenko Kigan Nankin" (Good Health Pumpkin) for all visitors.
From the beginning of autumn equinox to the end of it, the ceremony will be held for all spirits accommodated at Fudo-in. Please visit us during the period, and we will read the scriptures for you every time you visit.
On the 28th every month, Fudoson Goma Kito prayers will be held at Fudo-in Gomado. For the ceremony time tables, please contact Fudo-in every month. The January ceremony is called "Hatsu Fudo" (the first ceremony of year at Fudo-in) and the December one, "Shimai Fudo" (the last ceremony of year). For the August ceremony, please refer to our event schedule of August 28th mentioned above.