The historic main approach to Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrim path beginning at Jison-in Temple in Kudoyama and climbing through cedar forest to the Daimon Gate, marked the entire way by 180 carved stone pillars placed by pilgrims over centuries.
The Choishi-michi trail begins at Jison-in Temple, a short walk from Kudoyama Station on the Nankai Koya Line, with no permit required and free parking available near the temple for drivers. The full route covers approximately 23.5 km one way, climbing steadily from about 100 m elevation at Kudoyama to the 800 m Koyasan plateau, a gain of roughly 700 m over 7-8 hours of walking. The path follows a mix of forest dirt track, stone-paved sections, and short paved village roads, with moderate technical difficulty; no scrambling is required, but the length and sustained ascent make it a full-day undertaking. The trail is named for its 180 stone route markers (cho-ishi), spaced roughly 109 m apart, placed by pilgrims from the Kamakura period onward, and it stays shaded under cedar and cypress canopy for the majority of its length. Key landmarks include Jison-in Temple at the start, the Kamuro-yama and Kasagake-yama ridgelines partway up, the Nyonin-do hall near the Koyasan approach, and the final arrival at the Daimon Gate marking the entrance to the temple town. Small villages along the lower section offer vending machines and occasional shops, but the upper half of the route, closer to Koyasan, has long stretches without water resupply, so hikers should carry enough for the second half of the day. There are no mountain huts, but the trail's proximity to rural roads means bailout points to nearby train stations exist at several stages for those needing to shorten the hike.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Kudoyama Town to Koyasan
- Best season
- March-May and October-November
What to bring
- Hiking boots
- Trekking poles
- 2-3 L water
- Rain jacket
- Headlamp (in case of a late finish)
Location
Jison-in, Kudoyama, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0101
34.3231, 135.5361 View on map
Highlights
- 180 carved stone pilgrim markers (cho-ishi) spaced along the entire route
- Jison-in Temple starting point in Kudoyama
- Historic cedar-forest approach used by pilgrims for over 800 years
- Arrival through the Daimon Gate into Koyasan temple town
Tips for visiting
- Start early, ideally by 8 a.m., to complete the full 7-8 hour route in daylight
- Carry a headlamp in case of a later-than-planned finish near dusk
- Water and food should be stocked up in Kudoyama before departure, since resupply thins out on the upper half of the route
- Trekking poles help with the sustained uphill grade over the full day
- Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) offer the most comfortable hiking temperatures
When to visit
March-May and October-November provide the most comfortable temperatures for the full-day climb; an early morning start is recommended year-round.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible; it is a long forest and stone-paved path with a sustained, moderate uphill grade throughout.
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Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the full Choishi-michi trail?
It is a long full-day hike with a steady 700 m climb, but the terrain itself is non-technical forest and stone path, making it accessible to fit hikers with some multi-hour trekking experience.
Can the trail be shortened?
Yes, several rural roads intersect the route partway up, allowing hikers to exit toward nearby train stations if they wish to walk only part of the trail.
Where does the trail start and end?
It begins at Jison-in Temple near Kudoyama Station and ends at the Daimon Gate at the entrance to Koyasan.
Is water available along the way?
Villages in the lower section have vending machines, but the upper half toward Koyasan has long stretches without resupply, so hikers should carry water accordingly.