Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Places to visit near Kōya

Kōya is a town in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, home to about 5,013 people. Within 50 km by road there are 130 places to visit — 53 temples, 49 buddhist sites, 8 hill stations & viewpoints and 6 parks. The must-see places are Okuno-in Temple (2 km), Muryōkō-in Temple (4 km) and Kongōbu-ji Temple (4 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Kōya on the map

Kōya, Wakayama Prefecture
Kōya, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Kōya at a glance

Location
Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Population
about 5,013
Coordinates
34.2129° N, 135.6224° E
Places within 50 km
130 (130 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to March for buddhist sites; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for temples and parks

Top places to visit near Kōya

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Kōya: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Kōya

Things to see near Kōya, by type

Temples near Kōya

86 temples within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Tateri Kojin-ja (9 km). Best time: year-round.

All temples in Nara Prefecture →

Buddhist sites near Kōya

82 buddhist sites within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Okuno-in Temple (2 km). Best time: october to march.

All buddhist sites in Osaka Prefecture →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Kōya

16 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Mt. Ryujin (22 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Nara Prefecture →

Parks near Kōya

11 parks within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden (Hana No Bunka-en) (32 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

All parks in Osaka Prefecture →

Museums near Kōya

10 museums within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Koyasan Reihōkan (5 km). Best time: year-round.

All museums in Osaka Prefecture →

Forts & heritage near Kōya

10 forts & heritage within 100 km of Kōya. The closest is Takamatsuzuka Tomb (41 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Osaka Prefecture →

A one-day trip from Kōya

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 26 km on the road.

  1. Start in Kōya
  2. 2 km Okuno-in Temple · Buddhist site, Osaka Prefecture
  3. 2 km Muryōkō-in Temple · Buddhist site, Osaka Prefecture
  4. 1 km Kongōbu-ji Temple · Buddhist site, Osaka Prefecture
  5. 1 km Koyasan Reihōkan · museum, Osaka Prefecture
  6. 11 km Tateri Kojin-ja · temple, Yoshino
  7. 9 km Back to Kōya

Plan a longer trip from Kōya — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Kōya

No traveller has reported from around Kōya yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Kōya

    All places near Kōya by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Kōya by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Temples5386Tateri Kojin-ja (9 km)
    Buddhist sites4982Okuno-in Temple (2 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints816Mt. Ryujin (22 km)
    Parks611Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden (Hana No Bunka-en) (32 km)
    Museums410Koyasan Reihōkan (5 km)
    Forts & heritage810Takamatsuzuka Tomb (41 km)
    Other attractions05Wakayama Castle Park Zoo (52 km)
    Waterfalls22笹の滝 (35 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens02Nagai Botanical Garden (57 km)

    Kōya: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Kōya?

    Okuno-in Temple (Buddhist site, about 2 km), Muryōkō-in Temple (Buddhist site, about 4 km), Kongōbu-ji Temple (Buddhist site, about 4 km), Koyasan Reihōkan (museum, about 5 km), Tateri Kojin-ja (temple, about 9 km), Mt. Ryujin (viewpoint, about 22 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Kōya?

    130 places on Spotwander: 53 temples, 49 buddhist sites, 8 hill stations & viewpoints, 6 parks, 4 museums.

    Which is the nearest temple to Kōya?

    Tateri Kojin-ja, about 9 km by road; Hachiman Shrine (25 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest Buddhist site to Kōya?

    Okuno-in Temple, about 2 km by road; Muryōkō-in Temple (4 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Kōya?

    Mt. Ryujin, about 22 km by road; Mt Kongo Viewing Platform Observatory (29 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Kōya?

    Start in Kōya, visit Okuno-in Temple, then Muryōkō-in Temple, then Kongōbu-ji Temple, then Koyasan Reihōkan, then Tateri Kojin-ja, and drive back — about 26 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Kōya?

    October to March for buddhist sites; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for temples and parks.

    Towns near Kōya

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Kōya’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Kōya on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.