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A Journey Through Mount Koya's Sacred Sanctuary

MOUNT KOYA, JAPAN - JUNE 13: The massive, heavily gnarled root system of an ancient cedar tree spreads across the ground among centuries-old stone monuments and gravestones at Okunoin Cemetery on Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Koya-cho, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, on June 13, 2026. This steep valley settlement along the Nankai Koya Line railway corridor serves as the historical gateway and trailhead for the ancient Choishi-michi pilgrimage route up to Mount Koya (Koyasan), preserving traditional Japanese mountainside architecture featuring tiled roofs and terraced foundations. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13881887
Date Taken	13 June 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Artur Widak/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Artur Widak/NurPhoto

Asian Buddhist cemetery Cryptomeria japonica East Asia Exploration Greenery Japan Japanese Kii Peninsula Koya-cho Koyasan Moss Mount Koya Nature Okunoin Okunoin Cemetery Peaceful Scenic Shingon Buddhism Spiritual Tourism UNESCO Wakayama Prefecture Wilderness ancient tree burial grounds cedar tree cultural heritage gnarled roots gravestones graveyard landscape large trunk old growth forest pilgrimage sacred site serene stone monuments summer tombstones travel tree roots world heritage ancient cedar tree root system Ito District Nankai Koya Line Choishi-michi pilgrimage route traditional Japanese architecture tiled roofs terraced foundations Artur Widak