Editorial photo #13882002 Human Interest

A Journey Through Mount Koya's Sacred Sanctuary

MOUNT KOYA, JAPAN - JUNE 13: The famous, colorfully painted stone statue of O-kesho Jizo (Makeup Jizo), adorned with makeup, a blue knitted cap, and layers of decorative fabric bibs, stands surrounded by pine offerings and old mossy 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 details

Photo ID: #13882002
Date taken: 13 June 2026
Location: —
Photographer: Artur Widak/NurPhoto
Category: Human Interest

Related keywords

No People Asian Buddhist cemetery East Asia Exploration Japan Japanese Jizo Bosatsu Kii Peninsula Koya-cho Koyasan Makeup Makeup Jizo Mount Koya O-kesho Jizo Okunoin Okunoin Cemetery Shingon Buddhism Spiritual Tourism UNESCO Wakayama Prefecture bamboo holders blue knitted cap cedar forest cultural heritage folklore grave markers landscape mossy stone offerings painted face patterned bibs pilgrimage pine branches red fabric sacred site serene small doll stone statue summer tombstones travel world heritage Nankai Koya Line Choishi-michi pilgrimage route traditional Japanese architecture tiled roofs terraced foundations June 13 2026 Artur Widak