Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex

Kobo Daishi received imperial sanction from Emperor Saga to open this zen school atop an 800-meter tall mountain approximately 1,200 years ago. It is said that Kobo Daishi himself worked alongside his disciples, pouring their heats and souls into building the temple structures. Pioneered by Kobo Daishi, this is the first Esoteric Buddhist temple in Japan. The arrangement of temple buildings is unique to Mount Koya, and is said to visually express the Kobo Daishi's doctrines of esoteric Buddhism. The temple's central attraction, Kinpon Daito, which was established as a symbol for Esoteric Buddhism's konpo dojo (central school), has been rebuilt, along with the Kondo Hall, inner gate, and other temple structures.