At present there are 117 Buddhist temples in Koyasan, with 53 offering lodging. Over the long history of the community, in excess of two thousand temples once stood here in their grandeur. However, frequent fires have left us today without even any records of many, so that we cannot trace the history of the changes that have taken place. The earliest residences for monks were constructed simultaneously with the development of the Garan. It appears that the earliest quarters were centered on Kukai's residence at Chuin (present day Ryuko-in), surrounding it to the east, west and north, and then gradually extending outward to the areas known as Sai-in, Tanigami and Senju-in. During Koyasan's early history, the only dwellings were small huts and monks' quarters. Gradually, however, regular residences began to be built, and construction assumed a grand scale due to the growing patronage from feudal lords and powerful families and the resulting influx of wealth and the appearance of private temples dedicated to family ancestors. The increasing numbers of visitors from all over Japan also contributed to the overall expansion in accomodations. The entire mountaintop has traditionally been divided into the following nine regions, each known as a valley (dani):

SAI-IN DANI.

This is the region stretching from the Daimon to the Garan. Today this area is also known as Daimon street or Atago Dani. Lodging temples in this area include Sainan-in, Hoon-in, Hoki-in and Yochi-in. The residential temples are Byodo-in, Zenju-in, Seikei-in, Gochi-in, Jisho-in, Renkon-in and Chisogon-in.

M I N A M I D A N I.

This designates an area to the southeast of the Garan including the Shingon Mission. The lodging temples in this area are the Henjoson-in, Zofuku-in, Joju-in, Shakamon-in, Jobodai-in, Joki-in and Tentoku-in. The residential temples are the Daijo-in, Daisho-in, Nansho-in, Shomudo-in, Myosen-in and Saisho-in. Also located here are the Reihokan Museum and its storehouse, the Kangaku-in, the Women Priest's Training Center and the kindergarten.

T A N I G A M I.

The region to the west of Honchu- in Dani, which is just north of the Garan. Lodging temples here include the Shochi-in, Hojo-in and Saizen-in. The residential temples are the Dairaku-in and Hoju-in (the head temple for the Priest's Training Center) and the Koyasan High School.

HONCHU-IN DANI.

This is the area north of the Garan between the Myoo-in and Kongobuji, The lodging temples here are Myoo- in, Ryuko-in, Shinno-in and Soji-in. Residential temples are Shoto-in, Risho-in, Ryujo-in, Joren-in, Higashimuro-in and Injo-in.

ODAWARA DANI.

The area east of Kongobuji, which includes the town center and parts south of it. Lodging temples here are the Renge-in, Takamuro-in, Annyo-in, Kongo-sanmai-in and Saimon-in. Residential temples include the Nyoirinji Konzo- in, Renjo-in, Tonan-in, Hokko-in, Kongocho-in, Jozo-in and Chusho-in. In addition is Koyasan University, the elementary school, several banks, the tourist office, fire department and post office.

S E N J U - I N D A N I.

An area of about two blocks standing between Odawara Dani and Gonomuro Dani. The lodging temples here are Fugen-in, Fumon-in, Ichijo-in, Honno-in, Muryoko-in and Hongaku-in. Residential temples include Godai-in, Seigan-ji, Shinnan-in, Seiryo-in, Saisho-in, Hoshu-in and Shitchi-in. Also in this area is the Koyasan Police Station, Town Hall, hospital and University dormitory. Going from Senjuin Dani north into Uguisu Daiii, there is the Junior High School, Public (.'hildcare Center, Public Housing Complex, I-Iliiiversity grounds and facilities such as tennis courts, baseball fields, a ski slope and@skating rink.

GONOMURO DANI.

The area north of Kongobuji, originally divided into Isshin Dani and Gonomuro Dani. Lodging temples here include Haryo-in, Rengejo-in, Nishimuro-in, Nan-in, Fukuchi-in, Kodai-in and Ryusen-in. Residential temples are Kotoku-in, Tamon-in, Zuishin-in, Zenko-in, Taiun-in, Hodaraku-in, Shogaku-in and Gobojakujo-in (originally known as Ichin-in).

OJO-IN DANI.

This area from Odawara Dani eastward toward Okunoin was known as Renge Dani until the early Kamakura Period, when Ojo-in Temple was constructed and thus the present name appeared. Lodging temples here include the Daien-in, Jofuku-in,Jimyo in, Sanbo-in, Fudo-in, Kitamuro-in, Henjoko-in, Jizo-in, Mitsugon-in and Jochi-in. Residential onesinclude Shogaku-in,Koso-in, Zocho-in Tokuzen-in, Kyogaku-in, Hosho-ii and Senzo-in.

RENGE DANI.

This area takes its name from the Rengesanmai-in, a residential temple still in use today. This is the area in the eastern-most part of town, closest to the holy precincts of Okunoin. Lodging temples include Daimyoo-in, Eko-in, Komyo- in, Kumagai-ji, Shojoshin in, Sekisho-in and Hozen-in. Residential temples include Tanjo-in, Tokon in, Henmyo-in, Sumino-bo, Oku-no-bo, Kongo in, liongan-in, Myoon-in, Enman-in and Jiho-in. Shinbessho Entsuji is located in a secluded forest in the south part of this valley. Also, just south of Komyo-in are the Koyasan Meeting Hall and Citizen's Center.

LODGING TEMPLES

Below is a brief description of the history of each of the fifty-three temples which offer lodging. (They are listed in approximately the same order as the above page; however, for convenience the town is here divided into five dis- tricts.)

District 1

(south of the Garan)

SAINAN-IN:

Its name means "southwestern temple," derived from its position relative to the Garan. Originally thought to serve as a protective temple against inauspicious energies of the southwesterly direction. Opened by Kukai's disciple Shinzen, the name was changed one in 1135 to Byodoshin-in. Eigen, who helped revive the temple, was Japan's first compilist of iconography.

HOON-IN:

Founded by Nyokai, who was a disciple of Kukai's disciple Shinga. An Imperial order from the Hoon-in of Ninnaji Temple during the seventeenth century gave the temple its present name.

YOCHI-IN:

Founded by Kakuho Shinno, who was fond of cherry blossoms. The name Yochi means "cherry blossom pond," and comes from a verse saying, "In the light of the moon that makes its way through the blossoming cherry trees, even my heart is cleansed by the water of the garden pond.' Ejin, who revived the temple, was known as the blind temple administrator.

HOKI-IN:

When Kangen visited Koyasan by Imperial order in 913 bringing a new robe to Daishi's Shrine, he founded this temple and named it after the era in which Daishi was born. On the temple grounds is a well, known as the "Robe Well."

HENJOSON-IN:

Said to have gotten its name from the central deity image enshrined within, which is Dainichi Nyorai (Also known as Henjoson, "universally illuminating deity."

ZOFUKU-IN:

A temple coumpound including the Keo-in, Jojuko- in, Joshu-in, it was the residence of the monk Kakukai.

JOBODAI-IN:

It was originally in Saiin Dani but was moved to Minami Dani in the 1660s. It served as a private temple for the religious services of the Regent Oe Hirornoto.

JOJU-IN:

Founded by Nichienbo Kakuwa in 1312. Also Kakuno, known for his doctrinal scholarship, lived here.

SHAKAMON-IN:

Founded by the reviver Kishin Shonin at the end of the Heian period. It is known as the home of reputable scholar monks and possesses many Important Cultural Assets.

JOKI-IN:

Founded by Doko Daishi Jichie and revived by Shinkaku Ajari.

TENTOKU-IN:

Originally called Saiko-in, its name was changed in 1622 after Kaga-no-Maeda reposited the remains of her husband, Tentoku-in. The garden preserves its layout from the Momoyama period.

District 2(north of Garan)

ANNYO-IN:

Revived by Kakusen Ajari and rebuilt in1184. Due to the favor of Mori Motonari,it long remained under the protection of the Mori family.

SHOCHI-IN:

Founded in 1113 by the scholarmonk Kyokaku Shochibo. Since medieval times it flourished as a place for doctrinal discussion.

HOJO-IN:

Said to be one of the temples Retired Emperor Goshirakawa had built when he came to Koyasan. Founded by Rinken and revived by Choei Sozu, at which time it gained its present name.

SAIZEN-IN:

Founder was Myojaku Shonin, a leading disciple of Meizan Daitoku of Chu-in. At the time of the third generation master Sensho Aiari in 1113, Shinran Shonin built a thatched hut here and called it Amida-in. This hut eventually became incorporated into a larger complex.

MYOO-IN:

It was originally opened at the time Kukai founded Koyasan enshrining as a central deity and image of Godai Myoo. The image was lost to a fire in 1631, however, and presently there is enshrined a painting of a red Fudo Myoo said to have been painted by Chisho Daishi Encho.

RYUKO-IN:

Originally it was known as Chu-in, but at the time of the reviver Meizan a dragon-serpent god is said to have appeared out of the temple's pond holding a bright gem. hence the present name meaning "temple of the dragon-serpent light." It is the oldest temple in Koyasan, having served as Kukai's own residence.

SHINNO-IN:

Founded by Shinnyo Shinno, one of Kukai's ten leading disciples. After Kukai's passing Shinnyo journeyed to China and then to India in search of Buddhist teachings, but died enroute from the attack of a wild tiger.

SOJI-IN:

Comprised of the Shoto-in, Risho-in and Ryujo-in, its founder was the 28th generation monastic administrator of Koyasan, Gyoe Sojibo.

RENGE-IN:

Founded by Kukai. The monk 'Foga Hoin, who had once joined an attack on Koyasan by the armies of Tokugawa leyasu, revived the temple. The temple has a history of close relations with the Tokugawa family for which reason its name was once changed to Daitoku-in.

ICHIJO-IN:

Founded by Zenge Shonin. The loyal patronage of General of the Left Kujo is the reason for the temple holding the ancestral tablets of successive generations of the Kujo family.

District 3 (northwest part of town)

HARYO-IN:

Also known as Goshobo. The Imperial Prince Seiren'in-rniya Sonchin lived here. A special rock and painting connected with Shinran Shonin are kept here.

RENGEJO-IN:

Founded by Gyosho Shonin in 1190. At first called Nenbutsu-in, the name was changed during the life of the third generation monk Konkai Shonin. At one time the immediate family of Sanada Yukimura lived here, and many of the temple treasures were donated at this time.

NISHIMURO-IN:

One of the four temples originally set close to the Garan at each of the four cardinal directions. Later it was moved to Minami Dani and again in the late Bakufu period to its present spot. Its reviver Gashin Sozu, proficient at Japanese poetry, later constructed the Sanno-in in Amano and was known as the "temple administrator of Amano. "

NAN-IN:

Built by Kojima Shinko Sozu, who was formerly a scholar-monk of the Hosso sect at Todaiji Temple in Nara (and is known as the founder of the Kojima school). Its name comes from the fact that he once lived in a temple called the Nan-in at Todaiji.

KODAI-IN:

Established by the fourth son of Emperor Shirakawa, Kakuho Ho-shinno, the temple has long had close relations with the Imperial family. Its present name dates from the time of Dojo Ho-shinno.

RYUSEN-IN:

A composite of the formerly adjacent temples Hozo- in, Sairen-in and Taiun-in. Founded by Shinkei Risshi, it was revived by Chusan Shonin in 968.

FUKUCHL-IN:

Founded by Kakuin Ajari, the son of Taira no Sochisue and the younger brother of Byodobo Eigen.

HONGAKU-IN:Gyoku Shonin founded the temple and it wasrevived in 1580 by the feudal lord Inaba Ittetsuof Bungo.

MURYOKO-IN:

Founded by the fourth son of Emperor Shirakawa, Kakuho Shinno, the central deity enshrined is the Buddha Muryoju (Amitayus). It was at first called Take-in. The reviver Inyu was a famous scholar-monk, while Seiin Hoin of Echigo was a teacher to Uesugi Kenshin with a high reputation among people of Shinetsu.

HONNO-IN:

Built in 1158 by Ueno Ajari Hoshin Sozu. Before being moved to its present location it was in Range Dani.

FUMON-IN:

Its history begins with a grass hut built by Gonso Daitoku. Originally to the north of the Garan but shifted during the Tokugawaperiod.

District 4(town center)

FUGEN-IN:

Founded by Rikijo Shonin. The name comesfrom a statue of the bodhisattva Fugen, thepersonal deity of Kakuho Shinno, that was placed here in 1126.

TAKAMURO-IN:

Founded in 1290 by Bokai of the Daigo Matsuhashi sect when he first came to Koyasan. Hojo Ujinao-ko once hid here in 1573.

KONGOSANMAI-IN:

Served as the base for communications between Koyasan and Kamakura ever since it was constructed in 1211 by Zenni of the Second Rank under orders of the senior priest Gyoyu. It was originally called Zenjo-in.

SAIMON-IN:

Founded in 1069 by Kyokai Shonin. Because the son of Emperor Gotoba, Michimori Hoin, resided here, the Imperial con sort Saichu Gomon-in of Emperor Gohorikawa had great reverence for the temple. Thus she had a temple built and named it Saimon-in.

DAIEN-IN:

The name comes from the great patron Tachibana Muneshige, whose religious name was Daien-in Den. The eighth generation Master of Precepts Ajo, whose layname was Saito Tokiyori, was commonly called TakiguchiNyudo.

JIMYO-IN:

Because of the slope in front, the temple isalso known as Kosaka-bo, "Temple with a little hill." It was originally called Jurin-in, but fell into ruin in the late seventeenth century. The founder of the Jimyo sect, Jimyobo Shin'yo, transferred the Jimyo-in Temple that was in Minami Dani to the present location.

FUDO-IN:

Founded by Saiko Daisozu in 906, it is one of the twelve temples originally built in Nishi Dani. The main image enshrined is of Fudo Mvoo. Ever since the remains of Bifukumon-in, the consort of Emperor Gotoba, were placed in Nishi Dani in a place called Maruyama Goryo, this temple has offered services to Bifukumon-in.

JOFUKU IN: Records were lost in a fire in 1523, but the temple was revived in 1539 by Gyoei Shonin.

SANBO-IN:

It is said that a hall by this name built by Kukai's mother at Jison-in in Kudoyama was transferred to the present location. Based on the precedent created by Kukai's mother when she made sweet rice wine (after hulling each grain of rice by hand) to send to her son on Mt. Koya, every year the same is offered by this temple to Daishi's Shrine on the occasion of the Mieku ceremony. The reviver of the temple, Kanken Shonin, introduced the Shinryu tradition of shomyo (special method foi (!hanting scriptures) to Koyasan. l@ITAMURO-lN: One of the first four temples built to surround the Garan (one on each side), this was the one to the north. It was in Honchu-in Dani before being moved here in 1688.

D i str i ct 5 (eastern part of town)

Said to have been erected by Kukai himself. the main image enshrined is Kokera Fudo. The ninth generation priest Kakukyo Shonin replaced the original wooden markers on the trail to Koya with the stone pillars seen today. JIZO-IN:

Formerly known as Jizo-bo. Built by the Ajari Sonkai of Kanju-ji Temple as a residerice during the Fujiwara period. The main image enshrined is of the Bodhisattva Jizo.

JOCIII-IN:

Once one of eight halls which were part of Kayado An'yo-ji. The main image is of a thousand-armed Bodhisattva Kannon, and the temple was formerly called Kannon-in. It was revived by Sogan Ajari, the founder of the Sogan sect.

MITSUGON IN:

The residence of Kakuban Shonin (12th c.),its name derives from Kakuban's also being known by the title Mitsugon Shonin.

DAIMYOO-IN:

Also known as the Lawn Temple . Founded by Jitsuo Shonin, son of Minamoto Yoshiie, the Governor of Settsu. The main image enshrined is of Fudo Myoo, to which Yoshiie prayed for pacification of the frontier in Oshu province.

KOMYO-IN:

Founded by the son of Retired Emperor Goshirakawa, En'e Hoshinno. The twelfthgeneration priest Jitsudo Shonin was the sonof Hachisuka Koroku Masaaki.

EKO-IN:

Said to have had its beginning when Kukai erected a five foot stupa in this area. In 1308, Ryocho Ajari came from the Toji Temple in Kyoto to revive this temple. It is has long had parishoner support from the Shimazu clan. KUMAGAI-JI: Founded by Shinryu Ajari, in 1183 Kumagai Naozane, a disciple of Genku, changed his name to Renjo and erected some memorial stones here.

SEKISHO-IN:

Founded by Shokai Ajari. Akamatsu Enshin came here to pay reverence to Sonnin Shinno and afterwards offered much support to the temple. The present name dates from 1334.

SHOJOSHIN-IN:

Said to have first been built as a thatched hut by Kukai, with its name designated by order of the Emperor. Takiguchi Nyudo is supposed to have lived here. The present structure was rebuilt by the fifty-fourth generation priest Yuei Shonin. It is the second largest temple in Koyasan next to Kongobuji.

HOZEN-IN:

Originally called Tanjo-in. The temple has close relations with the Niu clan, who supervise worship of the Amano Jinja Shrine.