Gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan's largest cemetery – at Mount Koyasan. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney

A stroll through Okunoin cemetery

Alison Binney · Posted on

Okunoin cemetery at Koyasan (Mount Koya) is the largest cemetery in Japan, with more than 200,000 gravestones flanking a 2km walk to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Kobo Daishi was the founder of Shingon Buddhism and is one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan. Koyasan was designated as a World Heritage site and pilgrimage route in 2004.

The path through the Okunoin Cemetery at Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan is 2km long and flanked by ginormous cedar trees, some of which are more than 500 years old. Image: Alison Binney
The path through the Okunoin Cemetery at Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan is 2km long and flanked by ginormous cedar trees, some of which are more than 500 years old. Image: Alison Binney
Okunoin Cemetery at Mount Koya in Japan. 'Jizo' statues are believed to protect children, women and travellers. Image: Alison Binney
Okunoin Cemetery at Mount Koya in Japan. ‘Jizo’ statues are believed to protect children, women and travellers. Image: Alison Binney
It is etiquette to 'purify' yourself before entering a Japanese temple. These ladles are used by worshipers and visitors alike to wash their hands and rinse out their mouths. Image: Alison Binney
It is etiquette to ‘purify’ yourself before entering a Japanese temple. These ladles are used by worshipers and visitors alike to wash their hands and rinse out their mouths. Image: Alison Binney
It is etiquette to 'purify' yourself before entering a Japanese temple. Water ladles are used to wash your hands and rinse out your mouth. You can also pour water over the statues to purify yourself. Image: Alison Binney
It is etiquette to ‘purify’ yourself before entering a Japanese temple. Water ladles are used to wash your hands and rinse out your mouth. You can also pour water over the statues to purify yourself. Image: Alison Binney
The ginormous cedar trees and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery at Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan are unforgettable. Image: Alison Binney
The ginormous cedar trees and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery at Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan are unforgettable. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. The top 5 objects represent (from the bottom square cube up) – earth, water, fire, wind and space. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. The top 5 objects represent (from the bottom square cube up) – earth, water, fire, wind and space. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Jizo statues and gravestones at Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Jizo statues and gravestones at Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) is the largest cemetery in Japan. UNESCO named Mount Koya a World Heritage Site in 2004. The headstones symbolise earth, water, fire, wind and space. Huge cedar trees stand tall among the cemetery – some of which are more than 600 years old. Image: Alison Binney
Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) is the largest cemetery in Japan. UNESCO named Mount Koya a World Heritage Site in 2004. The headstones symbolise earth, water, fire, wind and space. Huge cedar trees stand tall among the cemetery – some of which are more than 600 years old. Image: Alison Binney
A memorial site at Okunoin Cementary in Koyasan, Japan. Image: Alison Binney
A memorial site at Okunoin Cementary in Koyasan, Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan's largest cemetery – at Mount Koya. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney
Gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan’s largest cemetery – at Mount Koya. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney
The ground and gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan's largest cemetery – at Mount Koyasan. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney
The ground and gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan’s largest cemetery – at Mount Koyasan. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Tombstones and memorials in Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Japan. Image: Alison Binney
Gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan's largest cemetery – at Mount Koyasan. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney
Gravestones are covered in moss in Okunoin Cemetery – Japan’s largest cemetery – at Mount Koyasan. The cemetery is set high amongst 600-year-old cedar trees, where mountain fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. Image: Alison Binney