Landmark
Gokurakubashi Station
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Gokurakubashi Station sits at the foot of Mount Kōya, serving as the lower terminus of the cable car that climbs to Kōyasan Station. This modern station is the primary access point for visitors arriving by train from Osaka or Nara via the Nankai Kōya Line. The station building houses ticket machines, a waiting room, and a small shop, but its main draw is the immediate transfer to the cable car, which departs every 20–30 minutes. For those continuing on foot, the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail also passes nearby, offering an alternative route to the summit. The station's name, meaning 'Paradise Bridge,' reflects the spiritual journey beginning here.
Don't miss
- Board the cable car for a 5-minute ride ascending 800 meters to Kōyasan
- Explore the station's small souvenir shop for maps and local crafts
- Look for the stone marker indicating the start of the Kumano Kodo trail
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Gokurakubashi Station
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAsakusa History and Kappa Street (Kappabashi Dogugai) Tour5★ · 10 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$21 per personSee dates →
Most bookedOfficial Street Go-Kart in Shibuya4.9★ · 3,860 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$57 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleKoyasan Full-Day Private Tour5★ · 29 travelers~6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$126 per personSee dates →More attractions in Koyasan