Kongobu-ji and Okuno-in are two of the most significant spiritual sites in Koyasan, the center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Kongobu-ji Temple, originally founded in 1593, serves as the head temple of Koyasan’s Shingon Buddhism, offering visitors a chance to experience Zen and spiritual peace. The temple complex includes beautiful rooms adorned with painted sliding doors and Japan's largest rock garden.

Okuno-in, on the other hand, is one of Japan’s most sacred places. It is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is set within a vast cemetery of over 200,000 gravestones, where famous historical figures and commoners alike are buried. Walking along the lantern-lit pathway leading to Okuno-in offers a serene and reflective atmosphere, especially in the early morning or evening.

These sites are essential stops on any pilgrimage to Koyasan, providing deep spiritual and historical insights into Japan's rich Buddhist heritage.