Koyasan Reihokan Museum

Koyasan Reihokan Museum is the main museum on Mount Kōya, dedicated to the religious treasures of the Shingon Buddhist temples located here. It was founded in 1921 to protect and display objects that for centuries had been kept inside temple buildings and were rarely accessible to the public. The collection includes Buddhist statues, mandalas, ritual tools, sutras, and portraits of Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi). Many of the works date back to the Heian and Kamakura periods, offering a direct visual connection to the early history of Kōyasan and esoteric Shingon practice. Rather than focusing on art for art’s sake, the museum shows how these objects were actually used in rituals, prayers, and daily monastic life. The building itself is simple, which helps keep the attention on the exhibits. Seen after visiting temples such as Kongōbu-ji or Okuno-in, the museum adds helpful context, making it easier to understand the symbols, images, and ritual atmosphere encountered elsewhere on the mountain. Admission is paid, photography inside is not allowed, and a visit typically takes about 45–60 minutes.

I don't recommend this place it is expensive 1300 per person not to many exhibits most descriptions are not translated and you are not allowed to take picture. During cold day it is cold inside

It’s not the biggest museum but it’s nice. I went at 10 AM and only 1 other person was inside so I was able to take my time here. Take off your out door shoes and put on slippers and you’ll be able to enter in 2 sections where they have scriptures and sculptures that you can see. It does have English description on most of it so anyone can go. Knowing Japanese does help because you get more context. They also have a YouTube channel so you can learn about it after as well.

i was really moved by the large buddhist sculpture there, and could look at it closely. however the recreation of the large scroll paintings in the first room was strange, it seems to be digitally printed. anyway i still recommended it

A lot of national treasure from different area of Japan 🇯🇵 I recommend you to visit this wonderful museum.

Very special museum, a bit on the boring side but some of the historic statues were very cool. I just wish the signs with descriptions of each artifact had an English translation as you aren’t allowed to use your phone so I didn’t know what I was looking at most of the time in here but I understand that’s a very egotistical perspective.

Please note Nov 17 -22, 2025 temporarily closed

A lovely museum, although at a hefty price compared to similar establishments in more urban locations. Staff was very helpful and offered English pamphlets to assist us on our tour. Without the pamphlets, make sure you bring your smart phone with you and that it has the ability to translate text from Japanese to English or whatever language you prefer. Otherwise, you will see a paragraph or two of text written in Japanese, followed by a 1-liner in English just giving the name of the historical piece and/or the materials used to make it. Do bare in mind, however, that photography is not allowed, so you may be viewed with suspicion for whipping out your phone and taking pictures (although we both know you were just trying to translate whatever the sign said.) It is a wonderful break from the area it is located in. Both interior and exterior layouts are truly beautiful, even in the full blazing heat of summer. Many pieces of historical art and sculpture that are truly awe inspiring. The gift shop near the entrance actually has a interesting selection of offerings, excellent for small presents or decorations, but nothing overly expensive or daunting. The outside area also has a break station with vending machines and water misting, which was tremendously useful during our summer visit. Make sure you remember to take your umbrella with you when you leave, unlike me.