Journeys in Japan S2010E34 - Koyasan, Wakayama

This week on "Journeys in Japan" our reporter JJ visits Koyasan in Wakayama prefecture. It's an ancient Buddhist sanctuary, far removed from the secular world. More than 1000 priests reside in the mountain hamlet, engaged in daily ascetic practices. There are 117 temples in Koyasan, but the whole complex is regarded as one big temple for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Temple stays, called shukubo, are proving popular with visitors from overseas. JJ partakes in its various rituals.