The Reihokan Museum in Kōya-san holds and exhibits numerous priceless treasures, artworks and assets of the 1,200 year-old complex, including 21 National Treasures, 143 Important Cultural Properties, prefectural cultural properties and documents of historical importance.
When Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) returned from China, he brought with him many mandalas, Buddhist texts, paintings and ritual implements. Many of these can now be seen in the museum’s four annual exhibits, along with many important works of art from later times.
Many of the most outstanding examples of Buddhist art in Japan can also be found in this museum including statues of: Aizen-myo’o from the Edo period; Dainchi-nyorai from the Heian period; Four Heavenly Warriors from the Kamakura period; and Kōbō Daishi from the Muromachi-Momorama period.
The museum’s building design was modelled on the Byodo-in Temple in Uji and it opened in 1921.
Opening hours 8:30 to 17:30 from May to October and 8:30 to 17:00 from November to April (last entry 30 minutes before closing). Entrance is 600 yen per person.
SOURCES:
- Koyasan and Kumano Access Bus
- UNESCO World Heritage Koyasan Leaflet in English
- Koyasan Reihokan Museum Leaflet in English
- Dai Garan Kongobuki Koyasan leaflet
- Kongobuji Temple Leaflet
- Guide to Koyasan
- Kōyasan – the 1200th Anniversary Since The Foundation
