Okunoin is the most sacred site of Mt. Koya surrounded by an immense graveyard. The cemetery path extends about 2km from the entrance to the tomb of Kobo Daishi. Shaded by cryptomerias, the 200,000 tombs include those of Hosen (founder of Jodo Shin sect), Shinran (founded of Jodo sect), Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a fistful of Edo-period emperors, and even some famous Kabuki actors.

Age and moss have melded them into a muted congregations at the foot of the towering, cathedral-like trees. In the modern area of the cemetery south of the Tamagawa River, we will see quite a hodgepodge of creative tombstones and markers, including a number of company logos (let's look out for the huge rocketshaped monument and the granite coffee cups!!)

- Michelle Park, 2008 AIKOM Field Trip Guidebook