Mount Kōya, or Kōya-san, holds profound significance as a sacred site in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture. Established in 819 by the monk Kūkai, it serves as the world headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Nestled on an 800-meter-high plain surrounded by eight peaks, the area is revered for its resemblance to a lotus plant, symbolizing purity. The site boasts over 120 sub-temples and is a starting point for the Shikoku Pilgrimage, reflecting its deep cultural and spiritual heritage.