Kōya, Wakayama

Kōya (高野町, Kōya-chō) is a town located in Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2021, the town had an estimated population of 2,812, in 1,575 households. It had a population density of 21 persons per km². The total area of the town is 137.03 square kilometres (52.91 sq mi). The town is known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Geography

Kōya is located near the prefectural border at the northeastern end of Wakayama Prefecture, on the heavily-forest plateau of Mount Koya

Neighbouring municipalities

Wakayama Prefecture

Hashimoto
Katsuragi
Kudoyama

Nara Prefecture

Nosegawa

Climate

Kōya has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa/Cfa). It has warm summers, and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kōya is 11.1 °C (52.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,003.1 mm (78.86 in). June is the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.8 °C (73.0 °F), and lowest in January, at around −0.3 °C (31.5 °F).

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kōya has declined steadily over the last 70 years.

History

The area of the modern town of Kōya was within ancient Kii Province. It has long been associated with the Shingon Buddhist temple complex on Mount Kōya, which was founded in 816AD. The village of Kōya was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system in April 1889. It was given town status in November 1918. The village of Fuki was annexed by Kōya in June 1958.

Government

Kōya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 10 members. Kōya collectively with the town of Kudyama, contributes one member to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Kōya is centered on tourism. Since there are many temples, there are many people involved in Buddhist professions such as monks. There are many tourism related industry workers such as innkeepers, souvenir shops, and Buddhist equipment stores.

Education

Kōya has three public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. One public high school is operated by the Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education. Koyasan University, a private university affiliated with Shingon Buddhism is located in the town.