Sekisho-in, Koyasan near Kyoto, Japan

To reach Koyasan (Mount Koya), you must take a train that goes through the mountains and then an angled tramway that goes up the mountain, then take a short bus ride. It’s a delight the whole way through.
What you will find there is a small town with about 200 temples, many of which can accomodate you so that you experience the food.. and the 4-5am prayers!
At Sekisho-in the monks helping us out seemed fairly young and very playful, but as evidenced by most other temples being a monk is serious business too.
This journey was the only that I fully shared with a family member (my sister) and it has retained a strong anchor in me. Little did I know that nearly a decade later I would end up becoming more knowledgeable about Zen koans via the analysis and commentaries of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)