Secluded in a thick forest, this temple (founded 9th century) is associated with the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. It's nicknamed 'Women's Kōya-san' because, unusually, it welcomed female students. Top sights include a national treasure, 9th century, eleven-headed Kannon (deity of mercy) with female forms and, uphill, a five-storey pagoda built in the late 8th century and restored after damage from a 1998 typhoon. Next continue to Oku-no-in, the innermost sanctum, atop another very steep flight of steps.
Don't feel like climbing? Go about 100m past the pagoda to see a mammoth cedar growing over a huge rock.
From Sakurai, take the Kintetsu Osaka line to Murōguchi-ōno Station (kyūkō , ¥350, 16 minutes), then switch to a bus to Murō-ji-mae (¥430, 15 minutes).
