As soon as he founded the religious community at Koyasan, Kobo Daishi began construction on the Great Stupa. It is a symbol of the ideals of Shingon Buddhism and so is known as the "fundamental great stupa. " The present structure is a reconstruction dating from 1937. It stands 48.5 meters tall and flares in majestic stature to a width of 23.5 meters on each of its four sides.

The Garan

The Garan marks the location of the first buildings constructed The Garan (Central Monastic Complex) at Koyasan. It originally was and still is the center of the rit ual life of the religious community, and together with Okunoin (the area surrounding Kobo Daishi's tomb) it is considered one of the holiest spots on the mountain. This extensive compound includes the following structures: The Great Stupa (or Pagoda), the Kondo (originally a lecture hall), the Western and Eastern Stupas, a shrine for Myojin (the local mountain deity), the halls known as Miedo, Junteido, Kujakudo, Sammaido, Aizendo, Daiedo and Fudodo, the Bell Tower and the Hexagonal Scripture Storehouse.