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Kamikitayama Village

Kamikitayama Village, in southeastern Nara, is a rugged yet beautiful village known as a training ground for Shugendo, with the World Heritage "Omine Okugakemichi" route passing through. It is a base for "Hakkaigadake," the highest peak in Kinki, and "Odaigahara," a famous scenic road. Odaigahara is a place where one can firsthand feel "Japanese natural mystery," with rich moss and standing dead trees created by being one of Japan's heaviest rainfall areas. Hot springs also well up in the village, allowing you to savor mountain blessings after a rigorous climb or drive. This land where untouched nature remains is a...

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Higashiyoshino Village

Higashiyoshino Village, at the foot of the Daiko Mountains in east-central Nara, is a village of "aesthetics of silence" enveloped in clear streams and deep forests. It has history as the final site of the "Tenchu-gumi," pioneers of the Meiji Restoration, with many historic sites dotted throughout. It is also known as the place where the Japanese wolf was last sighted, its mystical image sparking visitors' imaginations. You can experience Japanese spiritual culture living with water through river activities at the clear "Takami River" or worshipping at the beautiful "Niu Kawakami Shrine (Nakasha)." It is ideal for those wanting to...

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Soni Village

Soni Village, located in the highlands of northeastern Nara, is a village of overwhelming scenery, counted among "The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan." The main highlight is the "Soni Highlands," where in autumn, the pampas grass as far as the eye can see shines like a golden carpet, attracting many travelers seeking mystical sunsets. Surrounding it are powerful rock walls like "Byobu-iwa" and "Yoroitake," offering dynamic beauty created by volcanic eruptions. With hot spring facilities available, you can heal your fatigue after hiking. It is a hidden gem of Shiga (Nara) where beautiful satoyama landscapes and grand nature coexist.

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Shimokitayama Village

Shimokitayama Village, at the southeastern tip of Nara, is a village where the beauty of water stands out, embraced by deep mountains of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The symbols "Ikehara Dam" and "Nanairo Dam" are known to anglers worldwide as sacred sites for black bass fishing. "Shimokitayama Sports Park," built looking up at a massive dam wall, features campgrounds and hot springs, making it ideal for outdoor experiences in nature. At night, a starry sky unseen in cities spreads out; the deep green forests and crystal-clear water provide ultimate refreshment and let visitors feel the life force of Japan's deep...

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Koryo Town

Koryo Town, in the central Nara Basin, is a romance-filled town with legends of being the setting of Japan's oldest story, "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" (Kaguya-hime's hometown). The town is dotted with many burial mounds, including "Suyama Burial Mound," one of Japan's largest scallop-shaped tumuli, conveying the power of ancient clans. It's also famous as one of Japan's top "Sock" production areas, passing traditional textile skills to the present. At the vast "Umami-kyuryo Park," seasonal flowers decorate historic sites, bustling with families enjoying picnics and strolls. It's an attractive area where the world of myth, beautiful parks, and...

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Yamatotakada City

Yamatotakada City, in west-central Nara, is a vibrant commercial city that once flourished with cotton and textile industries. Along the Takada River flowing through the center, a magnificent cherry blossom tunnel continues for about 2.5 km in spring, and you can enjoy the mystical illuminated "Senbonzakura" (thousand cherries) at night. Dotted with lively shopping streets loved by locals and historic temples, its charm lies in feeling the "real Japanese daily life" not overly commercialized for tourism. With excellent transportation, it's convenient as a base for visiting nearby Asuka and Kashihara, allowing you to touch regional food culture and warm hospitality.

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Kashiba City

Kashiba City, in northwestern Nara, offers good access to Osaka and features a coexistence of a vibrant bedroom community and rich historical heritage. The National Natural Monument "Donzurubō" is a scenic spot where white tuff has been eroded into strange shapes, offering an other-worldly panorama of white rock surfaces. It also holds interesting geological stories, such as the culture of "Sanukite" stones mined from ancient Mt. Nijo. You can enjoy modern shopping spots and natural formative beauty simultaneously, making it a perfect base for travelers wanting to actively explore western Nara.

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Katsuragi City

Katsuragi City, at the western edge of the Nara Basin and foot of Mt. Nijo, is known as the "Birthplace of Sumo," recorded in Japan's oldest official history, "Nihon Shoki." The local "Taima-dera Temple" is a renowned site housing Japan's oldest stone lantern and National Treasures from the Hakuho period, a mystical place with legends of mandalas. Surrounded by lush mountains, peaceful rural landscapes spread, and in autumn, the sunset over Mt. Nijo dyes the town golden. With traditional agriculture and fermentation culture still active, it's a heartwarming area where the calm daily life unique to regional Japanese cities harmonizes...

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Gose City

Gose City, in the southwestern Nara Basin, is a historical town at the foot of the Katsuragi range associated with ancient clans like the "Katsuragi" and "Kamo." The "Katsuragi Kodo," one of Japan's oldest roads, passes through, with shrines serving as stages for Japanese mythology and beautiful terraced rice fields still carefully protected. In "Gose-machi," retaining the Edo-period townhouse atmosphere, traditional sake and soy sauce breweries line the streets for a slow stroll. A ropeway climbs to the Mt. Katsuragi summit, world-famous for its azaleas. It's a calm and attractive area where the world of myth and Japan's peaceful satoyama...

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Tamaki Shrine

"Tamaki Shrine," located near the 1,076-meter summit of Mt. Tamaki in Totsukawa Village, is part of the World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" and a mystical power spot said to be reached "only by those called by the gods." The precincts are lined with giant trees radiating overwhelming vitality, including the "Jindai-sugi" cedar estimated to be over 3,000 years old, making you realize it is truly a mountain where gods reside. The shrine buildings nestled in the misty forest are enveloped in a dignified, sacred air, providing deep spiritual emotion to visitors. It is...

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Sky Village

"Sky Village" in Totsukawa Village is an entirely new experiential outdoor facility created by a French owner, where you spend time on nets and suspension bridges stretched between forest trees. On aerial platforms several meters above the ground, you can read while listening to birdsong or sway in a hammock, feeling as if you are truly "floating in the sky." Unlike athletic activities seeking adrenaline, its purpose is harmony with nature and quiet relaxation, allowing you to feel the life force of Japan's deep forests with your whole body. It is highly recommended for making unforgettable memories in the hidden...

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Nara Hotel

"Nara Hotel," standing on high ground in Nara Park, is a representative classic Japanese hotel founded in 1909 as the "Guest House of Kansai." The heavy wooden architecture, incorporating the Momoyama style by architect Kingo Tatsuno, exudes a unique elegance where East meets West. It has a history of hosting global VIPs such as Albert Einstein and Audrey Hepburn, with precious artworks and furnishings remaining throughout. Even non-guests can enjoy an elegant moment at the tea lounge while gazing at the beautiful garden, making it the best place for travelers wishing to experience the historical dignity and supreme hospitality of...

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Branciera Ishibutai

Located right next to the Ishibutai Burial Mound, "Branciera Ishibutai" is a modern facility that harmonizes with the historical landscape. It serves as a base for local tourist information and a resting space, making it ideal for a break during your stroll. The building's design respects the surrounding nature and ancient sites, offering exceptional views of the Ishibutai area. With nearby shops serving local ingredients and traditional sweets, it makes exploring Asuka's history more comfortable and rich. It is a convenient spot for travel planning, enjoying modern convenience while immersing yourself in ancient romance.

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Ishibutai Burial Mound

The "Ishibutai Burial Mound," symbolizing Asuka Village, is one of Japan's largest square tumuli, known for its unique appearance with an exposed horizontal stone chamber made of over 30 massive boulders. The total weight reaches about 2,300 tons, and how such giant rocks were transported in the 7th century remains a mystery. Once covered in earth, the stones remained after long years, earning the name from its stage-like shape. You can enter the stone chamber's interior and firsthand feel ancient technology and the scale of power in the massive, cool space. For travelers wanting to experience Asuka-period mysteries, it is...

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Amakashino-oka Hill

"Amakashino-oka" in Asuka Village is a gentle hill 148 meters high, appearing even in the Manyoshu poetry collection. It is a historical stage where the Soga clan is said to have built their residence, and today a walking path is maintained up to the observatory. From the summit, a 360-degree panoramic view unfolds, looking out over the Yamato Sanzan mountains, Asuka-dera Temple, and even the distant Katsuragi mountain range. Walking the hill colored by rapeseeds in spring and Manyo plants in autumn, you can re-experience the scenery ancient nobles must have seen. It is a spectacular scenic spot with pleasant...

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Asuka Palace Site

The "Asuka Palace Ruins" (traditionally the site of Asuka Itabuki-no-miya) in Asuka Village was the center of Japan in the 7th century and the stage for the major historical event, the Isshi Incident (Taika Reform). Today, ruins from overlapping eras are maintained on the vast site, with cobblestone plazas and drainage ditches conveying the state of the capital at that time. Though no buildings remain, the peaceful basin landscape surrounded by mountains is unchanged from 1,400 years ago, letting visitors feel the breath of ancient Japan. It serves as an ideal base for touring the village by rental cycle, allowing...

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Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound

"Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound" in Asuka Village is a circular tumulus built between the late 7th and early 8th centuries, which became world-famous after the 1972 discovery of vivid murals. Representations of female figures known as the "Asuka Beauties" and the Four Deities are historical evidence of cultural exchange with the mainland and the Korean Peninsula at that time, conveying the internationally rich culture of ancient Japan's nation-building era. While the original murals are strictly managed for preservation, visitors can view exquisite life-sized replicas at the adjacent "Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum." It's a place to simultaneously experience ancient history's mystery and artistic...

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Uda Mikumari Shrine

"Uda Mikumari Shrine" in Uda City is one of the four Mikumari shrines protecting the Yamato region, enshrining a deity presiding over water. The main hall, designated as a National Treasure, is a masterpiece of the San-ken-sha Nagare-zukuri style built in the Kamakura period; its elegant roof curves and delicate carvings symbolize the beauty of Japanese wooden architecture. Ancient trees stand in the precincts, creating a sacred silence along with the murmuring of the nearby Yoshino River. It is a precious sanctuary where one can feel the roots of Japanese spiritual culture, which has lived in harmony with nature and...

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Sumisaka Shrine

"Sumisaka Shrine," enshrined in Uda City, is known for worshipping Japan's oldest deity of health (and protection against epidemics). Its history is said to date back to the era of Emperor Jimmu, and the vermilion shrine buildings nestled in a deep forest stand out vividly against the surrounding greenery. Pure spring water flows within the precincts, cherished since ancient times as a place to purify body and mind. While there are no flashy tourist facilities, stepping inside reveals the silence and solemn air typical of a good old Japanese shrine. It is chosen by travelers wishing to touch traditional Japanese...

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Muro Ryuketsu Shrine

"Muro Ryuketsu Shrine" in Uda City, located near Muro-ji Temple, is a mystical shrine enshrining the Dragon God who has presided over water since ancient times. At the "Okunoin," a short climb from the main hall, there is the "Myokissho Ryuketsu," a giant rock crevice where legends say the Dragon God ascended to heaven. The precincts, surrounded by massive cedar trees, are dim even during the day and filled with a cool, sacred air, fitting the name "power spot." It is a spiritual sanctuary known to those in the know, where one can feel the depth of Japanese Dragon God...

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Koriyama Castle Ruins

"Yamatokoriyama Castle Ruins" is a grand castle site telling the history from the Sengoku to the Edo periods. The highlight is the magnificent stone walls showcasing the high technology of the time; rare remnants like the "Upside-down Jizo," where Buddhist statues and tombstones were repurposed as stones, can be seen. Today, the restored Ote-mon gate and corner towers recreate the former dignity, fascinating history fans. Selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots," the cherries blooming in spring to cover the stone walls add even more glamour to the castle landscape. It is an ideal spot for quiet...

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Yamatokoriyama City

Yamatokoriyama City, located in the northern Nara Basin, is a castle town that flourished around "Koriyama Castle," built by Toyotomi Hidenaga. Today, the castle ruins are known for their beautiful stone walls and cherry blossoms, perfect for historical strolls. Furthermore, this city is world-famous as the "City of Goldfish," with tanks and unique objects featuring swimming goldfish dotted everywhere, delighting visitors. Traditional indigo dyeing experiences and visiting cafes in old townhouses are also attractive. Located right next to ancient Nara, it is a fun town merging castle town vitality and unique goldfish culture, with discoveries at every turn.

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Omiwa Shrine

Omiwa Shrine in Sakurai City is one of Japan's oldest shrines, preserving an ancient form of faith where the mountain itself, "Mt. Miwa," is worshipped as the deity instead of having a main hall. Entering Mt. Miwa means stepping into a divine realm; its deep forest and crystal-clear air provide visitors with sacred power. The magnificent cedar trees lining the approach and the massive Torii gate are overwhelming in scale. Known as the birthplace of somen noodles, tasting the famous "Miwa Somen" after worship is also a delight. It is a supreme sanctuary for travelers wishing to touch Japan's primal...

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Isonokami Jingu Shrine

"Isonokami Jingu" in Tenri City is one of Japan's oldest shrines, a mystical place said to have enshrined weapons as the tutelary deity of the ancient Mononobe clan. The National Treasure worship hall is the oldest existing worship hall structure from the early Kamakura period, its heavy construction overwhelming visitors. Colorful chickens roam freely in the precincts, cherished as messengers of gods, a scene very popular as a unique landscape for overseas tourists. With the "Yamanobe-no-Michi," Japan's oldest road, passing nearby, this place where the breath of ancient Japan can still be felt is a supreme sanctuary for travelers wanting...

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