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Kashihara Jingu Shrine

Kashihara Jingu Shrine

"Kashihara Jingu," enshrining Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is a shrine boasting the character of a sacred site of Japan's founding, established in the Meiji era. The vast grounds feature solemn wooden buildings including the Main Hall, relocated from the Kashikodokoro of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, creating a refreshing yet sacred atmosphere in harmony with Mt. Unebi (one of the Yamato Sanzan) soaring behind. Stepping inside, urban bustle vanishes, and one can feel the longevity of Japanese history and prayers for peace. Especially crowded during New Year's, it is usually quiet and ideal for travelers wishing to...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Imai-cho, Kashihara

Imai-cho, Kashihara

"Imai-cho" in Kashihara City was constructed as a temple town during the Sengoku period and is the site of a commercial city that once flourished so much it was said, "70% of Yamato's wealth is in Imai" during the Edo period. About 500 traditional townhouses remain, and the entire district is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, maintaining a spectacular view where time seems to have stopped in the Edo period. People still live here; walking through maze-like narrow alleys, one is struck by the beauty of magnificent stone walls and lattice doors born from...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Byobu-iwa Rock (Soni)

Byobu-iwa Rock (Soni)

"Byobu-iwa (Folding Screen Rock)" in Soni Village is a spectacular scenic spot with a sheer cliff about 200 meters high and 2 kilometers long, looking like a massive folding screen as its name suggests. Designated as a National Natural Monument, its geometric rock surface with columnar joints created by volcanic activity tells of nature's power. In spring, mountain cherries bloom at the rock's base, and in autumn, foliage vividly colors the vertical walls, creating a spectacular view like a single painting. A public park is maintained at the foot of the rock, making it an ideal spot for travelers wanting...

Nara
Nature
Spring
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Winter

Kinpusen-ji Temple

Kinpusen-ji Temple

"Kinpusen-ji Temple," soaring on Mt. Yoshino, is the head temple of Shugendo and a representative sacred site of Nara registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The National Treasure main hall "Zao-do" boasts a scale second only to Todai-ji's Daibutsuden among wooden structures, its overwhelming presence taking one's breath away. Enshrined inside are three massive blue 7-meter-tall Buddhas, "Kongo Zao Daigongen," whose mystical appearance combining mercy and power shakes the souls of visitors. The precincts, enveloped in cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, are filled with the prayer energy of Yamabushi monks who have trained for over 1,300 years,...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Amatsuji Pass

"Amatsuji Pass" in Gojo City is known as a difficult spot on a historical highway connecting Nara and Wakayama. Located at an altitude of about 800 meters, the panoramic view of the continuous peaks of the Omine mountain range and the sea of clouds spreading below is an overwhelming spectacular view. It's also known as the place where the Tenchu-gumi loyalists of the late Edo period established their headquarters, carrying a heavy atmosphere as a stage of history. Currently popular as a resting spot for drives and touring, the clear mountain air and dynamic landscape provide a refreshing impression to...

Nara
Nature
Spring
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Winter

Gojo City Folk Museum

Gojo City Folk Museum

Utilizing the building of the former Gojo District Court constructed in 1874, the "Gojo City Folk Museum" is a precious cultural heritage conveying remnants of the Meiji era. Inside, many valuable materials regarding Gojo's history, local life culture, and the "Tenchu-gumi Incident" that occurred during the turbulent end of the Edo period are displayed. Through the appearance of the courtroom at that time, traditional farming tools, and daily items, you can deeply learn about Japan's modernization process and the wisdom of regional people. Located near Shinmachi-dori with its historical townscape, it is an essential spot for travelers wanting to experience...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Obikawa Niu Shrine

Obikawa Niu Shrine

"Obikawa Niu Shrine," enshrined in Obikawa, Gojo City, is a mystical shrine that has gathered faith since ancient times as a deity presiding over water. Located on the banks of the Niu River, a tributary of the Yoshino River, the area is protected by deep forests and pure water. Upon entering the precincts, you are enveloped in a sacred air created by giant trees and the murmuring stream, where you can feel the roots of Japanese nature worship (animism). Its charm lies in a simple beauty where nature and the shrine buildings appear integrated, without flashy decorations. It is a...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Ano Imperial Palace Site

Ano Imperial Palace Site

This monument in the Anō district of Gojo City symbolizes the turbulent history of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-cho period, where three successive emperors, including Emperor Go-Daigo, stayed here as their Imperial Palace. Surrounded by thatched-roof old houses and beautiful plum groves, a pride as a former capital and a silence watching over the transitions of eras drift here. It is an important stage in the history of the Japanese Imperial Family and a deeply moving spot for history fans. While there are no flashy decorations, its appearance nestled quietly in the mountains lets you feel Japanese resilience and...

Nara
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Gojo Shinmachi-dori Street

Gojo Shinmachi-dori Street

"Gojo Shinmachi-dori Street" in Gojo City features heavy townhouses from the Edo period that flourished as a post town on the Ise Kaido, remaining for about 1 km as a historical landscape. Starting with the "Kuriyama Residence," said to be Japan's oldest private house, beautifully lined buildings with white walls and lattice windows represent the very essence of Edo-period atmosphere. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, you can re-experience the prosperity of the time and the history of Omi merchants just by walking. Recently, sophisticated cafes and restaurants in renovated old buildings have increased, allowing...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Oka Hachimangu Shrine

Oka Hachimangu Shrine

"Oka Hachimangu Shrine" in Gojo City is a shrine conveying history and tradition to the present, long loved by local people. Ancient giant trees stand surrounding the magnificent shrine buildings, and dignified, quiet time flows through the precincts. While not a flashy tourist spot, what exists here is an "authentic form of faith" rooted in regional Japan. Seasonal festivals provide precious opportunities to observe regional solidarity and traditional rituals up close. For travelers wanting to feel a simple yet powerful Japanese spirituality and regional bonds, different from the glamour of ancient Nara, this is a soul-resting place.

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Narukawa Senko-ji Temple

Narukawa Senko-ji Temple

"Narukawa Senko-ji Temple," located near Mt. Shigi in Heguri Town, is a sacred site of Shugendo said to have been opened by En-no-Gyoja and is a venerable ancient temple known affectionately as "Moto-Sanjō" (Original Mt. Sanjo). The precincts, enveloped in deep forest, feature a training ground set against a massive rock wall where rigorous ascetic practices are still conducted today. Visitors are surrounded by the sounds of water and birds echoing in the silence, feeling a sacred air that makes one forget daily life. With beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves, it is a hidden gem for travelers...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Kamiyu Onsen

"Kamiyu Onsen," located even deeper in the mountains along the Kamiyu River from Totsukawa Onsen, is a hidden spa where the word "hideaway" fits perfectly. Some inns feature wild open-air baths built directly on the riverbed, allowing for a bathing experience that feels integrated with nature while listening to the murmuring stream. The water is slightly hot and is a sodium bicarbonate spring said to have high skin-beautifying effects. There are few private houses nearby, and you can gaze at the starry sky at night. It is a sanctuary giving ultimate healing to travelers wanting to feel the spirit of...

Nara
Accommodation
Spring
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Winter

Totsukawa Onsen

Totsukawa Onsen

Located in southern Totsukawa Village, "Totsukawa Onsen" is the busiest hot spring area in the village, spreading along the shores of Lake Futatsuno Dam. Despite its relatively recent history, having been discovered by a charcoal burner in 1904, it is world-renowned as the first onsen area in Japan to make a "100% Free-flowing Source Water Declaration." The open-air baths where you soak while feeling the refreshing breeze across the lake surface are exceptional, offering views of the seasonal colors of the mountains. With eateries and footbaths nearby, it serves as a resting base for hikers on the Kumano Kodo and...

Nara
Accommodation
Spring
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Winter

Tosenji Onsen

Located almost in the center of Totsukawa Village, "Tosenji Onsen" is the oldest hot spring in the village, a hidden spa where Sengoku warlords are said to have healed their wounds. Inns are dotted on high ground overlooking the clear streams of the Totsukawa River, and every facility offers the luxury of "100% free-flowing source water" bathing. The water, with a faint scent of sulfur, has a skin-smoothing effect and heals travel fatigue from the core. The quiet environment surrounded by deep green mountains is ideal for travelers wanting to escape urban bustle and immerse themselves in Japan's rich nature...

Nara
Accommodation
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Kumano Kodo / Hatenashi

Kumano Kodo / Hatenashi

"Hatenashi Settlement" in Totsukawa Village is a beautiful village truly worthy of being called a "Village in the Sky," located along the Kohechi route of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo. Traditional old houses line the mountain ridge, and the cobblestones of the ancient path passing through them are engraved with the long history of pilgrims. The view of overlapping mountains from the settlement is filled with silence and beauty that makes you completely forget daily bustle. It conveys the peaceful life of people living in harmony with nature, Japan's original landscape, making it a sanctuary for a lifelong memory for...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Tanise Suspension Bridge

Tanise Suspension Bridge

A representative spot of Totsukawa Village, the "Tanise Suspension Bridge" is one of Japan's largest wire bridges for daily use, measuring 297 meters long and 54 meters high. Walking across the bridge suspended over the massive Totsukawa canyon offers a simultaneous experience of the thrill of swaying with each step and a panoramic view of the emerald green river surface below. The sensation of being enveloped by mountains and sky is truly like an "aerial walk." Courageously crossing to the other side reveals the lifestyle of deep mountain villages, a place where nature's grandeur and human wisdom merge for a...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Dorokyo Gorge / Doro-hatcho

Dorokyo Gorge / Doro-hatcho

"Dorokyo Gorge," straddling the borders of Totsukawa Village, Wakayama, and Mie, is a grand canyon designated as a National Special Scenic Spot. The area known as "Doro-hatcho" is particularly stunning, featuring steep cliffs and strangely shaped rocks continuing for 1.2 km, weaving a mystical view with cobalt blue waters. Viewing the sheer cliffs from a sightseeing water-jet boat or river boat is overwhelming, and the seasonal colors of the mountains reflected on the water look like a painting. This is an indispensable and moving spot for travelers wanting to feel the dynamic formative beauty of Japan's nature firsthand.

Nara
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Sasa-no-Taki Waterfall

Sasa-no-Taki Waterfall

"Sasa-no-Taki Waterfall," nestled deep within the mountains of Totsukawa Village, is a renowned waterfall selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. The sight of water cascading down a massive rock wall for approximately 32 meters, combined with the surrounding primeval forest, radiates a divineness that leaves visitors speechless. The area around the basin is filled with overlapping giant boulders and the intense spray of crystal-clear water, brimming with powerful natural energy. The path to reach it is by no means flat, but what awaits is an overwhelming silence and beauty worthy of the name "hidden region." It is a...

Nara
Nature
Spring
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Winter

Kashihara City

Kashihara City, located in central Nara, is a historical stronghold known as the "Birthplace of Japan," where Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor, is said to have ascended the throne. The city encapsulates various eras of Japan, from the grand Kashihara Jingu Shrine to Imai-cho, where over 500 Edo-period townhouses are preserved, and the Fujiwara-kyo Ruins, Japan's first full-scale capital. Beyond its historical depth, it offers modern conveniences like shopping malls, making it an excellent base for tourism. It is an energetic city that stimulates intellectual curiosity, allowing you to trace Japan's journey from its beginnings to the present day.

Nara
Area Info
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Rokkayen

"Rokkayen," located near Nara Park, is a hidden gem where you can enjoy Nara's unique "food" and "hospitality" alongside a beautiful Japanese garden. Spending time tasting kaiseki cuisine using abundant local ingredients or traditional Japanese sweets while gazing at the meticulously maintained garden is a truly blissful moment. Although iconic historical structures of Nara are dotted nearby, once you step inside, a silence that lets you forget the urban bustle spreads out. For travelers wanting to enjoy traditional Japanese spatial beauty and gastronomy simultaneously, it's a sophisticated place that makes a trip to Nara deeper and more luxurious.

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring

Fudo Enmei Waterfall

Fudo Enmei Waterfall

"Fudo Enmei Waterfall" in the Yainai district of Uda City is a waterfall with a mystical atmosphere where pure water slides down rock surfaces surrounded by deep greenery. As its name suggests, Fudo Myoo is enshrined here, and it has long been cherished as a place of faith for wishing for longevity and health. The surrounding nature is beautiful in all seasons, with the cool summer and the autumn foliage coloring the falls being particularly spectacular. It's a hidden gem not often listed in tourist guides, but the crystal-clear air and the sound of water heal daily fatigue and recharge...

Nara
Nature
Spring
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Winter

Ishii-dera Temple

Ishii-dera Temple

"Ishii-dera Temple" in the Ossaka district of Sakurai City is a small temple housing the Important Cultural Property "Stone Bas-relief of Yakushi Triad," said to be Japan's oldest stone Buddha. Crafted in the late 7th century, this triad is carved in relief onto a massive sandstone block, and its smile possesses a gentle beauty evoking the "Asuka Smile." The delicate carving marks remaining after many years tell of the deep prayers and high technology of people at that time. Located in a quiet residential area away from the main tourist centers, it is a precious place giving unforgettable emotion to...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Shorin-ji Temple

Shorin-ji Temple

"Shōrin-ji Temple," standing on high ground in Sakurai City, is a historic temple established in the Nara period, enshrining the National Treasure "Eleven-headed Kannon Bosatsu Standing Statue," one of Japan's most beautiful Buddhist statues. Its form, once highly praised by Ernest Fenollosa, possesses exquisite features and graceful limbs, deeply healing the hearts of beholders. The view from the precincts overlooking the Yamato Basin is also superb, allowing for a quiet gaze at scenery symbolizing the dawn of Japan, such as Mt. Miwa and Hashihaka Burial Mound. It is a renowned temple highly recommended for sensitive travelers wishing to thoroughly savor...

Nara
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Mahoroba Lake

"Mahoroba Lake," formed by the Otaki Dam in Sakurai City, is a spot featuring dynamic scenery woven by steep surrounding mountains and blue lake waters. Parks and walking trails are developed around the lake, allowing for leisurely nature strolls while enjoying seasonal changes in the mountains. Especially, the beauty of fresh greenery or autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface is exceptional, making it a popular spot for photography. An annexed museum where you can learn about dam structures also allows you to feel the coexistence of Japanese water management technology and the natural environment. It is an ideal place...

Nara
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter