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Oyodo Town

Oyodo Town, connecting the Nara Basin and the mountains of Yoshino, is a fertile town known as the gateway to the World Heritage Mt. Yoshino and as the "Home of Pears." Especially in the pear orchards of the Oyada Plateau, white flowers cover the land in spring, and the area bustles with people enjoying the harvest in autumn. On the hills overlooking the clear streams of the Yoshino River, there are historical stages mentioned in the Manyoshu, as well as beautiful golf courses and campgrounds. It offers a pleasant landscape merging urban convenience with rich nature, making it a perfect...

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Shimoichi Town

Shimoichi Town, at the entrance to Mt. Yoshino, is a historical town that once flourished as a Yoshino timber and commerce hub, also known as the place where "disposable chopsticks" (waribashi) were first made in Japan. In the Edo period, it was so bustling it was called "Shimoichi Sen-ken" (a thousand houses), remnants of which can still be seen in the heavy townscapes. It is also a production area for "Shimoichi Persimmons," a famous autumn taste; trees laden with fruit symbolize the satoyama autumn. With traditional "hand-made washi" skills and many historic temples, it is a deep place to thoroughly...

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Nosegawa Village

Nosegawa Village, adjacent to Mt. Koya in southwestern Nara, is one of Japan's least populated municipalities, a place where overwhelming "silence" and "mystery" are preserved. Famous for being prone to sea of clouds, the sight of mountains floating in a sea of white mist in the early morning is truly an other-worldly heavenly realm. The Kohechi route of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo passes through, with a sacred air where pilgrims purified their minds still lingering. Home to "Tatsuri Kojin," one of Japan's three major Kojin shrines, the high-altitude precincts offer views of the Kii Mountains. It is the ultimate...

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Yamazoe Village

Yamazoe Village, in the Yamato Highlands of northeastern Nara, is a mystical and peaceful village featuring megalithic worship sites and beautiful tea plantations. Mysterious massive rocks like the "Ushigamine Iwaya Masugata" and "Mt. Kono," said to be related to stellar movements, allow you to feel the awe ancient people held for rocks and stars. At Mt. Kono, azaleas blooming in early summer and camping under starry skies are popular. It is also a production area for high-quality "Yamato Tea," with orderly tea plantations representing traditional Japanese beauty. It's a place for a spiritual satoyama experience of stones, stars, and greenery,...

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Kurotaki Village

Kurotaki Village, located almost in the center of Nara and called the "Navel of Yoshino," is a village full of wood warmth surrounded by beautiful cedar forests and clear streams. Forests cover about 97% of the village, and traditional Yoshino forestry skills still live on. Centered around the roadside station "Yoshinoji Kurotaki," it features extensive outdoor spots for families, such as suspension bridge adventures and BBQ along beautiful mountain streams. The food culture utilizing mountain blessings like local "konnyaku" and "wild boar dishes" is also a major attraction. Spending time listening to the murmuring river in deep green mountains teaches...

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Mitsue Village

Mitsue Village, at the eastern end of Nara on the border with Mie, is a sacred land with legends that Princess Yamato-hime-no-mikoto placed her staff (mitsue) here while searching for a place to enshrine Amaterasu-omikami. The village symbol, "Mt. Mitsune," is famous for its beautiful "soft rime" in winter, attracting many hikers seeking the crystalline spectacular view of white trees. With streetscapes retaining remnants of a post town on the Ise Hon-kaido and campgrounds known for beautiful starry skies, it is an area where seasonal nature and legends resonate. It promises a soul-cleansing experience for those wanting to feel the...

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Takatori Town

Takatori Town in central Nara is a historical town that developed as the castle town of "Takatori Castle," one of Japan's three major mountain castles. The castle ruins atop the 584-meter summit currently have no buildings, but the massive stone walls convey its former majesty, praised as "Japan's best mountain castle" for appearing to float in the sky. The "Tosa Kaido" at the foot is lined with old townhouses since the Edo period; the "Townhouse Doll Tour" in spring is particularly charming for its warm atmosphere valuing regional tradition. It also has history as one of Japan's leading "medicine towns,"...

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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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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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