Nara is the ancient capital city where Heijo-kyo Capital was located until about 1,300 years ago. Nara is rich in historical buildings and cultural heritage, including Todaiji Temple, where the Great Buddha (Todaiji Rushanabutsu statue) is located, Horyuji Temple and Chuguji Temple associated with Prince Shotoku, Yakushiji Temple built by Emperor Temmu, and Kofukuji Temple associated with Kamatoku Fujiwara.
In the Yoshino area in the southern part of the prefecture, there is Mt. Yoshino, where 1,000 cherry trees are in full bloom during the spring cherry blossom season, and the Kumano Kodo Trail, which is also known as a World Heritage Site. This sightseeing area is also easily accessible from urban areas such as Kyoto and Osaka.
To enjoy sightseeing in Nara Prefecture
About 1,300 years ago, Nara Prefecture was the site of Heijo-kyo, the capital of Japan at that time. The Todaiji Temple, which houses the famous statue of the Great Buddha (Todaiji Rushanabutsu), is home to the Shosoin Repository, which houses a large collection of historical artifacts.
There are also Horyu-ji Temple and Chugu-ji Temple, both associated with Prince Shotoku; Yakushi-ji Temple, built by Emperor Temmu; Kofuku-ji Temple, associated with Kamatari Fujiwara; Toshodai-ji Temple, built by the indomitable Japanese Buddhist monk Kanjin Wajo; Kashihara Shrine, where Emperor Jinmu and his wife are enshrined; Ojinsha, considered one of the oldest shrines in Japan; Kasuga Taisha, the headquarters of the Kasuga Shrines across Japan, and many others. Kasuga Taisha, the headquarters of all Kasuga shrines in Japan.
Meanwhile, the southern part of the prefecture is dotted with rich natural beauty. Yoshino Mountain, with Kinpusenji Temple and other temples, offers a spectacular view of cherry blossoms during the spring cherry blossom season, including the Senbonzakura cherry blossoms.
In mountainous Yoshino County, the Kumano Kodo (Kobenji and Omine Okugakemichi), also known as a World Heritage Site, leads to the Kumano Sanzan in the distance, and is dotted with mysterious spots such as Shatorokyo, Tanise no Suspension Bridge, Godaimatsu Cave, and Tamaki Shrine.
Sightseeing in the southern area is a bit of a journey, but this is a tourist area for experts, where you can relax after a long day at hot springs such as Totsukawa Onsen and Dorogawa Onsen in the mountains.
History of Nara Prefecture
There are many ancient burial mounds, including Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus, which are believed to be the tombs of powerful families, and the Nara area has prospered as the home of powerful families since the Kofun period. During the Yamato and Asuka periods, the capital was located in present-day Kashihara City and Takaichi County, and later, Heijo-kyo, a full-fledged capital city modeled after China, was built.
Many temples and shrines were built due to the influence of Shinto beliefs by the Yamato Imperial Court and the spread of Buddhism, which was a national policy, but the capital was moved to Kyoto in 794. In 794, the capital was moved to Kyoto. After that, the Nara area was controlled by powerful clans, and during the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Emperor Godaigo temporarily established the Yoshino dynasty, but other than that, the history of the area progressed without major disruptions until the modern era.
Nara has flourished as a tourist destination, but nowadays it also shows its character as a bedroom town supplying many workers to Osaka.
Local Gourmet, Food Culture, and Specialties of Nara Prefecture
Kakinoha sushi, in which fish is wrapped in persimmon leaves to keep it from spoiling, is famous. Asuka nabe, which is said to have been introduced along with Buddhism, is a rare dish in which ingredients are stewed in milk. Visitors can also taste vegetarian food such as sesame tofu, which is a meal for Buddhist monks.
Miwa somen, one of the three major producers of hand-pulled somen noodles, is a nationally famous brand of somen noodles, a specialty with an excellent texture and firmness. Yoshino kuzu is valued as a rare natural material and is used in Japanese confectionery and cuisine. In sweetness, Asuka Ruby, strawberries called red jewels, are produced and can be enjoyed as fruit, juice, or sweets.
For souvenirs, the dairy product Su, which has been made since ancient times, is popular. Other products on sale include sweets shaped like deer poo and a rare Nara pickle made into cookies. Although not a gourmet food, Nara Prefecture is also famous for its brushes and ink, so you may want to add these to your list of potential souvenirs for your loved ones.
Todaiji Temple occupies a vast area at the foot of Mt. It is home to many national treasures and important cultural properties, including Rushanabutsu, popularly known as Nara's Great Buddha. It is one of the eight properties included in the World Heritage Site "Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara....»
The famous 50.1 meter high five-story pagoda was built in 730, and the present pagoda, rebuilt in 1426, is the second tallest existing wooden pagoda in Japan after the five-story pagoda at Toji Temple and is designated as a national treasure. The five-story pagoda is illuminated at night and is one of Nara's most beautiful landscapes, and the reflection of the five-story pagoda in Sawaike Pond is...»
Nara Park is an urban park where you can enjoy the seasonal beauty of the city. It spans a vast area of 660 hectares, approximately 4 km east to west and 2 km north to south, and includes such famous sites as Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Shosoin Temple, Nara National Museum, Wakakusa Mountain, and Kasuga Mountain. The park is home to approximately 1,300 deer, designated ...»
This beautiful and historic shrine is located in Nara Park and is the head shrine of approximately 1,000 Kasuga shrines throughout Japan. It is registered as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites "Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara. The former name of the shrine was "Kasuga Shrine," and its divine crest is a "falling wisteria. The history of the shrine dates back to the Nara period when the ca...»
Founded in 680, Yakushiji Temple is the head temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism and one of the Seven Great Temples of the Southern Capital. It is registered by UNESCO as one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites "Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara". The background of the temple's construction was to pray for the healing of the Empress Tenmu's illness. The large temple complex was one of the m...»
Located at the eastern edge of Nara Park, this 342-meter-high, 33-hectare mountain is one of the symbolic landscapes of Nara, with its gently sloping mountainside covered with grass. Deer roam freely here, and the scenery changes with the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to autumn leaves and silver grass in fall. From the summit, you can see the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, the fi...»
The Wakakusa Yaki is a traditional event held on the 342-meter-high, 33-hectare grass-covered mountain at the eastern edge of Nara Park to herald the arrival of spring in the ancient capital of Nara. The sight of the mountainside engulfed in flames is spectacular, and the intensity of the flames burning up the night sky is a spectacularly beautiful sight that can truly be called a festival of fla...»
Yoshikien is a Japanese garden located next to the Xuanzun River (Yoshiki River), which is mentioned in the Manyoshu poetry anthology. The garden was created by skillfully incorporating the undulations and curves of the terrain, and the cedar moss and autumn leaves blend beautifully against the backdrop of Kasuga Mountain and Wakakusa Mountain. The garden includes the former Shohoin family reside...»
Sarusawa Pond, with a circumference of 360 meters, is located in Nara Park. The five-story pagoda of Kofukuji Temple and the willows in the pond are reflected on the surface of the water, creating a beautiful scene. Because of its beauty, the pond was selected as one of the eight scenic spots in the southern part of Nara. Sarusawa Pond is a man-made pond created by Kofukuji Temple in 749. It is ...»
The garden, designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government, is a large area of garden with a circular path around a pond, divided into two parts, the front garden and the rear garden, each with different scenery. The former garden was created in 1673 during the Edo period by Michikiyo Kiyosumi, an official merchant of the Nara government, and includes the teahouses Sanshutei, G...»
This museum is located in the Japanese garden "Isuien," which is designated as a national place of scenic beauty. It houses more than 2,000 pieces of ancient Chinese bronzes, ancient mirrors, ancient bronze seals, rubbings, and Japanese calligraphy, paintings, and tea ceramics from China, Korea, the Yi Dynasty, and Japan, including one book (13 drawings) in light color on paper from Tanomura Take...»
Located north-northwest of the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple in Nara Park, this is a large Shosoin (high-story warehouse) built in the schoolhouse style. Built around 759, this storehouse of treasures still retains its original form and has been handed down to the present day without being damaged by war or natural disasters. The treasury housed objects related to Emperor Shomu and Empress...»
This 1.3 hectare garden stretches to the south of Ukimido and Sagi-ike Pond at the southern end of Nara Park. The garden was created by the Yamaguchi family, an Osaka conglomerate, during the Meiji and Taisho periods, and is designated as "Nara Park of Scenic Beauty," a national cultural asset, for its spectacular view of Mount Yu and the Sagi-ike pond. It was also a place where painters and tea...»
The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (former Main Building) houses approximately 100 Buddhist statues, including national treasures and important cultural properties. The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall was designed in 1894 by Katayama Tokuma, a Meiji-era court architect who also designed the Akasaka Imperial Villa (State Guest House), and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It has many ex...»
Also known as Gokurakubō, Gankō-ji Temple is one of the parent temples of Hokkō-ji Temple (now Asukadera Temple), the oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple in Japan, and was historically known as one of the seven great temples of the southern capital. The main hall and Zen room, both built in the Nara period (710-794), are designated as national treasures, and the temple has many temple treasures, ...»
Heijo Palace became the center of the capital when it was relocated from Fujiwara-kyo in 710. The palace was the center of the capital when it was relocated from the Fujiwara-kyo capital in 710. The palace was composed of the imperial residence (uchiura), the chodoin (chodoin) where ceremonies were held, and government offices where officials performed their duties, covering a total area of about...»
It is said that Empress Komyo built this temple in 747 to pray for the healing of Emperor Shomu's illness. The name "Shin-Yakushiji Temple" means "new experience of spiritual power. The temple was once one of the ten largest temples in the Nanto area, and although it has shrunk in size since the Heian period (794-1185), it still retains many cultural assets, including the main hall, which is a n...»
The head temple of the Ritsu sect of Buddhism, Toshodaiji is dedicated to the Rushanabutsu (national treasure). The temple was founded in 759 by the Tang Dynasty monk Ganjin, and was built on the site of a former residence of a member of the imperial family that was given to him by the Imperial Court. It is also the place where Ganjin spent the last years of his life. The temple houses many cultu...»
Floating on the surface of Sagi-ike Pond, this hexagonal hall with cypress bark roof is beautifully reflected on the surface of the pond and is popular as a place for relaxation and recreation by the water. Ukimido-Do was built in 1916 and rebuilt in 1994. It is illuminated at night. The surrounding cherry blossoms and sarsaparilla are also magnificent, and in the fall, visitors can enjoy the be...»
This ancient temple boasts many important cultural properties and buildings from the Fujiwara and Kamakura periods, such as the tower gate, the kori (storehouse), and the main hall, all within its spacious precincts. The temple grounds are decorated with beautiful flowers from season to season, and the beauty of the Hirado azalea, which blooms from late April to early May, is especially breathtak...»
This shrine is deeply related to ice and is a place of worship. It began in 710 during the Nara period (710-710) when the emperor Genmei ordered the worship of an ice god in an ice house (ice storage facility) built on Kasuga Mountain upstream of the Yoshijo River. Ice was stored in the ice house after it was frozen in the severe cold at an ice pond in Kasugano, and was delivered to Heijo-kyo Ca...»
Located in the middle of the Yamanobe no Michi, known as the oldest existing road in Japan, this ancient shrine enshrines the deity Futomikami-no-Okami. From the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era (1868-1912), it was called "Igami-San. In the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), only Ise Jingu Shrine and Ishigami Jingu Shrine are mentioned as shrines, and Ishigami Jingu Shrine is described as t...»
Koriyama Castle was once the residence of Hashiba Hidenaga, the half-brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in 1585 during the Toyotomi administration, and was the center of his domain of 1,000,000 koku of Yamato, Kii, and Izumi. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the Koriyama clan's government office was located here. It is now designated as a national historic site. The first sighting of Koriyama Castle d...»
This amusement park is located on top of Mt. Ikoma, which straddles Nara and Osaka Prefectures at an elevation of 642 meters. It is cool in summer and has more than 30 amusement facilities, including a pet pet petting zoo where visitors can interact with dogs, cats, and other small animals, and a flying carpet with a large spinning wheel. Opened in 1929, the amusement park has Japan's oldest larg...»
The official kanji for Hozanji Temple is Hozan-ji, and it is also called Ikoma Shoden or Ikoma no Shoden-san because it enshrines Shoden as a guardian deity. Located halfway up Mount Ikoma, which is said to have been a place of ascetic practice for En no Gyoja (En no Shokaku), the temple is known for its belief in Shoden, one of Japan's three holy heavenly deities enshrining the god of commerce, ...»
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, the oldest shrine in Yamato Province, with Mt. The shrine does not have a main shrine building, but rather worships directly Mt. Because it is worshipped directly, it does not have a main shrine. It is called Miwa Myojin, and was renamed Ookami Shrine in the Meiji era (1868-1912). There are three Iwakura (rock formations) in the mountain: Okutsu Banza, Nakatsu...»
Shigisan Chogosonshiji Temple, also known as Shigisan-ji Temple, is a temple built on the mountainside of Mount Shigi with Bishamonten as its principal deity. Also called the "Tiger Temple," the temple grounds are filled with tigers. At the entrance is the world's largest papier-mâché tiger with an electrically operated head. Shigisan is also famous for cherry blossom viewing, when the entire mo...»
Tatsuta Park is an urban park located in a 14-hectare riverside green area stretching approximately 2 km along the Tatsuta River. The poem "Chihayaburu Jindai-mo" was written by the Heian-period poet, Urahara no Narihira.The Tatsuta River is a famous riverbed green along the Tatsuta River. The poem is also included in the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems) by Noin Hokushi, who wrote, "The maple ...»
Horyu-ji Temple is a Buddhist complex that preserves the appearance of an ancient temple built by Prince Shotoku in 607 during the reign of Emperor Suiko. It was called Ikaruga-ji Temple when it was built and later renamed Horyu-ji Temple. The precincts of the temple cover an area of approximately 187,000 square meters, and are divided into the Sai-in Temple complex, centering on Kondo and the fi...»
The main shrine, thirteen-story pagoda, and gonden are decorated with beautiful colors and are called the "Nikko of Kansai. The main hall is said to have been modeled after the construction of Nikko Toshogu, a rare example of the kasuga-zukuri style with sangensha and sumiki-iris (a three-sectioned shrine with a wooden roof). The world's only existing wooden 13-story pagoda, rebuilt in 1532, is ...»
Located halfway up Mt. Hatsuse, Hase-dera Temple is famous for its peonies, and from late April to early May, more than 7,000 peony plants of over 150 varieties are in full bloom. The temple has long been called "the temple of flowers" and has appeared in many classical literature such as "The Tale of Genji," "The Pillow Book," and "Sarashina Nikki (Sarashina Diary). The "two cedars" are mention...»
The main deity is Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri), a Buddha who presides over wisdom, known for the phrase, "When Three Men Come Together, Monju Wisdom," and the temple is known as one of the three Monju shrines in Japan. Many people visit the temple to pray for success in entrance exams, academic achievement, and to ward off evil spirits and evil luck. It is said that the Yin-Yang master Abe no Seimei...»
This park preserves the natural and cultural heritage of Asuka, the ancient capital of Japan, the birthplace of the centralized Ritsuryo State, and tells the history of the Asuka Period (592 - 710). The park, with a total area of approximately 60 hectares, where many historical sites of the Asuka period have been excavated, is divided into five areas: the Takamatsuzuka area, Ishibutai area, Amaga...»
Asuka-dera is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan with a full-scale temple complex, built in the late 6th or early 7th century at the request of Soga Umako, a minister of the Asuka period. The present main hall was rebuilt in 1826 at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Inside the main hall, there is the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan, called the "Asuka Daibutsu," which is the principal image ...»
Located in Asuka Historical Park, this is the largest square burial mound in Japan. It is a valuable burial mound from the late Kofun period and is designated as a Special Historic Site of Japan. Although the burial site is unknown, it is believed to be the tomb of Soga Umako, a minister of the Asuka period. The tomb mound is generally rectangular in shape, surrounded by a 5.9-8.4 meter wide moa...»
Although its official name is Minami Hokke-ji Temple, it is commonly known as Tsubosakadera Temple, located halfway up Mount Takatori, overlooking the Nara Basin. It is one of the oldest temples, said to have been founded in 703, and is the 6th of the 33 temples in the western part of Japan, attracting many worshippers from all over the country. It is believed to be a temple that protects people...»
The valley is located in the lower reaches of the Sanjo River, which flows from Omine Mountain, and its beautiful scenery of cascading waterfalls of various sizes, surrounded by huge stones and oddly shaped rocks, can be enjoyed in all four seasons. The beauty of the valley attracts visitors throughout the four seasons: spring with its fresh green foliage, summer with its splashing water and colo...»
Dorogawa Onsen is located on the banks of the Yamakami River, which is also the source of the Kumano River, at a cool altitude of 820 meters above sea level, and is so cool and refreshing that it is called the Karuizawa of the Kansai region. Dorogawa Onsen Town is the trailhead for Omineyama, Yamagamigatake, and Women's Omine and Inamuragatake. Omine is a women-only mountain that Shugendo practi...»
The stalactites and stalagmites in this mysterious and beautiful cave are rich in expression. The total length of the cave is 170m, and the largest cave is approximately 5 to 6m in diameter and more than 10m high. Located at an elevation of 878m, the cave is a natural refrigerator that maintains a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius all year round, and the stone Buddha of Fudo is enshrined at the de...»
Also called Tenkawa Shrine, it is one of the three major Benzaiten shrines in Japan along with Itsukushima and Chikubushima. Benzaiten (Princess Ichikishimahime no Mikoto), Kumano Gongen, and Yoshino Gongen are enshrined here. The shrine still retains the form of Shintoism and Buddhism, and the shrine at the foot of Mt. Misen, the highest peak in the Omine Mountains, was known as Yoshino-Kumano N...»
The Tanise Suspension Bridge, which spans the Totsu River (Kumano River), is 297.7 meters long and 54 meters above the surface of the river, making it the longest suspension bridge in Japan for daily use. It is known as one of the village's tourist attractions because of the thrilling sensation it provides as it sways and shakes as you walk on it. Especially during Golden Week and the Bon Festiv...»