Kuuchuu no Mura, meaning “The Village in the Sky,” is an innovative outdoor leisure facility in Ogawa, Totsukawa Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture. Opened in April 2020, it offers visitors an unusual way to experience the forest, creating the sensation of floating among the trees. Inspired by the concept of an adult playground brought from France to one of Japan’s most remote regions, the facility invites guests to discover a different kind of outdoor adventure.
Approximately 96% of Totsukawa Village is covered by forest, making it an ideal setting for this nature-focused attraction. Platforms and recreational spaces are suspended between 4 and 12 meters above the ground, allowing visitors of different generations to enjoy the woodland from a new perspective. The facility promotes an experience that can be enjoyed by people ranging from young children to older adults, with activities designed to help guests feel connected to the surrounding forest.
One of the main attractions is the Sky Walk, a network of suspended net bridges and wooden platforms connecting the trees. Walking along these flexible pathways high above the forest floor creates the sensation of moving through the treetops like a bird.
As the winding bridges lead from one platform to another, the view changes continuously, revealing the forest from different angles. In spring, the surrounding vegetation comes alive with fresh growth and flowers. Summer brings cool breezes through the trees, while autumn offers views of mountains dressed in vibrant seasonal colors. Each season gives the forest a different character, making the Sky Walk an appealing experience throughout the year.
Kuuchuu no Mura is not just a place for physical activity. Its elevated spaces are also designed for relaxation, allowing visitors to enjoy a picnic, read a book, take a nap, or simply spend time surrounded by nature. Suspended several meters above the ground, these quiet retreats offer a welcome change from the routines of everyday life.
Private treehouses provide a special setting for enjoying a cup of coffee among the branches. Visitors can also relax inside a transparent dome that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery. The open, immersive atmosphere makes these spaces suitable for quiet reading or remote work as well as leisurely breaks.
Whether you want to explore the forest actively or spend time in peaceful solitude, the facility offers an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the sights, sounds, and fragrances of the woodland.
The experience continues after sunset with Sky Camping, which offers several distinctive ways to stay overnight, including treehouses, elevated tents, transparent domes, and suspended hammocks. The facility accommodates a limited number of groups, with a maximum of 10 groups at a time, creating an intimate atmosphere surrounded by nature. Camping equipment is available for rent, making it possible to enjoy the experience without bringing every item from home.
At night, guests can gaze at a sky filled with stars while listening to the rustling leaves and other natural sounds of the forest. In the morning, the clear mountain air provides a refreshing start to the day, followed by another opportunity to explore the Sky Walk.
Spending a night above the forest floor offers a memorable way to disconnect from daily routines and experience the natural rhythm of the mountains. Accommodation types, equipment availability, and booking conditions may vary, so checking the latest details before visiting is recommended.
The facility was designed and built by Joran, a French-born specialist who brought European ideas about forest management and outdoor recreation to Totsukawa. The design emphasizes harmony between nature, physical activity, and the environment, making use of local resources while seeking to minimize damage to the surrounding woodland.
As a result, Kuuchuu no Mura is more than a conventional adventure course. It encourages visitors to appreciate the forest through all their senses: watching the shifting light between the branches, feeling the breeze, breathing in the woodland aromas, and touching the natural warmth of the wood. The experience highlights the value of the forest itself rather than treating it merely as a backdrop for recreation.
Totsukawa Village lies in the southernmost part of Nara Prefecture and is known as Japan’s largest village by area. Its extensive mountainous landscape is home to clear rivers, waterfalls, dramatic suspension bridges, and hot springs where visitors can enjoy naturally flowing spring water.
Nearby attractions include Senō Falls, Tamaki Shrine, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ōmine Okugakemichi pilgrimage route, and the scenic Dorokyō Gorge. Combining a visit to Kuuchuu no Mura with these natural and cultural destinations makes it possible to experience more of the region’s remarkable landscape.
By car from JR Nara Station, the journey takes approximately three hours via the Gojō Interchange on the Keinawa Expressway and National Route 168. From Totsukawa Village Office, the facility is about a 30-minute drive away.
Because the attraction is located in a remote mountainous area, allow plenty of time for the journey. Visitors planning to stay overnight or take part in specific activities should check the facility’s latest operating information and reservation requirements before setting out.
High in the forests of Totsukawa, Kuuchuu no Mura offers a distinctive way to enjoy the outdoors, whether by walking among the treetops, relaxing in a private treehouse, or spending a night beneath the stars. Far from the noise of the city, it invites visitors to reconnect with nature and discover a slower, more peaceful rhythm of life.
For travelers seeking an unusual outdoor experience in Nara Prefecture, this forest retreat offers a memorable combination of adventure, relaxation, and immersion in the natural world.