Guides in Nara

Gojo: Townscape of Shinmachi, Kongo-ji Temple, and the Octagonal Hall of Eisan-ji Temple

Start walking from JR Gojo Station and stroll down Shinmachi-dori in Gojo Shinmachi, which is lined with stately traditional machiya townhouses.

Naramachi: From Sarusawa Pond to Gango-ji Temple, Machiya Alleys, and Jurin-in Temple

Leaving Kintetsu-Nara Station, head to Sarusawa Pond and proceed south to find Gango-ji Temple and the townscape of Naramachi unfolding before you.

Totsukawa Village: From Tanize Suspension Bridge to Totsukawa Onsen and Hatenashi Village (by Car)

Drive south through Totsukawa Village, located at the southernmost tip of Nara Prefecture. Cross the 297-meter-long Tanize Suspension Bridge, and soak in 100%…

Azaleas of Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi and Katsuragi Hitokotonushi-jinja Shrine (Ropeway)

From Kintetsu Gose Station, take a bus and ropeway up to Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi, and walk around the plateau near the summit.

Day Trip from Osaka: From Horyu-ji Temple and Chugu-ji Temple to Yakushi-ji Temple and Toshodai-ji Temple in Nishinokyo

Travel from Osaka to Horyuji Station by JR to visit Horyu-ji Temple and its eastern neighbor, Chugu-ji Temple, during the morning.

Castle Town of Uda-Matsuyama: Historic Streets, Morino Old Medicinal Herb Garden, and Uda Mikumari-jinja Shrine (Matabei-zakura in Spring; By Car)

Starting from the weeping Matabei-zakura cherry tree in Hongo, Ouda, walk through the castle town streets of Uda-Matsuyama.

From Muro-ji Temple to the Pampas Grass of Soni Highlands (By Car, Autumn)

After looking up at the five-story pagoda at Muro-ji Temple amid autumn foliage and paying respects at Ryuketsu-jinja Shrine where the dragon god is enshrined,…

Tenkawa Village: From Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine to Mitarai Valley, Dorogawa Onsen, and Menfudo Limestone Cave (By Car)

Tour Tenkawa Village, surrounded by the mountains of Omine, by car. Visit Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine, considered the head shrine of Japan's Three Great…

Stones and Temples of Asuka: From Shobuike Kofun Burial Mound to Mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jito, Kame-ishi Stone, Kawara-dera Temple, and Tachibana-dera Temple

This walking course exploring the stones and temples of Asuka takes you from Kintetsu Okadera Station to view the sarcophagi of Shobuike Kofun Burial Mound…

Heijo Palace Site and Sahoji Road: From Saidai-ji Temple to the Daigokuden, Hokke-ji Temple, Kairyuo-ji Temple, and Miyaato Garden

This walking course starts by visiting Saidai-ji Temple from Yamato-Saidaiji Station, heads east to see the First Daigokuden (Audience Hall) and the East Palace…

Takabatake Paths: From Byakugo-ji Temple to Kasuga-taisha Shrine via Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple and the Former Shiga Naoya Residence

Start walking from Byakugo-ji Temple, set on high ground overlooking the town of Nara, and come face-to-face with the Twelve Heavenly Generals at…

Kofun Burial Mounds and a Yayoi Village: Umami Hills Park, Suyama Kofun Burial Mound, and Karako-Kagi Ruins (By Car)

This driving course explores kofun burial mounds in the Umami Hills in the western Nara Basin and visits the site of a Yayoi period village at the Karako-Kagi…

The Village of Ikaruga: From Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound to Horyu-ji, Chugu-ji, Horin-ji, and Hoki-ji Temples

This is a walking route around the village of Ikaruga. From Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound to the World Heritage site of Horyu-ji Temple, you will proceed north…

The Depths of Totsukawa Village: Tamaki-jinja Shrine and Dorohatcho (By Car, Staying at Totsukawa Onsen)

Explore the deep reaches of Totsukawa Village by car. The morning after staying at Totsukawa Onsen, drive up winding mountain roads toward Mt. Tamaki.

Yamanobe-no-Michi Path (North): From Isonokami-jingu Shrine to Chogaku-ji Temple, Mausoleum of Emperor Sujin, and Kurozuka Kofun Burial Mound

This walking course starts at JR/Kintetsu Tenri Station, heads to Isonokami-jingu Shrine, and follows the Yamanobe-no-Michi Path southward.

Takatori: From the Tosa Kaido Castle Town, Climbing to the Takatori Castle Ruins and Descending to Tsubosaka-dera Temple

This mountain walking course begins at Tsubosakayama Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, taking you through the castle town along Tosa Kaido.

Cycling Fujiwara-kyo and the Yamato Sanzan Mountains: From Motoyakushi-ji Temple Site to Fujiwara Palace Site and Mt. Amanokagu

Rent a bicycle at Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station and ride from Motoyakushi-ji Temple Site, the ruins of a temple from the Fujiwara-kyo period, toward…

From Top to Bottom of Mt. Yoshino: Kinpu-jinja Shrine in Oku-Senbon to Mikumari-jinja Shrine, Chikurin-in Temple, Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine, and Zao-do Hall

Take the ropeway and a bus up to Oku-Senbon, the deepest area of Mt. Yoshino, and walk down from there.

Yamatokoriyama: From Koriyama Castle Ruins and the Town of Goldfish to Jiko-in Temple

This route takes you on foot from Kintetsu-Koriyama Station to the Koriyama Castle Ruins to enjoy the stone walls of the tenshudai (castle keep base) and its…

Walking the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara: From Asuka Palace Site to Mizuochi Ruins, Daikandai-ji Temple Site, and Fujiwara Palace Site

This walking route heads north from the remains of the imperial palace in Asuka to Fujiwara Palace Site, which was the center of Fujiwara-kyo, tracing the…

Ancient Tombs of Western Asuka: From Kengoshizuka Kofun to Nakaoyama, Takamatsuzuka, the Hinokuma-dera Temple Site, and Kitora Kofun

This course begins on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station, following the line of burial mounds in the western part of Asuka Village from north to south.

From Mt. Ikoma to Mt. Shigi: Hozan-ji Temple, Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park, and Chogosonshi-ji Temple (Cable Car & Car)

Visit Hozan-ji Temple halfway up Mt. Ikoma, and enjoy the flight tower and views of the Osaka Plain at Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park at the summit.

West of Nara City: Touring National Treasure Main Halls at Akishino-dera, Chokyu-ji, and Ryosen-ji (By Car)

Drive through the area stretching from the west of Nara City to neighboring Ikoma City to visit three temples preserving National Treasure main halls (hondo).

Nishinokyo: From Kiko-ji Temple to the Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin, Toshodai-ji Temple, and Yakushi-ji Temple

This walking route begins at Kintetsu Amagatsuji Station, heads to Kiko-ji Temple, views the moat-surrounded Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin, and continues south to…

From Kashihara-jingu Shrine to the Archaeological Museum and the Historic Townscape of Imaicho

Starting on foot from Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station, this course begins with a visit to Kashihara-jingu Shrine, which enshrines Emperor Jinmu.

Driving Through the Mountain Villages East of Nara: From the Plum Village of Tsukigase to Yagyu-no-Sato, Enjo-ji Temple, and Mt. Wakakusa

This drive travels from east to west through the mountain villages east of Nara City. It takes you from Tsukigase Plum Grove, where plums spread across the…

Yamanobe-no-Michi Path (South): From Miwa's Omiwa-jinja Shrine to Hibara-jinja Shrine, Hashihaka Kofun Burial Mound, and Makimuku Ruins

This walking route takes you from Miwa Station on the JR Sakurai Line to Omiwa-jinja Shrine, passes Sai-jinja Shrine, and follows the Yamanobe-no-Michi Path…

Museum, Gardens, and Kitamachi: From Nara National Museum to Isuien Garden, Shosoin, and Hannya-ji Temple

Beginning with a walk from Nara National Museum, this course tours two Japanese gardens: Yoshikien Garden and Isuien Garden.

Eastern Foothills of Asuka: From the Man'yo Culture Complex to Oka-dera Temple, Ishibutai Kofun Burial Mound, and the Inabuchi Rice Terraces

After exploring the Man'yoshu and the ancient culture of Asuka at the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture, head south along the eastern foothills of Asuka…

Crossing Mt. Nijo to Taima-dera Temple

Starting from Nijozan Station, this course ascends Mt. Nijo, which features the two side-by-side peaks of Mt. Odake and Mt. Medake.