Enjoy Nara Nature | 3-Day Itinerary in Japan’s Scenic Ancient Capital
With endless walking trails and tons of outdoor attractions, it’s easy to pack lots of sightseeing into even a short stay in Nara. Travelers who want to experience Nara nature but only have a couple days to spare can reserve one day to explore Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail, the oldest road in Japan, and plan treks through Asuka and Yoshino on days two and three. Because transportation is easy to use and walking trails are well laid out, a two-night, three-day itinerary gives adventurous travelers plenty of time to explore the natural wonders of Nara Prefecture.
Enjoy Nara Nature: Day 1 Itinerary – Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail
Start your adventure in Nara by walking in the footsteps of the ancients. Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail is the oldest road in Japan, and it currently is maintained as a hiking trail. Stretching from Isonokami Jingu Shrine in Tenri to Ohmiwa (Oomiwa-Jinja) Shrine in Sakurai, the trail winds through Nara’s countryside, which features bamboo forests and gorgeous cherry blossom trees each spring. Trekkers will see temples, burial grounds and rice fields along Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail and are likely to stumble upon a fruit orchard or two. Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail is about 26 kilometers long from end to end, but walking the 10-kilometer trail between Isonokami Jingu Shrine to Ohmiwa (Oomiwa-Jinja) Shrine is a popular option for those who don’t want to make the entire trek.
One of the most popular things to do while walking Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail is to try and find the 38 poetry stones scattered along the path. The monuments are inscribed with ancient Japanese poetry written by some of the most famous poets in Japan. Some stones explain the authors and the inspirations behind their poetry. Creating rubbings from the calligraphy on the stones makes great souvenirs. Just don’t forget to pack a pencil and paper before starting the journey down Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail! Get a head start on learning the history of the stones by picking up a copy of “Precious Stones: The Poetry Monuments of the Yamanobe no Michi,” written in 2017 by Richard O’Hara. The book gives full translations of the poems and includes details about how to find them.
Trekkers starting down Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail from Tenri Station will want to make their first stop at Isonokami Jingu Shrine. This Shinto shrine, which dates to 4 AD and is one of the oldest in Japan, houses the Shichihito sword, an ancient six-pronged sword, the Nanatsusaya-no-Tachi, a rare seven-pronged sword, and the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, a legendary sword that the deity Susanoo-no-mikoto supposedly used to slay a giant serpent. The latter artifacts are not on display, but guests can see the Shichihito sword, as well as several national treasures and artifacts kept on the grounds.
While the historical artifacts are a popular draw to Isonokami Jingu Shrine, the pristine forests surrounding the temple also invite hikers to the area. The temple complex is shaded by hundreds of Japanese cedar trees and provides a quiet respite where visitors can enjoy Nara nature.
Tenrikankono Orchards
A stop at Tenrikankono Orchards on Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail could turn into a long stay, especially for guests arriving between October and December. Autumn is when the region’s mandarin oranges, or mikan, are ripe and juicy, and guests can pick all they want.
Tenrikankono Orchards also is popular for outdoor barbecues. The picnic areas include barbecue grills and tables, and they are covered so even rainy days can’t spoil the fun.
Need a quick stretch before exploring the remainder of Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail? Sign up for a mountain yoga class at Tenrikankono Orchards to prepare your mind and body for the historic excursion to come!
Sometimes called the “Flower Temple” because of its outlying gardens and azalea hedges, Chogakuji Temple is another ancient temple on Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail. Visitors can stroll around the pond on the grounds and photograph a historic wooden gate and bell tower. Inside the main hall, tourists can view Buddhist statues and ancient architecture. From late October through November, visitors will have a chance to see a 16th-century depiction of hell painted by celebrated Japanese artist Kano Sanraku.
Admission to Chogakuji Temple is 350 yen for adults. Students, depending on age, receive discounted admission.
Sumojinja Shrine
Said to be the location where the first sumo match was held, Sumojinja Shrine makes for an interesting stop along Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail. Guests are encouraged to take a fun selfie with the statue of Nomi no Sukune, who annihilated his opponent in the first bout by breaking his ribs … and crushing his testicles! Nara is known as the birthplace of sumo, and Sumojinja Shrine preserves the sport’s history as well as remnants of the first wrestling ring.
This simple shrine is designated by three torii gates and offers stunning views of Nara Prefecture and Mount Nijo. In fact, the Hibarajinja Shrine is an auxiliary shrine of the Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine and actually stands as a place of worship for Mount Miwa, as the shrine contains no resident deity. However, the temple is the former site of the Ise Jingu Shrine, where the sun goddess Amaterasu was enshrined.
Genpian Temple
Located next to Mount Miwa, this temple, which worships Shingon-shu, has been standing inconspicuously for about 1,100 years. Visitors may encounter a Goma ritual, in which small pieces of holy wood are burned with holy fire, taking place in the field here.
In the forested foothills of Mount Miwa, hikers eventually will come to Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine, also known as Miwa Myojin Shrine, the last stop on Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail. Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine sits in the midst of some of the Nara’s most beautiful landscape and is thought to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
The main deity of the shrine, Ohmononushi-no-ohkami, resides in sacred Mount Miwa. Since ancient times, people have been worshiping Mount Miwa through Mitsu-torii gate behind the Worship Building. Believed to be Japan’s oldest existing Shinto shrine, Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine is a rare example of an ancient Shinto sacred site.
Hikers arriving for non-religious purposes are encouraged to take in the scenery before leaving the shirne grounds and ending their adventure down Yamanobe-no-Michi Trail.
Enjoy Nara Nature: Day 2 Itinerary – Asuka Village
Spend day two of your trip in the historic village of Asuka, located just outside Nara. This small village has many rural delights, including farms and rice fields, that allow visitors to embrace the slower pace of life outside the big city. To get to Asuka from Kashihara, take the Kintetsu train from Yamato-Yagi Station and change trains at Kashiharajingu-Mae Station. Change to the Kintetsu South Osaka Line to go to Asuka Station.
Gardens & Parks in Asuka
The flowers and seasonal foliage in Asuka look best in the springtime during cherry blossom season or during the fall when the amaryllis are in bloom. The village is a typical example of a Japanese satoyama (foothills) settlement, with plenty of green spaces and flowers, and perhaps the best place to immerse yourself in splendid scenery is in the Amakashi-no-Oka area. These sprawling green spaces offer year-round vegetation, walking trails and observation towers.
Kameishi
The Kameishi, or Turtle Rock, of Asuka is a large granite boulder that may be protecting all of Japan! The Kameishi currently faces southwest, but the legend says that if the turtle ever turns to the west, the Yamato area will turn to a sea of mud!
Rice Terraces of Inabuchi
One of the most beautiful landscapes in Asuka is the terraced rice fields of Inabuchi. The rice fields offer stunning views any time of the year, and as crops get rotated, the countryside takes on different charms. Visitors can enjoy mustard fields in the spring and admire bright blooms of red amaryllis in the fall.
Site of Asuka Itabuki-no-miya Palace
A unique outdoor landmark in Asuka is the Site of Asuka Itabuki-no-miya Palace, which contains the ruins of Asuka Itabuki-no-miya Palace. The palace was occupied in the 7th century, and remnants of the grand structure are now preserved on a plot of land near Amakashi-no-Oka Area in Asuka Historical National Government Park. Pottery, coins and other artifacts, such as an ancient well frame, have been recovered from the protected grounds.
Scarecrow Festival
The Inabuchi area in Asuka village, Nara, is famous for terraced rice fields as well as the Scarecrow Contest held in September every year. In 2019, the contest takes place on September 21 (Saturday) and 22 (Sunday) with a theme of “Scarecrows which bring a Smile to People.” The area also is famous for red amaryllis, so the Amaryllis Festival is held at the same time. Travelers are invited to visit Inabuchi to see red amaryllis and walk along “Scarecrow Road” and enjoy unspoiled rural landscapes.
It is a 40-minute train ride from Asuka Station to Yoshino Station, where travelers can take a cable car to Yoshinoyama Station and then walk for 10 minutes to Kinpusenji Temple. Mount Yoshino is renowned for its thousands of cherry blossom trees, and many people visit there during cherry blossom season. This temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 as a part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range – Yoshino and Omine.”
In the main hall of Zaodo, three statues of almost 7-meter-tall Kongo Zao Gongen reside as main images of the temple. They are hidden from the public view in general, but special openings are held in the spring and autumn. Visitors can check the temple’s official website to see when the next viewing will take place.
Enjoy Nara Nature: Day 3 Itinerary – Yoshinoyama Area
Reserve your last day in Nara Prefecture to venture up Mount Yoshino, named one of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms. Visitors who arrive in Nara outside of cherry blossom season, however, still can expect jaw-dropping views. Mount Yoshino is divided into four levels – Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon, and each level offers unique viewpoints and various aspects of nature, particularly Oku Senbon, which tops the mountain with more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees. In 2015, another 1,000 cherry saplings were planted, so an even more spectacular scene awaits future visitors.
To reach Oku Senbon from Yoshinoyama Station, take a bus to Okusenbonguchi bus stop.
Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Naka Senbon area of Mount Yoshino and has served as the center stage of many historic events.
In the 12th century, Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his mistress, Shizuka Gozen, fled from the hands of Yoshitsune’s elder brother Minamoto no Yoritomo’s troops and hid in this shrine with a warrior monk called Benkei. The shrine stores items from that time which tell the sad love story of the hero and his beauty who lived out their tragic destiny.
In the 14th century, Emperor Godaigo visited the shrine from Kyoto and designated it as the imperial residence of the Southern Court, setting off the court’s 57-year history.
The 16th century saw warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi using the shrine as his main base. He would stay here for days on end holding extravagant cherry blossom viewing parties that included poetry sessions, tea ceremonies and noh (musical theater art) performances to boast of his power over the entire country.
Items and treasures from these periods are displayed in the drawing room.
The main deity of Yoshinomikumari-jinja Shrine is Amenomikumari-okami, who is said to control water distribution. The word “Mikumari” gradually changed to “Mikomori” (meaning conception) and gave the shrine another meaning as a holy place that grants children to aspiring parents. The shrine building was rebuilt in 1604 by Hideyori Toyotomi. Hideyoshi’s son is said to have been born with the shrine’s mystical blessings. Today, the shrine still showcases the beautiful architecture of the Momoyama Period (1573-1603) and is famous for its weeping cherry trees (Shidarezakura) in spring and lilies of the valley in early summer.
Saigyo-an was the tiny residence of Saigyo, one of the best-known poets of Shinkokin Wakashu (New Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry). He is said to have lived a simple life here for three years after abandoning his life as a warrior to become a monk.
It is a very humble home barely three tatami mats in size. The abode stands in a tiny flat patch on a steep slope rising from a small river, which you can reach by venturing beyond Kimpu-jinja Shrine. The surroundings are so quiet that all you can hear are the breeze whispering through the forest and the pleasant chirping of birds. It was at this cottage that Saigyo exposed himself to nature and composed poetry as if he were reciting sutras.
Saigyo-an lies in the Oku Senbon area, a place lush with greenery in early summer and fiery leaves in fall, not to mention the stunning cherry blossoms in spring. Visit any time from spring to fall for an unforgettable experience.
After you have looked around these places, you can take the cable car from Yoshinoyama Station to Yoshino Station. From Yoshino Station, take a Kintetsu train to Osaka Abenobashi Station. It takes about 70 minutes by direct train.
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