Nara Autumn Itinerary: Plan a Fall Foliage Tour by Rental Car

Japan’s Nara Prefecture is a region steeped in culture and history, and the countryside is particularly beautiful in the fall. Exploring fall foliage at sites like Tanzan Shrine and in the mountains surrounding Tenkawa Village is doable by train, but renting a car is the best way to see Nara at a leisurely pace. Perfect for a four-day, three-night Nara itinerary, these attractions feature plenty of nature year-round and gorgeous Autumn views each fall.

Agoda Travel Tip: Renting a car is a great option when taking day trips away from larger urban centers and will make it easier to stick to your itinerary. To rent a car in Japan, you need to be at least 18 years old and have an International Driving Permit. There are many companies offering car rentals in Japan, including Nippon Rent-A-Car, TOYOTA Rent a Car, and Nissan Rent a Car. Fees generally range from 6,000 to 15,000 yen for a 24-hour period, depending on the size of the vehicle.

Day 1 Itinerary: Exploring Tenkawa

For the first day of your Nara trip, you’ll be heading down past Nara city towards the southern part of the prefecture, to the picturesque area of Tenkawa Village. This is a fantastic Nara day trip that will let you see some of the natural beauty of the region. To go to the southern part of Nara, travelers can rent a car at Yamato-Yagi Station. Taking a one-hour train ride from Osaka or Kyoto also is a good idea.

Day 1 Morning: Tenkawa Village

Located in the Yoshino District, Tenkawa Village is a small village home to just over 1,300 people. It is known as a place of spiritual power. In fact, “Tenkawa,” which is the name of the village as well as the river that flows through it, translates to “river of heaven.” Many worshipers make pilgrimages to the area, and it is also a popular place for hiking. Follow the well-maintained paths along the Tenkawa River as it winds through Mitarai Valley to take in the surrounding landscape. You’ll find dramatic waterfalls and many small shops along the way selling souvenirs and goodies.

One of the most important landmarks in the village is the Tenkawa Daibenzaiten Shrine. Built around the 7th century, the shrine is dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten, a deity of water and of everything else that flows, including time, speech, music, knowledge, and wisdom. It is one of the three largest shrines in the country devoted to Benzaiten. It has been visited by numerous Japanese emperors and important figures throughout the centuries and is considered to be one of the area’s most important power spots.

Day 1 Afternoon: Tenkawa Limestone Caves

In the mountains above the nearby town of Dorogawa, there are two magical limestone caves that you need to check out while you are here. The caves, named Menfudo and Goyomatsu, are both home to striking stalactite and stalagmite formations that have been illuminated by colored lights. It can get a little slippery inside of the caves, so make sure to wear proper footwear. Each cave also has an observatory at the entrance which offers sweeping views of the surrounding area and presents a fantastic photo opportunity.

While you can hike up to the entrance of both caves, it is recommended that you save time and energy by taking the provided monorail instead. There are two different monorails, one to each cave. The monorail up to Menfudo Limestone Cave is built in the fun shape of a wooden log while the monorail up to Goyomatsu Limestone Cave is more open in design. Both wind their way through the forest and up the mountainside, making the journey to the caves half the fun of the entire experience.

Day 1 Evening: Dorogawa Hot Spring

Once you’ve finished your daring caving adventure, head back down to relax for the night at the Dorogawa Hot Spring and the neighboring Dorogawa Spa. Soak your muscles after a day of exploration in the mild hot spring. After your relaxing soak, head out to explore the town of Dorogawa. This is a quaint and lovely area in Tenkawa with many restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops where you can pick up trinkets to remember your time in the south of Nara Prefecture. The streets are a pleasure to walk at dusk, as flickering lanterns hang from many of the shops and lodgings, lighting your way.

Check In to Misenkan, Step Out to Menfudo Limestone Cave

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Day 2 Itinerary: Autumn Leaf Viewing

The following morning, it’s time to head north again, towards the city of Sakurai. Your second day in Nara Prefecture will be all about taking in the fall foliage at two important historical sites. A good Nara map will help you get around.

Day 2 Morning and Early Afternoon: Tanzan Shrine

Just east of the historic Asuka region, near the center of Nara Prefecture, you’ll find Tanzan Shrine, built during the Asuka period (late-6th to early-8th centuries) and dedicated to Fujiwara Kamatari, the founder of the Fujiwara clan. As the Fujiwara clan grew in prosperity during the Heian period (794-1185), so did the shrine. The most notable feature of Tanzan Shrine is the 13-story pagoda. Designated an Important Cultural Property, it was originally built in 678 and then rebuilt in 1532 after the original shrine burnt down. Beside the pagoda, you’ll find the main worship hall and a large hall containing gorgeous artwork and treasures.

Tanzan Shrine is one of the favorite spots for autumn leaf viewing in the prefecture and can become quite busy in the second half of November, when the colors are most vibrant. There are around 3,000 maple trees growing along the shrine’s main approach and surrounding grounds. Witness the spectacular array of yellow, orange, and red as you check out the shops and food stands that line the approach. Pick up some local treats and sit back and admire the leaves. You can avoid much of the leaf-viewing crowds at Tanzan Shrine by timing your trip to the area on a weekday.

Day 2 Late Afternoon: Hasedera Temple

Once you’re finished at Tanzan Shrine, continue your sightseeing and autumn leaf viewing at Hasedera Temple. One of the area’s most beautiful temples, it is located between the cities of Sakurai and Uda. It was originally constructed in 686 and today serves as the main temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Hasedera Temple is often called the temple of flowers because in the springtime it is the sight of hundreds of blooming peonies. The temple is no less gorgeous in the fall, however, when the leaves on the surrounding trees turn a deep shade of red that matches the lacquered wood of the temple buildings.

The approach to the temple takes visitors through a small temple town with a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Hasedera Temple itself is perched higher up in the mountain and is reached by a covered stairway of 399 steps. The steps are not too steep and are manageable for most visitors. Those who reach the top are treated to breathtaking views from the balcony of the main hall, which juts out over the valley that is awash with autumn colors below.

Check In to Laputa Uda, Step Out to Uda

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Day 2 Evening: L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai

L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai is a luxury boutique hotel at the southern edge of the city that has only nine rooms and suites. Whether you stay here for the third night of your Nara trip or book accommodations elsewhere in Sakurai, L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai is a great place to enjoy a delicious dinner and a relaxing evening after your last few days of travel.

The hotel offers sweeping views across the rice fields of Sakurai and of the surrounding mountains. It is also home to a fine dining restaurant that serves French cuisine using locally-grown and sourced ingredients. Enjoy your meal as you watch the sunset over the farmland. Reservations are recommended, particularly if you will be coming on a weekend.

Check In to L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai, Step Out to Sakurai

Day 3 Morning and Afternoon: Muroji Temple

Day three begins with a jaunt even further east past Uda to a serene temple hidden away in a forest, then back to Nara to enjoy nature. Located out near the eastern edge of Nara Prefecture, Muroji Temple is very much worth the trip. It was constructed in the late 8th century and belongs to the Muroji sect of Shingon Buddhism. One of the most special things about Muroji Temple is that it began welcoming women during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), making it one of the very few temples to do so. As such, it continues to be popular among female visitors.

Another unique feature is the temple’s ancient five-story pagoda, which has remained since the late Nara period and which is the smallest five-story pagoda in the entire country still standing in open air.

The path to the temple leads from the narrow shopping streets below over a red arched bridge and along a riverbank. Stone steps then take visitors up through the trees and to the main hall. Here, you will find wonderful examples of Buddhist carvings. The pagoda lies even deeper in the forest behind the main hall.

Muroji Temple is built harmoniously with the landscape amidst the dense trees, making it another wonderful location to sit back and enjoy the autumn colors of Nara Prefecture.

Day 3 Afternoon: Nara Park

Taking up almost the entire eastern portion of the city, Nara Park is a sprawling public park full of temples and shrines, including Kasugataisha shrine, Todaiji Temple, and Kofukuji Temple. There are also many open and forested spaces to walk and enjoy a relaxing morning. The park was established in 1880, making it one of the oldest parks in the country. It is over 1,200 acres in size and has been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular features of Nara Park is the hundreds of wild deer that freely roam the grounds. The deer are classified as a Natural Treasure and tend to be friendly with guests. You can even purchase special crackers throughout the park to feed the deer, just be careful not to tease them with the food as that can cause them to become aggressive. The deer have long been considered sacred due to the myth that one of the gods of Kasugataisha shrine once appeared riding a white deer.

If you want to snap a few pictures to send to friends or post on social media, then one of the best picture spots in Nara Park is the Ukimido Pavilion. Located in the middle of the park, the wooden pavilion is built so that it appears to float on the surface of a pond. Mornings are a great time to get a misty, romantic shot. If you also want to stretch your legs while you are here, then head over to the Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest. The entrance to this forest, which has been designated a World Heritage Site, is just behind Kasugataisha shrine. A clearly marked path will take you through the ancient trees and to various viewpoints.

Day 3 Afternoon: Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest

Just located near Kasugataisha Shrine, Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest is another must-see place during autumn. It has been preserved for more than 1,000 years since the Heian Period (8th to 12th centuries) as a place to worship along with Kasugataisha Shrine. Walking inside of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can enjoy a hike in colorful autumn leaves and refreshing air. The entrance is about 2 kilometers east of Kintetsu Nara Station. The trail is about 9.4 kilometers long for those who want to hike all the way to the southern gate.

Day 3 Evening

There are many hotels and ryokans in Nara city. Guests who choose a ryokan may want to enjoy a good Japanese style dinner at the ryokan or go outside for dinner at restaurants on Sanjo Dori, Naramachi, or Higashimuki Arcade Street.

Check In to Hotel Mimatsu, Step Out to Nara

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Day 4 Morning: Horyuji Temple

Just a short drive from Nara Park, Horyuji Temple is one of the most important historic sites in all of Nara Prefecture. Not only is the temple’s pagoda considered to be the oldest wooden structure in the world, but the temple is also the site of numerous historic statues and artwork. Horyuji Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and several of its artifacts are classified as Japanese National Treasures. It was founded in 607 during the Asuka Period (late-6th to early-8th centuries) by Prince Shotoku, an early promoter of Buddhism.

Horyuji Temple is divided into two main parts. The Saiin Garan (Western Precinct) is where you will find the pagoda as well as the main hall and the central gate, both of which were built during the Asuka Period. Though they have undergone renovation over the years, these structures have never been destroyed. The Toin Garan (Eastern Precinct) houses the octagonal-shaped Hall of Visions dedicated to Prince Shotoku. Between the two precincts, you’ll find the Gallery of Temple Treasures, which showcases some of the temple’s vast art and artifact collection.

Day 4 Afternoon: Chogosonshiji Temple

Close to the western border of Nara Prefecture, Chogosonshiji Temple is a colorful temple dedicated to Bishamonten, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. It is often known as the “tiger temple” due to the large paper mache tiger that guards its entrance. The tiger has a wide-open mouth and a large bobbing head. Make sure you snap a picture with it for posterity, as a new tiger statue is commissioned every year. Other tiger statues can be found throughout the temple as well. This is because, according to legend, Bishamonten appeared in the sky above the current location of the temple to Prince Shotoku in the year of the tiger, on the day of the tiger, and at the hour of the tiger 1,400 years ago.

Chogosonshiji Temple is particularly pleasant to visit in the evening, when the hundreds of stone lanterns that lead up to the entrance are all beautifully lit. Red and yellow leaves surround the temple in the autumn, making the stroll down the lantern-lined path and throughout the temple complex all the more charming. The temple complex itself is sprawling and consists of numerous sub-temples as well as a large tunnel in the shape of a tiger that is said to grant good fortune to those who walk through it.

You can take a bus from Chogosonshiji Temple to JR Oji Station. Oji Station is quite close to Osaka and you will get to JR Osaka station within 40 minutes without changing trains. Stay at Osaka and prepare another tour, or easily access Kansai International Airport once you are in Osaka.

Check In to Kakimotoya Ryokan, Step Out to Ikoma

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