Nature Spots in Nara Area
Area
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Nara
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Nara
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- Mt. Yoshino
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Yoshinogunyoshinochou Yoshinoyama
- Mt. Yoshino is one of Japan’s most beautiful areas for seeing cherry blossoms and it is said even the great Toyotomi Hideyoshi came here to view the cherries. The cherries, which number some 30 thousand in total, are divided into areas – the Shimosenbon (Lower 1,000 Trees), Nakasenbon (Middle 1,000 Trees), Kamisenbon (Upper 1,000 Trees), and Okusenbon (Inner 1,000 Trees). The trees gradually come into blossom starting with the Shimosenbon, eventually coloring the entire mountain with their flowers. The sight, praised since ancient times in countless waka poems, continues to captivate the hearts of throngs of people today. The mountain was designated a national Site of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site in 1924. In 2004, the sacred land extending from Mt. Yoshino and Mt. Koya to Kumano as well as the intervening pilgrimage routes were registered collectively as the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range World Heritage Site.
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- Menfudo Limestone Cave
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4.053 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Yoshinoguntenkawamura Dorogawa 678-89
- Menfudo Limestone cave is the largest limestone cave in the Kansai region. Inside the dome-shaped interior, visitors can see marvelous stalactites and stalagmites. The average temperature inside the cave is about 8°C year-round. A statue of the guardian deity Fudo has been set up in the deepest part of the cave, where no outside air penetrates.
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とてつもない急勾配をトロッコを使って登りました。あっという間に到着します。鍾乳洞は期待していたよりもずっと小さく、頭をぶつけないように気をつけながら順路を巡りました。もっと本格的な鍾乳洞を期待していたので、ちょっとがっかりです。でも、青や紫にライトアップされているので、写真はとても神秘的にできました。実際の経験より、写真のほうがよく見える場所だといえます。鍾乳洞なので当然、濡れた足元に注意しないと...
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- Goyomatsu Limestone Cave
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4.020 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Yoshinoguntenkawamura Dorogawa
- This more than 200 meter-deep limestone cave has a truly mystical atmosphere created by its faintly-lit stalactites, stone pillars, and stalagmites. The cave's largest stone pillar, a truly impressive sight, is a full eight meters tall. Sign up for guided cave tours at Gorogoro Chaya. The caves are closed on Wednesdays and for winter (December 1 to mid-March).
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赤井五代松翁が親子二代に渡り，私財を投げうって完成させた鍾乳洞とのことです．以前は現在の面不動鍾乳洞と同じく，観光客自らが自由に散策できましたが，氷柱石や石筍を折って持ち去る不届き者があり，現在では係員の方の案内に従い，鍾乳洞の中を見学するスタイルに戻ったとのことでした．私たちが訪れた時は，その他の観光客が居らず，モノレール（トロッコ）で鍾乳洞入口まで上り，係員の方の説明をいただきながら，二人だけ...
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- Mt. Nijo
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4.529 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Nara Katsuragi-shi , Osaka Minamikawachi-gun Taishicho , Nara Kashiba-shi
- A mountain in the Northwestern part of the Nara Basin that straddles Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture and Taish Towni, Minamikawachi County, Osaka. Mt. Nijo has two peaks, Odake standing at 515 meters, and Medake standing at 474 meters. At the peak of Odake is the grave of Prince Otsu, the son of Emperor Tenmu who was killed on allegations of rebellion.
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家族連れやペットと登る人も多い二上山。 雄岳と雌岳があって、雌岳の頂上の方が賑わっています。スニーカーでも登れる、初心者におすすめの山です。
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- Mt. Wakakusayama (Mt. Mikasa)
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Narashi Kasuganochou Little Women
- This is a mountain with an elevation of 342 meters located at the eastern tip of Nara Park. The entire mountain is covered in grass and since it has three small hills that look like conical hats, it is also called Mt. Mikasa (three-hat mountain). Visitors can see deer scattered around the mountain and the mountain makes for a beautiful sight in all four seasons including cherry trees in the spring and changing leaves in the autumn. Every year on the fourth Saturday in January the mountain is set on fire, and a launch of fireworks is used as a sign that the entire mountain is ablaze. This is one of Nara’s large events when there is syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism between Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple, and Kofukuji Temple so as to pray for the peace and comfort of ancestors, Nara’s disaster prevention, and world peace as well as to announce the coming of spring.
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- Kuragari Pass
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Prefecture Ikoma-shi, Osaka-fu Higashi Osaka-shi
- This mountain pass, a Nara Prefecture Landscape Heritage, has long been known as the road taken from Osaka to Nara or to Ise Grand Shrine by people on pilgrimages. The path is lined with stone monuments and still has its original cobbled road surface. It is also famous for the poetry written by Matsuo Basho while he walked there. The name Kuragari (darkness) comes from how dimly lit the path is even during the day due to the shade of thick tree coverage.
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- Soni Highland
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Udagunsonimura Taroji
- "The Soni Highlands in Uda County, Nara Prefecture, are known for Okame Pond. The highlands extend out from the western foothills of Mt. Kameyama, so called because it resembles the back of a turtle (""kame"" in Japanese) when viewed from 1038-meter Mt. Kuroso (one of the Japan's 300 famous mountains). Chinese silvergrass grows throughout the highlands, and every year in mid March, the hills are subjected to controlled burning, so that visitors can enjoy the fresh greenery on the hills in the summer. At Okame Pond, which features in a famous legend, visitors can see rare plants that grow only in wetlands. One of the best hiking routes in the Kansai region for families (the Kogen Daisuki Course or ""I Love the Highlands Route"") is located here, and hikers can see the National Natural Monuments, Yoroi Dake (""Armor Peak""), Kabuto Dake (""Helmet Peak""), and Byobu Iwa (""Screen Rock"")."
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- Sarusawa Pond
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Narashi Hashimotochou
- This pond, 360m in circumference, is located in Nara Park. It beautifully reflects the five-tiered pagoda of Kofukuji Temple in its waters, and is said to be one of the top eight sites to see in Nara. Said to be built as the Kofukuji Temple’s ceremonial pond into which fish and animals were released to let live, this pond is famous for it many sun-bathing turtles.
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- Mt. Kongo
- Travel / Tourism
- Osaka Minamikawachi-gun Chihayaakasakamura Chihaya
- A mountain situated on the border between Chihayaakasaka Village, Osaka Prefecture and Gose City, Nara Prefecture. 1,125 meters high, it is the highest peak of the Kongo Mountains, which also includes peaks such as Mt. Nijo and Mt. Katsuragi. Katsuragi Shrine and Tenporinji Temple, founded by the mystic En no Gyoja, are located near the top of the mountain. Because the top of the mountain is part of Katsuragi Shrine's sacred grounds, access to this area is currently prohibited, but there is a shop and picnic area a short distance below the top. The mountain is a popular sightseeing destination and on weekends many people come here to take in the sights or go hiking and mountain climbing. Those who are not experienced mountain climbers are recommended to ride the Mt. Kongo Ropeway to Mt. Kongo Station, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way, then hiking the rest of the way up from there.
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- Mt. Katsuragi
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Goseshi Kujira
- Every year, azaleas cover Mt. Yamato Katsuragi with color around mid-May. The season begins with the buds swelling in early May, reaching full bloom in the middle of the month, and the season ends by late May. During full bloom, when it is said you can see a million azaleas in one glance, the area gets crowded with visitors, so you can expect full parking lots and a wait of 20 minutes or more to ride the ropeway. It is recommended to wait until the crowds subside in the evening to take the ropeway, spend the night at Katsuragi Kogen Lodge, and then enjoy the azaleas in the morning.
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- Tatsuta River
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4.07 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Nara Ikoma-gun Ikarugacho Inabakurumase 2
- This first-class river flows through Ikoma City, Heguri Town, and Ikaruga Town, joining with the Yamato River. A picturesque destination mentioned in poetry since ancient times, Ariwara no Narihira and Noin's poems about the river are particularly famous. The river is also a famous place to view fall foliage in autumn. From late November to early December each year, the river's banks are adorned with the spectacular colors of Japanese maples, mountain maples, and trident maples.
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地元斑鳩町の由来の鳥であるイカルが、１１月から４月ごろにこの辺りに現れるとの事。滞在した際には、見る事が出来ませんでした。川が綺麗で、遊歩道沿いを４０分程散歩してベンチでお弁当を食べました。雰囲気のある遊歩道です。
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- Mitarai Gorge
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Yoshinoguntenkawamura Kitozumi
- Large and small waterfalls cascade into emerald green waters in this fantastical gorge. The sight of the forceful water flowing beneath the swinging bridge is as beautiful a scene can be. The natural beauty that can be seen by walking the paths along the river’s edge is beautiful in any season but the autumn foliage is especially recommended.
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- Mt. Odaigahara
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Yoshinogunkamikitayamamura Kotochi
- With a height of 1695 meters, Mt. Odaigahara straddles the border between Nara and Mie Prefectures and has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 best mountains. In addition, it was designated a national park in 1936. The mountaintop is broadly divided into two plateaus, the East Plateau, which contains numerous beauty spots, including Hidegatake Peak, and the West Plateau, which contains an primeval forest that is home to rare plants and animals. Since the West Plateau is a restricted area, hikers need to obtain a permit in advance. The mountain receives heavy precipitation throughout the year, and it is covered with one of the world’s several temperate rainforests.
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- Doro-kyo Gorge
- Travel / Tourism
- Totsukawa village, Yoshino gun, Nara prefecture
- Located in Yoshino-Kumano National Park, this river gorge extends over Nara, Mie, and Wakayama prefectures. The sheer cliffs or huge rocks and the deep blue waters of the Kitayama River create a mysterious atmosphere. Because of the beauty of the scenery, it has been designated as a special place of scenic beauty in Japan, and has been written about by poets such as Yosano Tekkan and Yosano Akiko.
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- Mt. Miwa
- Travel / Tourism
- Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture
- This mountain located in Miwa, Sakurai City is the tutelary deity of the Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine that sits in its foothills. The mountain has been a destination for the faithful since ancient times due its enshrinement of the Shinto god Omononushi-no-Okami. It is described in historical records such as the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki and also appears in many classic Japanese poems. Access to the mountain is currently only granted for the purpose of worshipping at the shrine (Visitors must sign in at Saijinja Shrine, an auxiliary shrine on the grounds of Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine.).
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- Mt. Ikoma
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Ikoma-shi Nabatacho Onitoricho Hoka
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- Itto-seki Split Boulder
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Narashi Yagyuchou
- This massive stone, split right down the middle, is located in the southeast corner of Hotoku-ji Temple in Yagyucho, Nara City. Legend has it that it was cleaved in twain with a single sword stroke by Yagyu Munetoshi (Sekishusai), the founder of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of swordfighting, during a duel with a Tengu (long-nosed goblin). This is the origin of the stone's name Itto-seki (single stroke stone).
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- Cherry Blossom Trees Along Saho River (Landscape Asset of Nara)
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Nara-shi Koinokubo
- A tributary of the Yamato River that runs from Nara City to Yamatokoriyama City. The section in Nara City is well known for being a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing with cherry trees running for numerous kilometers down the bank. It's also the site for events including the Saho River Sakura Festival Lamplight Gathering and the Saho River Kawaji Sakura Festival.
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- Mt. Shigi
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Ikomagunhegurichou Shigisan
- "Mt. Shigi is a mountain situated close to the boundary between Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture that is closely associated with Shotoku Taishi (Prince Shotoku). According to tradition, while the Prince was engaged in a punitive expedition against Mononobe Moriya, the Buddhist deity Bishamonten (Vaisravana) appeared to him and taught him a secret method for securing victory. The name ""Mt. Shigi"" derives from the subsequent belief that the mountain where this event took place deserved to be trusted and revered. Mt. Shigi has two peaks: Otake, the northern peak, is 437 meters high, while Metake, the southern peak, is 400.5 meters high. The mountain is relatively easy to climb, and has been included in the list of the ""Top 100 Best Mountains to Visit in Nara Prefecture."" On the southern slopes of Mt. Shigi there is the Chogosonshi-ji Temple, a Buddhist temple belonging to the Shigisan Shingon sect that is dedicated to Bishamonten; the Temple is famous as a great place for viewing autumn foliage."
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- Byobuiwa Rock
- Travel / Tourism
- Nara Pref. Udagunsonimura Nagano
- Byobu Rock is a rock formation located to the west of Kabuto Dake Peak in the village of Soni, Uda County, Nara Prefecture. It extends for two kilometers, and when viewed from the south, it looks like a byobu (folding screen), due to the series of sheer cliffs that look like a sharp saw blade. Mitsuba azaleas grow wild on the rock wall, and 300 large mountain cherry trees in the park at the foot of the rock bloom from mid to late April and are illuminated at night. In the fall, visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the autumn leaves. In 1934, the rock was designated a National Natural Monument.
Nara Areas
With a reputation almost as stellar as that of Kyoto, Nara is a must-visit for those searching for the remains of "traditional Japan." The largely green Nara city holds the majority of the prefecture’s treasures, such as the iconic Todai-ji Temple, in which a 15-meter tall Great Buddha sits, and Nara Park, where deer flock to befriend passersby. While mountains are by no means hard to come by in this area, for hiking with a reward, head to the Kii Mountains’ Yoshino district in spring, when the hillsides put on an impressive display of white and pink cherry blossoms.
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