Spots in Nara Area

Area

Nara
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Category

Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography Nara City

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Takabatakechou 600-1

This is a photo gallery next to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple in Takabatake Town, Nara City. The gallery possesses the entire 80,000 item collection of photographer Irie Taikichi, known for capturing the various Yamato scenery around Nara, and holds exhibitions based around these works and also the work of amateurs. The building itself, a work of architect Kisho Kurokawa, is another highlight and represents the importance of harmony with the environment.

Located slightly away from the main sights, this photography museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. At the time of my visit it was showing two interesting exhibitions:Irie...
Shimokitayama Sports Park

4.0

9 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Yoshinogunshimokitayamamura Kamikehara 1026

This sports park's facilities, including an auto camp, make it well suited for overnight group activities such as training sessions and sports training camps. It offers reasonable rates for people who love sports and outdoor leisure. The park even has a campsite located 110 meters directly below Ikehara Dam, making it a great base for mountaineering or black bass fishing in the Ikehara and Nanairo area.

友達と泊まりましたが。コスパがとてもよかったです、田舎の宿泊施設という事で、全く期待してませんでしたが、食事も良く（田舎なので周辺に食事施設があまり無いようです）おいしかった。部屋も広くお手洗いもついていて、よかったです。近くの温泉施設木こりの湯のチケットもついていて、施設内に大浴場もあり満足でした。
Naramachi Museum

4.0

66 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Narashi Nishinoshinyachou 14

A private museum built in Naramachi (Town of Nara), an area which still retains an old-fashioned townscape. A portion of the owner’s home was remodeled to make a space for the museum. The museum presents the history and culture of Naramachi via folk custom materials, signs, Buddhist imagery, artwork, and old items once used as part of people’s everyday lives from the Edo to the Taisho periods. The museum also sells “migawari-saru (monkey),” local charms which provide protection from evil and harm. Museum entry is free. Closest station: Kintetsu-Nara Station.

A small museum with huge passion. A rather eclectic collection of things from old Nara. Felt refreshing after visiting the more obvious sites with the crowds. Spent maybe 30-45 mins in there and I...
Daian-ji Temple

4.0

27 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Narashi Daianji 2-18-1

This temple is located at Daian-ji 2-chome in Nara City. It originated from Kumagori-shoja Monastery, which was built by Prince Shotoku. The wooden standing statue of the Eleven-headed Kannon has been designated an Important Cultural Property, and there’s also a wooden standing statue of the Four Heavenly Kings and other Buddhist statues from the Nara period. Nowadays, it is known as the “cancer sealing temple.”

従来であれば秋10月1日-11月30日に《本尊；十一面観音菩薩立像（国重要文化財）一本造...
Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

3.5

65 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Narashi Zoushichou 434

This is a shrine in Nara City. It is located in Tamukeyama which is famous as a beauty spot for its autumnal leaves, and it is built to the north of Tōdai-ji’s Hokke-do Hall (also called “Sangastu-do Hall”). Its origins lie in the summoning and enshrinement secured from Kyoto’s Usa Hachimangu Shrine which were the deities summoned to protect Tōdai-ji on the occasion of Tōdai-ji and the Great Buddha being built. The ancient log house structure of the treasure house was relocated from the master’s warehouse from Tōdai-ji’s oil storehouse in the Nara period, and it is designated as an Important Cultural Property. Also housed on the grounds of the temple are such a National Treasure as a “Chinese-style ritual saddle” and an Important Cultural Property like a “21 wooden bugaku theatre mask”.

A small, attractive shrine. I purchased my first goshuincho there, and the lady wrote something lovely that I cant yet read (my Japanese is limited!) in my book, so I was very pleased.
Tsukigase Plum Ravine

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Narashi Tsukigaseoyama

Tsukigase Plum Ravine is a forest of plum trees that extends along the Satsuki River (part of Nabari River) ravine. One of the three largest plum forests in Nara Prefecture, it is well known as a site for viewing blossoms. About 10,000 plum trees grow there, and during blossom season, the entire forest is a riot of red and white flowering trees. The Tsukigase Plum Ravine Festival, held during blossom season, attracts large numbers of tourists.
Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo Culture

4.0

35 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Asuka 10

This cultural museum focuses on the Manyoshu ancient collection of Japanese poetry as well as other classical culture. There's the Japanese Painting Exhibition Hall which has a variety of exhibitions centered around Manyo Japanese paintings, the Manyo Theater where you can experience the Manyo world through music and light, as well as the Special Exhibition Hall where you can see replicas of artifacts from the Asukaike Workshop archeological site discovered on the premises. There are also the Manyo Library and Information Room, Museum Shop, and Manyo Garden located onsite.

花見目的のドライブから宿に戻る途中たまたま当館の前を通り、まだ少し時間があったことと、駐車場も入館料も無料だったので、ほんの時間潰しぐらいのつもりで入館しました。そんな私たち夫婦に当館のボランティア解説員の方が、展示物や飛鳥時代の歴史についてたいへん詳しく、また時にはジョークを交えながら面白おかしく説明しながら、館内を案内して下さいました。そのおかげで、たいした知識もない私たちでも、たいへんよく理...
Shionoha Onsen

4.0

20 Reviews

Accommodations / Hot Spring

Nara Yoshino-gun Kawakamimura Shionoha 391

A rare carbonic acid-containing alkaline spring was discovered while boring 150 meter into the ground in the Hato no Tani valley, leading to the building of the Shionoha Onsen Yumoto Yamabatoyu hot spring inn. The hot spring's waters are said to treat nerve pain, muscle soreness, joint pain, frozen shoulders, motor paralysis, chronic digestive diseases, chronic women's diseases, hysteria, sensitivity to cold, bruises, sprains, and nine other ailments. The inn's outdoor bath offers a sweeping view of a dam lake enwrapped in the Yoshino cedar forest, and as time passes its waters turn from colorless to a golden yellow; this coupling of gorgeous scenery and colored waters engenders a sense of paradise in bathers. The inn's cuisine, made with locally caught river fish, edible wild plants, and vegetables is also renowned, and dishes such as the Koyo Nabe hotpot, boar stew, and duck hotpot boast many fans.

粉雪舞う中、たどり着いたのは、ポツンと一軒家風の古めかしい温泉。中に入るとイノシシのはく製がお出向え。雑然としたフロントの昭和感もほどよく、一気に湯舟へと突き進んだ、と言いたいところだけれど、「調理に時間がかかるのであらかじめ予約がおすすめ」と触れ込みのあった釜飯を予約。さて、浴室の扉を開けると目に飛び込んできたのは土色の湯。浸かるとそれほどとろみは強くなく、ここちよりやわらかさ。体がじっくり芯か...
Enjo-ji Temple

4.5

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Narashi Ninnikusenchou 1273

This is an old temple said to have been built in the Heian period, known as one of the five important temples of Kita-Yamato. Inside the grounds are lined historic structures including Japan's oldest Kasuga-zukuri style main building, the Kasuga-do and Hakusan-do Shrine designated as National Treasures, and a main building (containing an enshrined image of Amitabha) with an attached stage said to have been rebuilt in the Muromachi-period (1336-1573). The beautiful garden around the central pond stretching out from the two-storied gate Romon was favored by the nobility from the Heian to Kamakura periods and is an important remaining example of what resembles a Heian-style garden featuring characteristics of both shuyu-shiki and jodo-shiki.

柳生道の中間地点ほどに位置している古刹です。大日如来坐像は国宝で、運慶初期の作だそうで、豊かな表現力が青年期の運慶を物語っています。金箔が所々に残っていました。浄土式庭園も見どころです。春日堂・白山堂も国宝です。
Ohno-ji Temple

4.0

55 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Udashi Murouono 1680

This old temple with a very long history was first founded by En no Gyoja (En no Ozuno), the founder of Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts), and then Kobo Daishi had the main temple building built in 824. The standing statue of Jizo Bosatsu, an important cultural property which resides in the main hall, is called the Migawari Jizo (Scapegoat Jizo) because, according to legend, it saved an innocent girl from being burnt at the stake. The temple is famous for its small weeping cherry trees, said to be over 300 years old, and the 100 year old weeping cherry trees. Carved into the rock face across the Uda River is the Miroku Magaibutsu sculpture, the tallest Buddha carving in Japan.

楊柳山大野寺（ようりゅうざんおおのでら）は、奈良県宇陀市室生大野（ならけんうだしむろうおおの）にある真言宗室生寺派の寺だ。681年に役小角が開基したと伝わる役行者霊蹟札所で、本尊は弥勒菩薩（みろくぼさつ） 824年に空海が堂を建立して「慈尊院弥勒寺」と称したとされている。磨崖仏（まがいぶつ）があることでも知られる。 2022年1月5日、この日はトマト＆オニオン奈良榛原店でランチを済ませた。そこ...
Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Yoshinoguntenkawamura Tsubonouchi 107

Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine (Tenkawa-jinja) is a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten (Sarasvati), the deity of art and music. It is considered one of the Three Great Shrines of Benzaiten. The shrine is famous for attracting many entertainers to its doors. It also has a history of being the place where the Buddhist monk, Kobo Daishi, retreated to for a thousand days. The solemn atmosphere found here in the mountains cleanses the heart and in recent years it has become popular as a power spot. There is also a large collection of valuable artifacts related to Noh, and Noh performances are held at the shrine three times a year.
Asuka Historical Museum

4.0

32 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Okuyama 601

The village of Asuka, in the Takaichi District of Nara Prefecture, whose name was once written with the characters for “Soaring Bird,” is well-known as the ancient birthplace of the nation we now call Japan. The Asuka Historical Museum was opened in 1975 to investigate, research, and exhibit cultural properties from the area around Asuka Village. The museum has artifacts excavated from sites like the Takamatsuzuka Tomb on permanent display, teaching visitors about the history and culture of Asuka from the time Buddhism was conveyed to Japan in the sixth century up to the transition of the capital to Nara in the early eighth century. The museum also contains a recreation of the Yamada-dera Temple, an early Buddhist temple erected by Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro, who was accused of treason after the Taika Reforms of 645.

キトラ古墳と高松塚古墳を中心に発掘品や石碑が展示されていて静かに鑑賞できました。古代からの飛鳥の地が 1400年経った今でもここに続いていると思える古墳群の中に資料館がありました。
Tsubosaka-dera Temple (Minami Hokkeji Temple)

3.0

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Takaichi-gun Takatori Cho

This old Shingon sect Buddhist temple, known as the sixth temple on the Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon Temples Pilgrimage, is said to have been built in 703. The eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon (Bodhisattva or Goddess of Mercy) enshrined there as the honzon (principal object of worship) has a miraculous effect on eye disease, and attracts a great many worshippers from across the country. The three-storied pagoda and Reido have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

お寺に入ってすぐ右側にある大きなホール。平成の建築なので、歴史的な重みはないが、内部にはいくつかの仏像が安置されており、自由に拝観できる。観光名所としては、少しもの足りない。
Hokke Do (Sangatsu Do)

4.0

48 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Nara-shi Zoshicho 406-1

There is an impressive and very old statue of Guan Yin or Kannon in this place. Apparently its over a thousand years old. There are also the four heavenly kings that are also very old. But it is an...
Oouda Onsen Akino no Yu

4.0

23 Reviews

Accommodations / Hot Spring

Nara Pref. Udashi Oudahirou 250-2

This complex facility is located in the Kokoronomori Sogofukushi Park, in Odahiro, Uda City. Attached to the facility are an outdoor natural hot spring and a cypress bath using the water from the hot spring said to be one of the prefecture’s best “Beauty’s Spring.” Bathers must wear swimsuits. There is also a restaurant directly managed by the local farm and a BBQ garden (UDASUN), where customers can enjoy BBQ without bringing anything, allowing customers to bathe and enjoy a meal in the same visit.

平日、温泉とランチを体験しました。今回は、半額キャンペーンで、豪華定食と温泉がセットになっているプランでした。食事は、田舎ゆえ、期待していなかったのですが、豪華なランチセットでした。天ぷら、刺身盛り合わせは量が多く、技術もなかなかのものでした。食事の後の温泉は、PH９を超える、トロトロの湯という事でしたが、循環のためか、塩素がきつすぎるように思いました。サウナあり、露天風呂あり、地元の方の...
Roadside Station Udajimuro

3.5

9 Reviews

Transportation

Nara Pref. Udashi Murousambonmatsu 3176-1

This roadside station located off National Route 165 in Murousanbonmatsu, Uda City features a number of different attractions. These include a store selling original products including the local specialty of kikuimo (Jerusalem artichoke) powder, a farmer's market offering vegetables grown locally in Murou, and a restaurant offering donburi rice bowls, noodle dishes, Japanese-style set meals, and Buddhist cuisine made with local produce.

宇陀市室生にある道の駅で、道の駅のすぐ横には宇陀川が流れていて、国道向かいには近鉄大阪線の電車が通過する、撮り鉄の方にはいいスポットかもしれません。近鉄大阪線の三本松駅は近いです。地元のとれたて野菜が人気のようで、持ち帰ることを考えると、購入できなかったのが心残りでした。
Tatsutataisha Shrine

4.0

23 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Ikomagunsangouchou Tatsunominami 1-29-1

This shrine was said to have been established nearly 2,100 years ago during the reign of Emperor Sujin, Japan's 10th emperor. It enshrines the Shinto gods Ame no Mihashira and Kuni no Mihashira. These tutelary deities of the air control everything between heaven and earth, namely the atmosphere, the breath of life, and the wind. The shrine's annual events, such as the Daidonto Festival and Setsubun (the ceremonial beginning of spring) are very popular.

大和川を挟んで、水神を祀る廣瀬大社と一対とされる，風神を祀る神社です。二十二社の一つ。拝殿の柱に巻きつけられた注連縄が龍のようで独特で強い印象を与えます。手筒花火を用いた7月の風鎮大祭の時期に再訪したい神社でした。
Ryosenji Temple

4.0

21 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Nara-shi Nakamachi 3879

A temple in Naka-machi, Nara City. It was founded by the monk Gyoki under orders from Emperor Shomu in 736. The main hall was rebuilt during the Kamakura Period and has been designated a National Treasure. The temple holds many precious Buddhist statues including the principal object of worship, a seated statue of Yakushinyorai which has been designated an Important Cultural Property. There's also a rose garden on the grounds with 2,000 rose plants covering 200 different varieties.

綺麗に設えられたバラ園はそれなりに美しい。花は咲き始めたり既に盛りであったりする。いくつかの香り高い種類を期待して行ったが蕾もろくにない種類もあった。見事なバラ園は世間にいくつもあるが、この種類豊富なバラ苗販(直)売所は珍しいかもしれない。次々と売れていくから、今年は何度か通ってみようかと思う。
Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Ikomashi Nabatachou 2312-1

A long-standing family-oriented amusement park which was established in 1929 and which occupies the top of Mt. Ikoma 642 meters above the ground. The park can be reached by riding the Ikoma Cable Line from Ikoma Station. The park is filled with attractions to delight children and parents, including a merry-go-round, flume ride, and the oldest “flying tower” plane ride in Japan. Park visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of Osaka City, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Nara, and Kyoto; in summer, the park is open at night, and the night view is considered superb. Park entry free.
Horin-ji Temple

4.0

46 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Pref. Ikomagunikarugachou Mi 1570

A Buddhist temple located in Mii, Ikaruga Town. Founded in the Asuka period, the temple is said to have been erected by Prince Yamashiro no oe, son of Prince Shotoku. No structures from the time of the temple’s foundings remain today. The temple’s three-tier pagoda, designated a National Treasure in the Meiji period, burned down after a lightning strike in 1944; it was rebuilt in 1975. The temple houses numerous precious Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Properties, including an Asuka period seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha),

After I visited Horyuji, I walked to Horinji. It takes maybe 20 minutes, and it is very pleasant to walk by watching a rustic landscape. Unfortunately, the pagoda of Horinji is a reconstruction in...

Nara City Ikaruga / Yamatokoriyama Asuka Kashihara Yamanobe Road / Sakurai Yoshino Tenkawa Village / Totsukawa Village Ikoma

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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.