Plateau Spots in Yamanobe Road / Sakurai Area

  • 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"")."

Nara Areas

around-area-map

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.

Nara Photo Album

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