Ryuchin Gorge
Ryuchin Gorge is a secluded natural sanctuary nestled in the upper reaches of the Fukatani River, which flows into Lake…
Places of Worship
Dragon Deity Destinations
Surrounded by mountains and blessed with pure, flowing water, East Nara Nabari has long been a place where people worship…
Ohara’s Weeping Cherry Tree at Gokuraku-ji Temple
This weeping cherry tree is located in the precincts of Gokuraku-ji Temple in Ohara, Uda City, Nara Prefecture. It is…
Weeping Cherry Tree at Enju-in Temple
Enjuin Temple, located at the base of Akame 48 Waterfalls, boasts stunning weeping cherry blossoms. The massive cherry tree that…
Himeshi Myojin Shrine
A rock shaped like a woman’s buttock is the object of worship, associated with a legendary princess. The name himeshi…
Yabashira Shrine (Iwaya, Yamazoe)
It is said that Junkei Tsutsui, a feudal lord from Yamato Province, stopped by this shrine before he attacked Iga…
Sumisaka Shrine
Sumisaka Shrine is known as Japan's oldest shrine dedicated to the deity of health. According to Japan’s oldest existing historical…
Sekita Shrine
In the 8th century, Kashima-no-kami, the chief deity of Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, is believed to have stopped by…
Kasuga Shrine at Tsuchiyahara
This shrine at Tsuchiyahara, one of the two Kasuga Shrines in Mitsue Village, is known for its large 400-year-old ginkgo…
Aoba no Taki Waterfall & Seiyo-ji Temple
This mysterious waterfall cascades from a forest behind Seiyo-ji Temple in Uda City, which had long been a place for…
Hingashi-no-Taki Falls
Just a five-minute walk from the sacred Niukawakami Jinja Shrine, Higashi-no-Taki (“The Eastern Waterfall”) flows into Yumebuchi, a deep pool…
Yatagarasu Shrine
This shrine enshrines Yatagarasu, a legendary three-legged crow, and is associated with the first emperor of Japan, Jimmu. Legend has…
Shisha Shrine
Located on Ise Honkaido, one of the oldest pilgrimage roads that connect Yamato, part of Nara Prefecture, and Ise, pilgrims…
Niukawakami Shrine (Middle Shrine)
The Niukawakami Shrine is located in the village of Higashiyoshino, an area that in ancient times had very close ties…
Kono-ji Temple
Konoji is assumed to be erected in 740 (Tenpyo 12, era of Emperor Shomu) by monk Gyoki and established its…
Chokyu-ji Temple
This ancient branch temple of Todaiji Kaidanin has 88 Jizo statues (guardian deity of travelers and children) installed by Chiryu-Shonin,…
Butsuryu-ji Temple
This temple is widely believed to have been founded in the year 850 by Kenne, a notable disciple of Kukai,…
Ryuketsu Shrine
Located just up the road from Murou-ji Temple, this sacred shrine is known as one of the most mysterious and…
Murou-ji Temple
A unique temple known as the “Nyonin-Koya” or “Women’s Koya” that has a history of progressive values towards women Located…
Ono-ji Temple
This temple is renowned for two very impressive 300-year-old shidare-zakura weeping cherry blossom trees, as well as 10 other trees…
Weeping cherry blossoms at Hozo-ji Temple
Weeping cherry blossoms and an intriguing hidden history Great samurai general Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have ordered to…
