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’Todai-ji’ or the ‘Great Eastern Temple’ is Japan’s largest Buddhist temple and Nara’s most popular attraction. Founded in 738, construction of the immense temple was not completed until 752 from whi...

As much as any temple, Nara Park is a focal point for life in the historic city. Established in 1880, the expansive public area covers around 660 hectares and includes many of Nara’s most notable att...

‘Kasuga Taisha’ or ‘Kasuga Grand Shrine’ is the most important Shinto complex in Nara. Located at the heart of Nara Park, Kasuga was founded in the same period as the city itself, dedicated to the pr...

Once one of the ‘Nanto Shichi Daiji’ or ‘Seven Great Temples’ of Nara, Kofuku-ji dates back to the 7th century when it was the family temple of the powerful Fujiwara clan. The temple complex is compr...

Magome-juku is a historic post town—known as "juku" or "shukubamachi"—that once serviced the 500km "Nakasendo Road" that connected Kyoto and Edo (now called Tokyo). As one of five official hi...

Tsumago-juku is a historic post town, known as "juku" or "shukubamachi," situated on the 500km long "Nakasendo Trail" that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern Tokyo). As one of five official highway...

The famous Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route stretches 37.2 kilometers across the Central Japan Alps with changes in elevation amount to a massive 1,975 meters. There are many interesting places to see,...

Certainly Japan’s most famous artist, Katsushika Hokusai – more commonly referred to simply as Hokusai – spent some of his final years residing and painting in Obuse. Under the patronage of a wealt...

The Ganshoin Temple in Obuse is one with a long history. The most famous item of the temple is a painting made in 1848. Inside the temple you will find the last masterpiece of famous painter Hokusai ...