Iwazononiimasu Takumushitama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Katashio-cho, Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. It is also known as Isononiimasu Takumushitama Shrine and is affectionately called Ryuomiyа, or the Dragon King Shrine, by local residents. With a history rooted in ancient religious traditions, it has long served as an important place of worship and a spiritual center for t...»
Tenjinsha Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Sanwa-cho, Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. It is also affectionately known by local residents as Takada Tenjinsha. Formerly called Tenjingu, the shrine is said to have acquired its present name following changes to Japan's shrine administration system during the Meiji period (1868–1912). For centuries, it has served as an important center...»
Yamatotakada City is located in west-central Nara Prefecture and serves as an important urban center in the Chuwa and Katsuragi areas. Although its municipal area is relatively compact, it is known for having the highest population density of any city in Nara Prefecture. Its proximity to Osaka has made it an important transportation and commercial hub for centuries, and today it remains a convenie...»
Hasehonji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism, located in Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. It is regarded as the oldest temple in the city and is also known by its mountain name, Myoonzan. Its principal object of worship is a statue of the Eleven-Headed Kannon, or Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in the style associated with Hasedera Temple. The statue is desi...»
Senryuji Temple is a Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha Buddhist temple located in Uchinomotocho, Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Nyoizan, and its principal object of worship is a standing statue of Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. Founded in 1600, the temple has a long and distinguished history and is widely known as Takada Gobō. Senryuji is one of the five pr...»
Fudōin Temple is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, located in Hongōchō, Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. Although surrounded by the modern city, its grounds offer a peaceful atmosphere and have long been a place of worship for the local community. The temple's main hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, making Fudōin significant from bo...»
Jūnisha Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Fujimori, Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. Formerly classified as a village shrine, it has been carefully maintained by the local community for generations. Fujimori lies in the northeastern part of the city and is known as one of the medieval settlements in the Yamato Basin that were surrounded by defensive moats. Sections of the moat remai...»
Mirokuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in the Doko district of Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture. Belonging to the Buzan branch of Shingon Buddhism, its formal name is Chūdōzan Mirokuji. The peaceful temple grounds have long been cherished by the local community. The temple is especially renowned for its principal image, a wooden seated statue of Miroku Buddha, which is designated ...»
Katsuragi City is located in west-central Nara Prefecture, bordering Osaka Prefecture. Blessed with rich natural surroundings and a long history, the city stretches along the eastern foothills of the mountains extending from Mount Katsuragi to Mount Nijō. Since ancient times, this area has served as an important crossroads for transportation, culture, and religious worship. Ancient burial mounds, ...»
Michi-no-Eki Katsuragi is a roadside station in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, located along National Route 166, beside the Minami-Hanna Road. Opened in 2016, it is conveniently situated just a short distance from the Katsuragi Interchange on the expressway. More than a place to take a break while driving, it serves as an important tourism hub where visitors can discover local food, regional cul...»
A Sacred Shrine in the Historic Katsuragi Region Nagao Shrine stands in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, and has long served as the chief shrine of the former Katsuge District in Yamato Province. It was recognized as a prestigious shrine in the ancient court's official shrine system and was later classified as a village shrine under the modern shrine ranking system. The surrounding Nagao Forest c...»
Discover the History and Culture of Sumo The Katsuragi City Sumo Museum, officially known as Katsuragi City Sumo Museum “Kehaya-za”, is a municipal museum located in Taima, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Opened in May 1990, it is one of Japan's few museums dedicated exclusively to sumo, the country's traditional wrestling sport. Through historical artifacts, educational displays, and hands-on e...»
A Sacred Place of History, Faith, Art, and Architecture Taimadera Temple, located in Taima, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, is one of Japan's historically and spiritually significant Buddhist temples. Unusually, it has maintained traditions associated with both Shingon Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. For more than 1,300 years, it has been an important center of devotion to the Taima Mandala, an...»
A Sacred Shrine on Mount Nijo Katsuragi Futakami Shrine, also known as Katsuragi Nijō Shrine, stands near the summit of Mount Odake, one of the two peaks of Mount Nijo, in Sōno, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Historically, it was known as Futakami Shrine or Katsuragi-ni-imasu-Futakami-no-Jinja. It is recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, an important ancient register of Shinto shrines, as a pres...»
Mount Nijo stands on the border between Katsuragi City in Nara Prefecture and Taishi Town in Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture. Historically, it was also known by its ancient Japanese name, Futakamiyama. Located in the northern part of the Kongo Mountains, it is characterized by two distinctive peaks: Mount Odake to the north, approximately 517 meters high, and Mount Medake to the south, ap...»
Michi-no-Eki Futakami Park Taima is a roadside station located along National Route 165 in Shinzaike, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Its name comes from Futakami Furusato Park, which lies immediately to the west, and Taima, the name of the former town in this area. Bringing together nature, history, and local food culture, the facility is a popular stop for both travelers and residents....»
Shiawase no Mori Park is a nature-rich park located beside Michi-no-Eki Katsuragi in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. It is an inviting place to take a break while shopping or enjoying a meal at the roadside station. With seasonal scenery and open spaces, the park is popular with families and tourists looking for a peaceful outdoor escape....»
Yashikiyama Park is a spacious historic park in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, combining important archaeological heritage with a rich natural environment. Covering approximately 58,000 square meters at the foot of Mount Katsuragi, the park is centered on Yashikiyama Kofun, a burial mound designated as a National Historic Site of Japan. It also features a variety of cultural, sporting, and recre...»
Katsuragi Sanroku Park is a nature-rich park at the foot of majestic Mount Katsuragi in the western part of Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Covering approximately 12.1 hectares, it is a popular local destination offering seasonal flowers, scenic views, and plenty of space to relax. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy outdoor activities with your family, or simply escape into nature...»
Katsuragi ni Imasu Hono Ikazuchi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Fuefuki, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. It has long been affectionately known as Fuefuki Shrine, or Fuefuki-no-Miya. Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a tenth-century register of Shinto shrines, it was classified as a Myojin Taisha, a prestigious category of shrine. Its historical standing suggests that it once enjoy...»
Sekkoji Temple is an ancient Jodo Buddhist temple located in Someno, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Jiunzan, and its principal object of worship is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. The temple is believed to have been founded approximately 1,300 years ago, during the Hakuho period of the late Asuka era. Archaeological discoveries and historical documents c...»
Kakinomoto Shrine is located in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, and is dedicated to Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, one of the most celebrated poets of the Nara period and a major figure in the Man'yoshu, Japan's oldest surviving poetry anthology. Revered in later generations as a poetic sage, Hitomaro holds an important place in Japanese literary history. The shrine is more than a historical site: it is...»
Hakanishi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Shinjo, Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. It stands west of Yashikiyama Kofun, a large ancient burial mound designated as a National Historic Site. The shrine’s name reflects this close connection with the surrounding archaeological landscape and has also been written using characters meaning “west of the mausoleum” or “west of the tomb.” Alth...»
Gonen-in is one of the subtemples of Taimadera, a historic Buddhist temple in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. It is widely known as a temple associated with Princess Chujo, a legendary figure central to the development of Pure Land Buddhist faith at Taimadera. Although it stands quietly within the larger temple complex, Gonen-in plays an important role in preserving the religious traditions and c...»
Okunoin is one of the largest subtemples within the historic Taimadera temple complex in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. It was established as the “Inner Sanctuary” of Chion-in, the head temple of Jodo Buddhism in Kyoto, and has a distinguished history closely connected with the spread of Pure Land Buddhist faith. Its official religious corporation name remains Okunoin, and it continues to serve ...»
Sainai-in is one of the historic subtemples within Taimadera, a celebrated Buddhist temple complex in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Traditionally, it has played an important role in protecting the temple grounds’ southwest direction, known in Japanese geomancy as the ura-kimon, or “rear demon gate.” According to tradition, Sainai-in was founded in 683, during the Hakuho period. Over the centuri...»
Taima-dera Nakanobo is the oldest of the subtemples at Taima-dera, located in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. Its origins date back to the Hakuho period (late 7th century). According to tradition, it was established by En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of Shugendo, as a place for ascetic training when Taima-dera was first founded. During the Nara period, under the 11th-generation abbot Jitsuga,...»
Oji Town is located in northwestern Nara Prefecture and has long played an important role as a transportation hub connecting Nara and Osaka. Although the town covers a compact area of approximately seven square kilometers, it offers a remarkable blend of history, culture, and natural scenery....»
Kanmaki Town is located in the northwestern part of Nara Prefecture, in the western section of the Nara Basin. Although relatively small, covering an area of approximately 7 square kilometers, the town brings together a rich blend of history, culture, and nature. Gentle hills and remnants of traditional rural landscapes give parts of the area a nostalgic atmosphere. The town’s name is believed to ...»
Izanagi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kanmaki Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. Listed in the ancient Engishiki Jinmyōchō, a register of shrines compiled during the Heian period, it is recognized as a Shikinaisha, or shrine officially recorded in that historical text. Its former shrine rank was that of a village shrine. The shrine stands on elevated ground near the so...»
Eifukuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple of the Jodo school, located in Oji Town, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Raigozan, and it has long been an important place of worship for the local community. According to tradition, the temple was founded by Gyoki, a prominent Buddhist monk of the Nara period who devoted himself to spreading Buddhism among ordinary people and carrying out public...»
Hobata Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Oji Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. It is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, an official register of shrines compiled in the Heian period, and is traditionally classified as a Myōjin Taisha, a shrine of particularly high standing. In the Meiji period, it was designated a village shrine under the former shrine-ranking system. The ...»
Kataoka Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Honmachi 2-chome, Oji Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, an official register of shrines compiled during the Heian period, it is classified as a Myōjin Taisha, a shrine of particularly high standing. In the Meiji period, it was designated a Gōsha, or district shrine, under the former shrine-ranking...»
Kawai Town is located in Kitakatsuragi District in the northwestern part of Nara Prefecture, on the western side of the Nara Basin. Covering approximately 8.23 square kilometers, the town spreads across the northeastern part of the gently rolling Umami Hills and has a population of around 20,000. People have lived in this area since prehistoric times. Today, Kawai combines a rich natural environm...»
Koryo Town is located in the southeastern part of Kitakatsuragi District in Nara Prefecture, in the west-central part of the Nara Basin. Blessed with a favorable location, the town has developed over the centuries through a blend of agriculture, industry, and culture. Ancient burial mounds, shrines, and parks are scattered throughout the area, creating a landscape where historical heritage blends...»
Umami Hills Prefectural Park is a large urban park extending across Koryo Town and Kawai Town in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. The park was developed to preserve and make accessible the Umami Kofun Group, an important collection of ancient burial mounds. The project began in 1984, and the park was fully opened in 2012. The park is divided into four areas: the Greenway Area, North Area,...»
Hirose Taisha Shrine stands in Kawai, Kawai Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. With a history stretching back to ancient Japan, it has long been revered as a shrine protecting water, agriculture, and abundant harvests. It was classified as a Myōjin Taisha, one of the highest-ranking shrines listed in the ancient Engishiki regulations, and is also one of the 22 prestigious shrines known...»
Samita Takarazuka Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound located in Kawai Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. It forms part of the central group of the Umami Kofun Group, an important concentration of ancient burial mounds in the southwestern Nara Basin. Designated a National Historic Site, the mound and its artifacts provide valuable insights into the authority, culture, and daily life...»
Sanuki Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine located in Mitsuyoshi, Koryo Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, an important tenth-century register of shrines, it has a long history of religious worship and was formerly classified as a village shrine under Japan's traditional shrine ranking system. The shrine is particularly famous for its association with...»
Kudara-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Koyasan Shingon school, located in Koryo Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. Although its exact founding date remains uncertain, the temple has a long history and is associated with traditions dating back to ancient Japan. Its peaceful grounds and historic buildings offer visitors an opportunity to experience the region's religious heritage a...»
The Umami Kofun Group is an extensive collection of ancient burial mounds spread across the Umami Hills and surrounding areas in southwestern Nara Prefecture. The group extends across Kawai Town and Koryo Town in Kitakatsuragi District, as well as parts of Kashiba City and Yamatotakada City. With more than 250 burial mounds, it is recognized as one of the Three Great Kofun Groups of Yamato, alongs...»
Suyama Kofun is a large keyhole-shaped burial mound located in Mitsuyoshi, Koryo Town, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture. It is one of the most important tombs in the central group of the Umami Kofun Group, an extensive collection of ancient burial mounds in southwestern Nara. Designated a Special Historic Site of Japan, Suyama Kofun is valued for its impressive scale, well-preserved structu...»
Hiranotsuka Anayama Kofun is an ancient burial mound located in Hirano, Kashiba City, Nara Prefecture. It is part of the Hirano Kofun Group and is an important archaeological site that sheds light on the burial customs and political culture of ancient Japan. Designated a National Historic Site in 1973, the mound is believed to have been built for a person of royal or otherwise high status. One the...»
Donzurubo, located in Kashiba City in western Nara Prefecture, is a striking natural attraction known for its unusual rock formations, pale cliffs, and distinctive geological landscape. Part of Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park, this area combines remarkable natural scenery with an important wartime history. Donzurubo is also the starting point of the Diamond Trail, a long-distance hiking rou...»
Kashiba City is located in west-central Nara Prefecture, where historic sites and natural landscapes coexist with modern residential neighborhoods and convenient urban facilities. With a population of approximately 78,000, the city has experienced notable population growth in recent decades, reflecting its appeal as a place to live, commute, and raise a family....»
The Ninji Temple Ruins are the remains of an ancient Buddhist temple believed to have been founded during the latter part of the Asuka period, in the seventh century. Located in the hilly area north of Mount Nijo in the western part of the Nara Basin, the site occupies a region that once served as an important transportation corridor connecting ancient Yamato, corresponding broadly to present-day ...»