Ancient Trail, Farmland, Villages, Meet the Locals
Follow a pleasant trail through rural Japan. This part of the oldest road in Japan takes you through farmland and small country villages, past temples, shrines, burial mounds, orchards, and bamboo groves. Here, you’ll encounter the unvarnished Japan and truly get the feel for life in this country.
* No payment required at this time. Osaka Day Tours will soon contact you and confirm tour date availability. If your chosen date is available, you will be able to lock in your tour at that time.
Tour Time: 8:30-17:30 (9-hour tour)
Tour Guide: Kevin Riley
Included: Train transportation between Osaka meeting point and trailheads, entry fees, lunch from Kuma’s Kitchen, and a celebratory beverage on ride back to Osaka.
Standard Tour
- Ride the train from Osaka into the Nara Valley, passing through the mountains that divide the two prefectures.
- Admire the gigantic headquarters building of Tenrikyo. During Cherry Blossom Season, visit the beautiful Tenrikyo Weeping Cheery Trees.
- Enjoy a gentle walk along well-maintained dirt paths and paved lanes, through farmlands and forests.
- Communicate with the messengers of the gods (chickens) who roam freely at one of the oldest shrines in Japan – the family shrine of the ancient Mononobe clan. The sword of the first Japanese emperor is stored here.
- Stroll the maze of small streets in a moated village that has been continuously inhabited since the turbulent 14th century. Step back in time amongst the old houses. Discover the story behind the wooden spoons.
- Pass the massive burial tombs of two emperors from the 4th century. These man-made hills are impressive additions to the landscape.
- Stop at small produce stalls, where you can pick and choose local fruits and vegetables. During the summer months, there are also local stalls selling drinks and snacks.
- Visit a shrine with a rare triple torii gate – a very old style you won’t see elsewhere. Dedicated to the goddess of the sun, this shrine is believed to be the origin of the famous Ise Shrine.
- Enter a 1200-year-old temple, which once housed a small army. Enjoy a beautiful garden and the oldest wooden bell tower gate in Japan. You can ring the bell while making a silent wish to the Buddha.
- Drink the medicinal spring water at a small shrine to promote your good health or cure any current issues. You can even fill your water bottle with this special water, to take home to friends and relatives.
- Stop at the large Omiwa Shrine, which honours the mountain behind it. This is where sake brewers from all over Japan come to pray for a good brew. Check out the massive sugidama in the one shrine building.
- Celebrate your walk in the countryside with a complimentary beverage on the train ride back to Osaka.
* No payment required at this time. Osaka Day Tours will soon contact you and confirm tour date availability. If your chosen date is available, you will be able to lock in your tour at that time.
Special Requirements
- This tour is suitable for average walkers (total 19 km or 9 mi) in comfortable walking shoes.
- Rain can happen anytime in Japan, so a waterproof windbreaker is a recommended carry-along item.
- There are vending machines along the way, so there is no need to carry extra water.