Rock Spots in Nara Area

  • Itto-seki Split Boulder
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Pref. Narashi Yagyuchou
    This massive stone, split right down the middle, is located in the southeast corner of Hotoku-ji Temple in Yagyucho, Nara City. Legend has it that it was cleaved in twain with a single sword stroke by Yagyu Munetoshi (Sekishusai), the founder of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of swordfighting, during a duel with a Tengu (long-nosed goblin). This is the origin of the stone's name Itto-seki (single stroke stone).
  • Byobuiwa Rock
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Pref. Udagunsonimura Nagano
    Byobu Rock is a rock formation located to the west of Kabuto Dake Peak in the village of Soni, Uda County, Nara Prefecture. It extends for two kilometers, and when viewed from the south, it looks like a byobu (folding screen), due to the series of sheer cliffs that look like a sharp saw blade. Mitsuba azaleas grow wild on the rock wall, and 300 large mountain cherry trees in the park at the foot of the rock bloom from mid to late April and are illuminated at night. In the fall, visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the autumn leaves. In 1934, the rock was designated a National Natural Monument.
  • Seishi Rishi
    Travel / Tourism
    Tenkawa village Yoshino gun, Nara prefecture
  • KaneKakeiwa
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Prefecture Yoshino-gun Tenkawa
  • Gohyakurakan Iwa
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Takaichi-gun Takatoricho
  • Kabutoiwa
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Uda-gun Sonimura
  • Mt.Kotaro Iwa
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Uda-gun Sonimura

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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