October 2019 - March 2020

Exquisite Japanese Gardens in Nara
Journey to two World Heritage Sites in the Nishinokyo Area
Hidden Treasures & Hidden Buddhas Special Public Openings
Photo：National Site of Scenic Beauty “The Garden of Former Daijo-in Temple（名勝旧大乗院庭園）”

Exquisite Japanese Gardens in Nara

Jikoin Temple

Gardens in Japan are reflections of the traditional insights of Japanese people. Since ancient times, the Japanese have discovered
subtle beauty in nature and the seasonal transitions. There are a variety of designs of Japanese gardens: “Shakkei,” meaning“borrowed scenery,” is one of the popular forms which incorporates distant mountains behind the garden as a part of the
background design. Other forms are utilizing plants and rocks to represent mountains and rivers while still more employ the entire
garden design to express the profound world of Buddhism. Japanese gardens illustrate the aesthetic of Japan which extracts true
beauty from the natural world.

慈光院

Jikoin Temple was commissioned by Sadamasa Katagiri (aka Sekishu) who
was a samurai governing the area and also a tea ceremony master about 350
years ago. It imparts a different structure from other temples since the entire
temple grounds were designed to be the venue for tea ceremony. You can takea Nara Kotsu Bus bound for Horyuji Temple from Kintetsu Koriyama Station.
You will reach “Jikoin” bus stop after about 10 minutes, however, getting off
at the next stop, “Katagiri Nishi Shogakko” is recommended as it is closer tothe temple entrance. Return on the same road for about 100 meters and turnleft at the traffic light, then the stone-paved temple approach will appear on
your right-hand side.
The approach is shaded by trees with their roots exposed on the steep
mound. You may find this temple somewhat lonesome, however, upon
passing through the thatched roofed Ibaraki-mon Gate, you will encounter a
totally different scenery. A broad and bright garden with beautifully trimmed
rhododendron bushes will welcome you. The view from the Shoin Room
(Important Cultural Property) is the most stunning. You can enjoy matcha
and a sweet in Shoin while appreciating this superb garden.

The temple founder, Sadamasa Katagiri (aka Sekishu), was also
the founder of the Sekishu School of tea ceremony. The garden
and Shoin Room you can see today remain exactly the same as
when the temple was founded. There is the Hojo (main hall) behind
Shoin where a statue of Sekishu is enshrined with a painting of a
dragon on the ceiling.

Jikoin Temple Shoin Room (Important Cultural Property)

9:00-17:00 (last entry: 17:00) 0743-53-3004
1000 yen (with matcha tea)
A 20-min. walk from JR Yamato Koizumi
Station, or take a bus bound for Horyuji Temple from Kintetsu Koriyama Stationand get off at Katagiri Nishi Shogakko (approx. 19 min.).
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00505/

Photo: Jikoin Temple

Isuien Garden

依水園

Taimadera Temple flourished as a massive Buddhist temple at the foot of Mount
Nijo, the local symbol of spiritual worship, since ancient times. The spacious
temple precincts accommodate a number of sub-temples which support Taimadera
Temple and Nakanobo is one of them. From Kintetsu Taimadera Station, you willfind a shop, Chujodo Honpo, which sells a popular local specialty, Chujo-mochi(rice cake using felon herb topped with sweet red bean jam). Turn to the right at
the shop and walk for about 10 minutes, then, Niomon Gate (Todaimon Gate) willappear in front of you. Go through the gate and the building with white walls is
Nakanobo, home to Koguen Garden. Situated behind the Shoin Room (Important
Cultural Property), the garden is not so large yet incorporates some special
skills. With low earthen walls separating the gardens into inside and outside, andincluding the East Pagoda (National Treasure) as Shakkei (borrowed scenery)
makes the garden look more spacious than it actually is.

Isuien Garden is situated on the west side of the famous Todaiji
Temple which is one of the representative superb gardens in
Nara. The garden consists of two parts: Zen-en, or Front Garden,
and Ko-en, or Back Garden. The Front Garden spreads out juston the right-hand side of the entrance. A large pond with a small
island is located at the center. At Sanshutei room by the pond,
visitors can enjoy meals such as Mugi-meshi Tororo (cookedrice and barley with grated yam potato). With its thatched roof,
Sanshutei emanates a truly classical Japanese atmosphere. Its
appearance is also exquisite when viewed from across the pond.
The vast Back Garden utilizes the Shakkei (borrowed scenery)technique skillfully having Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji Temple,
Mount Wakakusa and Mount Mikasa as its backdrops. Strolling
along the pond, you will discover small charms one after anothersuch as a tea ceremony room, a hut with a water wheel, and alittle waterfall.
The two gardens were created in different periods. The Front Garden was made about 350 years
ago by a wealthy merchant in Nara who amassed a fortune from his quality Nara Sarashi (linen
fabric) business which used to be one of the main products of Nara. The Back Garden wascompleted in the modern age and was commissioned by a local business person. Both gardens
display their sublime beauty throughout the year, however, the best season to visit would be inautumn when trees will be dressed with colored leaves.
9:30-16:30 (last entry: 16:00) ※ Closed on Tuesdays (open every day in Oct. & Nov. 2019; closed during
maintenance period of the garden (end of Dec. to late Jan.) 0742-25-0781 900 yen
Approx. 15-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Station (west side of Todaiji Temple)
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00493/
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Opening hours

Telephone

Admission

Directions

Koguen Garden in Nakanobo of Taimadera Temple 當麻寺中之坊 香藕園

URL

Other useful information

Nakanobo houses the oldest temple buildings in Taimadera Temple complex where themonks lived. It is said that the legendary Princess Chujo cut her hair at this temple andbecame a nun. She is said to have woven
an exceptional mandala called Taima
Mandala (National Treasure) which depicts
the imaginary Buddhist Pure Land. The
main image of the temple is an Elevenfaced Kannon which is believed to be theguardian deity of Princess Chujo.
9:00-17:00 (last entry: 16:30)
0745-48-2001
500 yenApprox. 15-min. walkfrom Kintetsu Taimadera Station
https://www.visitnara.jp/destinatio
ns/destination/taimadera-temple/

Training Hall for Tracing Buddhist Images “Roomwith Decorative Ceiling Paintings”

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Yakushiji Temple, in the process of restoration
and Toshodaiji Temple, where the ambience ofancient Nara is still alive
Journey to two World Heritage Sites
in the Nishinokyo Area

After seeing the statues of Miroku Bosatsu (Important Cultural Property) and the Stone
Footprints of the Buddha (National Treasure) in the Daikodo Hall, cross the street to the Genjo
Sanzoin Garan. Entry to the inside of the temples is possible only during limited times inspring and autumn and from January 1st to 8th. Here you can enjoy the superb “Wall Paintingof the Great Tang of the Western Regions” by the renowned Japanese painter, Ikuo Hirayama(1930-2009). Hirayama spent almost 30 years attempting to recreate the extraordinary journeythat Genjo Sanzo, a highly respected Chinese monk, made.
Leaving Yakushiji Temple to the west, a little path stretching to thenorth will lead you to Toshodaiji Temple. It is a nice five-minute
walk seeing old houses here and there. In contrast to massive
Yakushiji Temple with its vivid vermillion color, Toshodaiji
Temple emanates a sedate and historical ambiance. The temple ishome to many valuable Buddhist statues and artifacts such as thesitting Rushana-butsu (National Treasure), the standing statue ofYakushi Nyorai (National Treasure), and the standing statue ofThousand-hand Kannon (National Treasure) in the Kondo Hall
(National Treasure). Generally, the Raido Hall (Important Cultural
Property) is not open to the public, but the doors will be opened
specially from October 21st to 23rd and visitors can view the Kinki
Reliquary (National Treasure) and the standing statue of Shaka
Nyorai (Important Cultural Property) along with other exceptional
Buddhist assets.
Kinki Reliquary(National Treasure)
Photo : Askaen Co. Ltd.

Nishinokyo is the area located on the west side of Japan’s ancient capital Heijokyo, founded about 1300 years ago. Many historicalsites from those days still remain, such as Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine, Kikohji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Yakushiji Temple.
Yakushiji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple are especially popular and are both designated as World Heritage Sites. The two temples
are adjacent to each other and located within walking distance from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station.
Yakushiji Temple Hakuho Garan

Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu Standing Statue (National Treasure)
Photo : Askaen Co. Ltd.

*1 Special opening of the interior of the first floor of the West Pagoda and the statue of Shaka Shiso*2 Special opening of Jikido Hall
From September 16th (Mon. / nat'l holiday) to November 30th (Sat.), January 1st (Wed. / nat'l holiday) to January 8th (Wed.), 2020, March 1st (Sun.) to June 30th (Tue.),
2020, August 13th (Thu.) to 15th (Sat.), 2020

Yakushiji Temple

薬師寺

8:30-17:00 (last entry: 16:30)
0742-33-6001
When the Genjo Sanzoin Garan is opened : 1100 yen, When the Genjo Sanzoin Garan is closed : 800 yen.
*1 & *2: An additional 500 yen is necessary to enter each place.
⃝A short walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. ⃝Take a bus bound for Nara Pref. General Medical Center fromeither JR or Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at Yakushiji bus stop, and a short walk to the temple.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00499/

Photo : Askaen Co. Ltd.

The Yakushiji Temple complex lies just by Nishinokyo Station.
Upon exiting the station, you will see a street stretching to theeast which separates the two large precincts of Yakushiji Temple:
the one on the south side is called Hakuho Garan and the otheron the north side is Genjo Sanzoin Garan. Enter through the
Yorakumon Gate to Hakuho Garan. The first building you will
see is Jikido Hall which was reconstructed in 2017. Startingwith Jikido Hall, Daikodo Hall, Kondo Hall, and Chumon Gate,
were designed to stand in one straight line. The vermillion andwhite-colored walls appear vividly since all of these buildings
have also been restored in recent years.
B efore enter ing e ach bui lding , it is re commende d toproceed to the south end of the precinct until arriving at the
Nakamon Gate. There, upon turning around, you can enjoya magnificent view of the Kondo Hall at the center with theWest Pagoda and the East Pagoda (National Treasure) on
Yakushi Sanzon (Main Image) (National Treasures)
each side. The view is often described in poetry as if it were
Photo : Yakushiji Temple
the ancient imaginary palace, “Ryugu,” that one can findsomewhere at the bottom of the ocean. The main images enshrined in Kondo Hall are the three statues known
as Yakushi Sanzon (National Treasures). They remain in their original state as they miraculously survived
the fire in which the building itself was burnt to the ground. The dignified statue located at the center is thesitting Yakushi Nyorai, flanked by two attendants, Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu, who elegantly stand with theirhips slightly twisted. The three statues used to be entirely covered with gold which no longer remains, however,the dark blackish color of the present statues give them a more solemn look. Toindo Hall (National Treasure)standing on the east side of the corridor enshrines another valuable statue of a standing Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu(National Treasure) which was also produced during the Hakuho period with the Yakushi Sanzon. This is
another highlight that should not be missed. During the special opening period in spring and autumn and fromJanuary 1st to 8th, the statue of Shaka Shiso (*1) housed on the first floor of the West Pagoda and the Picture of
Amida Sanzon in the Pure Land (*2) will be open to public viewing.

Thousand-hand Kannon Standing Statue(National Treasure)
Photo : Askaen Co. Ltd.

Toshodaiji Temple

唐招提寺

Toshodaiji Temple was commissioned in the 8th century by a high-ranking Buddhist monk
named Ganjin who arrived in Japan from the Tang Dynasty of China in order to ensurethat the correct Buddhist commandments (norms which monks must follow) prevailed.
Fortunately, the temple buildings, including four buildings originally built at the temple’s
foundation, have never experienced large fires and other disasters and they still speak of the
feeling of the old Nara period.
8:30-17:00 (last entry: 16:30) 0742-33-7900 600 yen⃝Approx. 8-min. walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. ⃝Take a bus bound for Nara Pref. General
Medical Center from either JR or Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at Toshodaiji bus stop, and a shortwalk to the temple.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00500/

Access to Nishinokyo
From Kintetsu Nara Station, it takes about 15 minutes to reach Nishinokyo (changing
at Yamato Saidaiji Station to the trains bound for Kashiharajingu-mae or Tenri). Or, you
can rent a bicycle at Nako Rental Cycle Center outside Kintetsu Nara Station. Since
the distance between Kintetsu Nara Station and Nishinokyo is a little over 5 km, it will
make a nice cycling tour if the weather is fine. You can return the bike at Nako Rental
Cycle branch at Nishinokyo Station if you want to end the bike tour here. There arealso several shared bicycle stations (Docomo Bike Share, Mobike) available in the city.
*Nako Rental Cycle Nishinokyo Branch will be closed in Dec., Jan. and Feb.

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Hidden Treasures and Hidden Buddhas

Special Public Openings⃝Navigator / Jay Lalopoulos
Jay, from Australia, has lived in Nara for over 15 years
and has been involved in tourism in Nara since 2013. As asocial media writer and guesthouse owner, Jay provides
a wide range of local information from Nara to the world.

October 2019 to March 2020.

Hasedera Temple

長谷寺

Chogosonshiji Temple

朝護孫子寺

Hasedera is a temple located amongst the mountains in the Hase area. Thereis a little temple town near the Niomon Gate (Important Cultural Property)
and where shops sell local specialties, such as mugwort rice cakes. Enterthrough the gate and walk up the 399 steps (Important Cultural Property) toreach the main hall (National Treasure). Hasedera is also known as “Templeof Flowers” since the temple is adorned with seasonal flowers and plants
throughout the year. The leaves change to red and orange in autumn andelegant peonies start to bloom in winter.

The large precinct of Chogosonshiji Temple stands on Mount Shigi.
Approaching the temple along a path lined with lanterns from the nearby carpark, you will find a large papier-mâché figure of a tiger with the main hallbehind it. Several statues of Bishamonten, the deity of battle, are enshrinedin the main hall. Generally, visitors are allowed to worship the substitutional
statue only, however, the hidden main statues in the closed hall are open to the
public during a certain period at the beginning of the year and in February.

❶ Special Opening of the Picture Scrolls of Shigisan Engi “Amagimino Maki” (National Treasure) ❷ Bishamonten (Hidden Main Image)❶ Special Opening of the Main Image Dai Kannon (Eleven-faced
Kannon Bosatsu) (Important Cultural Property)❷ Autumn Special Exhibition of Temple Treasures (Shuhozo
Museum) (Important Cultural Properties and others)

The Picture Scrolls of Shigisan Engi (National Treasure) dating from the 12th
century, depict the religious experiences of a Buddhist monk, Myoren, who
successfully restored Chogosonshiji Temple. They consist of three volumes andthe reproductions are on a regular display in the Reihokan Museum in front of the main hall. In
autumn, the Amagimi-no Maki, the last volume of the scrolls, will be open to the public as a
special exhibit.

❶❷ October 12th (Sat.) to
December 1st (Sun.)
The main image of Hasedera Temple is a large standing Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu (Important Cultural
Property) which is over 10 meters tall. In general, visitors are allowed to see the image across from the main
hall but during the special opening period, you can enter inside and even can touch the feet of the Kannon.
Special opening of Shuhozo Museum is held at the same time.

Temple accommodation: there are three sub-temples and Shukubo, temple
lodgings, where visitors can stay overnight and can try shakyo (copying
Buddhist sutra by calligraphy brush) and zazen (meditation).

Morning devotion: a devotion exercise is held every morning at 7:00 (at 6:30 from April
to September) in front of the main hall. The solemn voices of monks’ chanting resonate
throughout the mountain.

0745-72-2277 (Honbo)❶❷ 9:00-16:00 ( ❷ last entry: 16:00; no entry if a ceremony is held)
Take a bus bound for Shigisanmon from JR or Kintetsu❶ 400 yen ❷ 500 yen (with an amulet)
Oji Station or Kintetsu Shigisan-shita Station, and get off at Shigi Ohashi, and an approx. 5-min. walk to
the temple.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00509/

9:30-16:30 (last entry: 16:00)
0744-47-7001❶ 1000 yen ❷ Free of charge * ❶❷ Additional admission fee is
An approx. 15-min. walk from Kintetsu Hasedera Station.
needed (500 yen)https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00517/

Kasugataisha Shrine

春日大社
Kasugataisha Shrine in Nara is the head shrine of some 3000 branch shrines
throughout the country. A long 1.5-km approach starts from the First Torii Gate to
the hallway (Important Cultural Property) where the main shrine halls are gathered.
General entry permits a visitor to come in front of the Heiden Hall and Buden Hall
(Important Cultural Properties), but the special entry allows you to pray toward themain hall (National Treasure) from the Chumon Gate and Oro Hallway (Important
Cultural Property).

❶ Sacred Animals - Adorable Messengers of Deities - (National Treasure)❷ The Ancient Japanese Swords Kohoki by Yasutsuna (National Treasure) (Tentative Title)❶ September 7th (Sat.) to December 13th (Fri.) ❷ First term: December 28th (Sat.), 2019
to January 26th (Sun.), 2020. Second term: February 1st (Sat.) to March 1st (Sun.), 2020
A variety of special exhibitions is held at the Kasugataisha Museum near the Second Torii
Gate. The special exhibition scheduled to start from December, “The Ancient Japanese
Swords Kohoki by Yasutsuna,” displays valuable Japanese swords, including National
Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, produced by the oldest swordsmith school
led by Yasutsuna.

Deer Fortune: A lovely wooden deer has a fortune paper in his mouth.
English ones are available.

Sword, Tachi (long-sword)-style Blade Attributed to Yasutsuna
Photo:Kasugataisha Shrine

6❶ October 26th (Sat.) to November 10th (Sun.) ❷ January 1st (Wed.) to 13th
(Mon.), 2020, February 1st (Sat.) to 29th (Sat.), 2020

Opening hours of the Kasugataisha Museum 10:00-17:00 (last entry: 16:30)
0742-22-7788
yen ❷ 1000 yen⃝Take a bus bound for Kasugataisha Honden from either JR or Kintetsu
Nara Station, and get off at the last stop followed by a short walk to the shrine. ⃝Take the city
circular bus from either JR or Kintetsu Nara Station, and get off at “Kasugataisha Omotesando”,
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00487/
and approx. 10-min. walk to the shrine.

❶ 500

Kinpusenji Temple

金峯山寺

Kinpusenji Temple is the holy place of Shugendo, a native religion of Japan in which mountainworship and other religions, such as Buddhism, are combined. The temple is on the mountain which
can be reached by ropeway. The main hall, Zaodo (National Treasure), is a massive temple hallwith the height of 34 meters. The main images are three statues of Kongo Zao Gongen (Important
Cultural Properties) which are hidden from the public view in general but a special opening is heldaround the time when the cherry trees on Mount Yoshino change their colors in autumn.

❶ Special Opening of the Japan’s Largest Hidden Main Images, Kongo Zao Daigongen(Important Cultural Property)❷ Special Display of Main Images from 36 Temples in Relation to Enno Gyoja❶ October 20th (Sun.) to November 30th (Sat.)❷ November 13th (Wed.) to 17th (Sun.)

The statue of Kongo Zao Gongen is almost seven meters tall and is enshrined in the large zushi (shrine
hall with doors). Holding its right arm and leg up high, the dignified and powerful figure looks as if it werealive. During the special opening period of Zao Gongen, valuable main images from 36 temples related
to Enno Gyoja (the founder of Shugendo) will be gathered at Zaodo Hall and open to the public view.

Morning devotion: Morning devotion is held
every day at Zaodo Hall from 6:30. The soundof conch shell horn and drum echo throughout
the area.
8:30-16:30 (last entry: 16:00)
0746-32-8371
1000 yen
Approx. 30-min. walk from Kintetsu Yoshino Station
or take a ropeway to Yoshinoyama and an approx. 10min. walk to the temple.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00532/

Deer in Nara
Meeting deer roaming freely around Nara Park is one of thebest tourist highlights of Nara. There is an ancient legend whichsays that the Deity Takemikazuchi descended on the land of
Nara riding on the sacred white deer. Since then, the wild deer
inhabiting this area have been cherished as a sacred existence.
Today, approx. 1400 deer live around Nara Park as protected
species of the country. Although they are very tame, they arestill wild animals. Especially male deer in autumn can become
aggressive. Please remember that you must not feed deer withanything but deer crackers sold around the park for the sake of
their health.

Warning
The deer of Nara Park are wild animals. They can occasionallyattack people, so please be careful.

Bite

Kick

Butt

Knock down
The deer in Nara

Deer Antler Cutting Photo: Nara Deer Preservation Foundation

October is the time for the annual “Tsuno-kiri,” ordeer’s antler cutting event. The ritual has continued
for about 340 years and is one of the autumn
highlights of Nara. The male deer with big antlers
are gathered into the field surrounded by a fence
and their antlers are ritually cut using saw - it’s suchan energetic and exciting event. By the way, antlers
for deer are like nails of human beings, therefore,
deer experience no pain while their antlers are cut.
The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation sells the
cut antlers and the revenue will be utilized for thefurther protection of deer in Nara.

Access from Japan's Major Cities
From Kyoto

From Osaka

Kyoto
Osaka

Approx. 35 min

Approx. 35 min●●(Kintetsu Kyoto Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)(Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)

JR Nara Sta.

From Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport
From Kansai Int’l Airport● KintetsuKintetsu● Yamato-Yagi Sta.
Kashihara
Jingu-mae Sta.

Approx. 2h 25 min

Approx. 1h 32 min(Meitetsu Chubu Int'l Airport Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)(JR Kansai Airport Sta. - JR Nara Sta.)

Approx. 2h 31 min

Approx. 1h 35 min(Meitetsu Chubu Int'l Airport Sta. - JR Nara Sta.)

Kintetsu-Nara Sta.

(Nankai Kansai-Airport Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)

Nara

Mie

From Nagoya

From Hiroshima

Approx. 1h 37 min(JR Nagoya Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)

Approx. 2h 40 min(JR Hiroshima Sta. - JR Nara Sta.)

Narita Airport
Nara

From Fukuoka
Approx. 3h 50 min

Fukuoka Airport
Osaka Airport(JR Hakata Sta. - JR Nara Sta.)

From Tokyo
Approx. 3h 10 min

Kansai Int’l Airport

The NARA Visitor Center & Inn

Wakayama(JR Tokyo Sta. - Kintetsu-Nara Sta.)

Haneda Airport

Nara Travel Guide

https://www.visitnara.jp/

Address:3 Ikeno-cho, Nara
Phone:0742-81-7461(8:00-21:00)
https://www.sarusawa.nara.jp/

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Published by Nara Prefecture Printed September 2019