Opportunities for culturalexperiences in Nara
Nara is famous for its many traditional crafts, refined over centuries, including sumi
ink and bamboo tea whisks. Many of them are still made using original techniques
today. Visitors can experience certain aspects of these crafts at one of several
workshops. There are also temples where visitors can get glimpses into the spirit ofJapan through practices such as zazen meditation. Here we introduce spots in Nara
Prefecture which offer such opportunities to see and learn about Japanese culture.
Icons /

TempleFeeTime required

Reservation

TelephoneDirections

URL

Making hand-made washi (Japanese paper) ／Fukunishi Washi Honpo 福西和紙本舗
Nara Area Guide■ Nara-city Area
■ Ikoma, Shigi,

Katsuragi Area
■ Asuka,
Kashihara,
Uda Area■ Yoshino Area

*If you need a guidance in English, inquire at NARA Visitor Center & Inn. Please refer to the back page for more information.

Gripped sumi ink experience ／ Kinkoen 錦光園
1,500 yen + tax per session (includes a paulownia wood box)

About 60 minutes

Need to book by midday the day before your session
An opportunity to try making nigiri zumi, which involves
squeezing or gripping raw sumi ink (sumi is made usingsoot). Workshops are held in long-established premises
where master craftsmen have been making traditional
Nara sumi for generations. You’ll have a chance tofeel the softness and warmth of the raw ink, all underexpert guidance. The precious, finished ink will be put
in a paulownia wood box for you to take home.

1,500 yen
About 60 minutes (about 15 minutes per person)
Booking accepted from 10 people. Must book in advance.
In spite of being thin, washi paper is resilient andlasts a long time. Recently, it has been used forthe conservation and repair of cultural treasuresand fine art works. You can try making this paper
at Fukunishi Washi Honpo, where traditional
Japanese paper-making methods are carefully
kept alive. You can make your own original
Japanese paper, adding colours.
0746-36-6513 (In Japanese only)
About 15 minutes’ walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. About 80 minutes
by train from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kintetsu Yamato Kamiichi Station (Change twice, at
Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Kashihara Jingumae Station) . About 15
minutes by taxi from Kintetsu Yamato Kamiichi Station.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A01475/

Meditation, Sutra copying ／ Shigisan Gyokuzo-in 信貴山玉蔵院
Meditation 1,000 yen. Sutra copying 1,500 yen
About 60 minutes
Booking required0742-22-3319 (In Japanese only)
About 5 minutes’ walk from JR Nara Station
http://kinkoen.jp/en/

Craft workshops include explanations about the history ofsumi, and the materials used to make it.
Photo: Kinkoen

Meditation, sutra copying, and other practices can beexperienced at Gyokuzo-in, one of several temple buildingsin the precincts of Chogosonshiji Temple, located half way
up Shigisan, a sacred mountain in the western part of Nara
Prefecture. They also
have shukubo temple
accommodation which
welcomes visitors to stay.
Overnight stays, as well
as shorter, day visits, aretherefore possible.

Making and learning about chasen (bamboo tea whisks) ／ Wahokudo Tango Tanimura 和北堂 谷村丹後
Please enquire
About 70 to 90 minutes
From 3 to 20 people. Must book at least 10 days in advance.
* Participants must be over 10 years old.
Elegant tea whisks, used in the tea ceremony, are a traditional craft
product of Takayama-cho in Ikoma City. Ikoma has been a centre of thetea whisk craft in Japan since the 15th century.
These workshops give you detailed insights into Wahokudo Tango
Tanimura, a fine whisk maker established 500 years ago and still
employing techniques handed down from father to son.
As well as observing, guests can also takeon the challenging task of wrapping threads
around the tines of a whisk, the final stage
in the process (additional fee required).
Photo: Wahokudo Tango Tanimura

0743-78-1755 (In Japanese only)
About 15 minutes’ walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. From
there, about 13 minutes by train to Kintetsu Tomio Station. Then by bus boundfor Hoji, get off at Okita bus stop. About 3 minutes’ walk.
https://www.tango-tanimura.com/en/

Aizome dyeing ／ Hakomotokan Konya 箱本館「紺屋」
Handkerchief (45cm x 45cm) from 1,200 yen. Kerchief (50cm x 50cm)
1,400 yen. Scarf (35cm x 135cm) 1,800 yen.
About 60 to 90 minutes
Booking required, Wed, Sat, Sun, Holidays: from 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 (eachAn opportunity to experience traditional aizome (indigo) dyeing at a restoredindigo dyer’s house where dyeing has been done for nine generations since
the Edo Period. Tying with clothes pegs and rubberbands, and then dyeing, produces vivid, original
patterns. There is a roadside canal, used for washingdyed indigo fabrics, adjacent to the building.

2

Visitors can also try wearing monk’s robes.
Photo:Shigisan Gyokuzo-in

0745-72-2881 (In Japanese only)
About 15 minutes by train from JR Nara Station to JR Oji Station.
About 10 minutes by bus, bound for Shigi Sanmon, from JR Oji
Station to Shigi Ohashi.
https://www.gyokuzo.com/english.html

A bowl of matcha tea at Jikoin Temple ／Jikoin Temple 慈光院
1,000 yen contribution
Booking not required
A temple built by Katagiri Sekishu of the Yamato Koizumi domain, founder of the Sekishu
school of tea. All visitors are welcomed with a cup of matcha tea and a Japanese sweetin the Shoin building, designated an Important Cultural Property. The garden is simply
beautiful. If you book the day before yourvisit, you can also enjoy a shojin ryori lunch(vegetarian cuisine) at 6,300 yen.

session up to 5 people). Tue, Thu, Fri: from 13:00 only (each session up to 3 people)

0743-58-5531 (In Japanese only)
About 4 minutes by train from JR Nara Station to JR Koriyama
Station. About 8 minutes’ walk from JR Koriyama Station.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/S01210/

Choose from: 8 postcards, A4 size sheet, or B4 size sheet.
Photo: Fukunishi Washi Honpo

Stunning colours produced using traditional techniques involving
natural fermentation of the dye.
Photo: Hakomotokan Konya

0743-53-3004 (In Japanese only)
About 8 minutes by train from JR Nara
Station to JR Yamato Koizumi Station. About
20 minutes’ walk from JR Yamato Koizumi
Station, or about 5 minutes by taxi.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00505/
The motif on the sweet served with the green tea is the Katagiri family
Warihachigai crest, a design of crossed hawk feathers. Photo: Jikoin Temple
3

Hidden Treasures and Hidden Buddhas

Special Public Openings
Introducing the special opening to the public of hidden treasures and hidden
Buddhas from March to September 2019.
Icons /

TempleOther useful information

High High school student

Opening hours

Jr. Junior high school student

Telephone

Admission

Elem. Elementary school student⃝Navigator / Yoko MATSUMURA
Representative of Nara
Prefecture Authorized Tour
Expert Group (NATEX)
Guiding overseas visitors in
Nara for more than 30 years.
Univ. University student

Directions

URL

Tsubosakadera Temple 壷阪寺❷ Tsubosakadera Temple O-minugui Kechien Sanpai, a devotional❶ Daihina Mandalaceremony for receiving the providence of Buddha

The largest in Japan. Hidden Standing Zao Gongen statue, the main object of worship(Important Cultural Property)
Saturday 30 March – Monday 6 May (Public Holiday)

Famous for its cherry blossom, a thousand or more trees in bloom cloak the mountain ridge.
Viewing points offer stunning panoramas.

❷ Saturday 6 April – Sunday 30 June

8:30 – 16:30 (last entry 16:00)
0746-32-8371 (In Japanese only)
Adults 1,000 yen, Jr. and High 800 yen, Elem. 600 yen
15 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.
About 90 minutes by train from Kintetsu Nara Station to
Kintetsu Yoshino Station. (Change twice, at Yamato Saidaiji
Station and Kashihara Jingumae Station). About 30 minutes'
walk from Kintetsu Yoshino Station. There is also a bus.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00532/

A famous temple, constructed at the beginning of the 8th century, located in the centre of Nara
Prefecture. The main object of worship is a seated eleven-faced Senju Kannon statue. Known as the
Buddha healing eye diseases, people continue to visit from all over the country. A 20m tall standing
Dai-Kannon statue and what is reputed to be one of the world’s largest stone images, the Tenjiku
Torai Dai-Shakanyorai statue, are also wonderful sights. During the special opening, both the elevenfaced Senju Kannon statue, and more than 1,500 hina-dolls, will be on display to the public.
During this period, local townhouses in Takatori-cho, where Tsubosakadera Temple is located,
will be open and can be visited to see hina-dolls.

Kinpusenji Temple 金峯山寺

Built on Yoshinoyama, the centre of the Shugendo Sect of Buddhism. En no Gyoja, the founder of
Shugendo, realising profound significance in Zao Gongen, had a statue made from cherry wooderected and worshipped in the Main Hall. This is how Kinpusenji Temple began. The principal
object of worship is a standing Kongo Zao Gongen. For the special opening, visitors will be able
to see the 7m tall three main statues. They have wrathful, scowling faces. However, they aresimply manifestations of Shaka Nyorai, Senju Kannon and Miroku Bosatsu (otherwise known as
Maitreya). These forms are taken purely to help guide people along the right path in life.

3 MARCH❶ Friday 1 March – Sunday 31 March

4・5 APRIL and MAY

Hidden standing statue of Kongo Zao Gongen(Central image)(Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Kinpusenji Temple❶ Daihina Mandala
Photo: Tsubosakadera Temple

8:30 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
0744-52-2016 (In Japanese only)
15❶ Adults 600 yen, Children up to High 100 yen ❷ Special admission 500 yen plus usual admission
minutes' walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. About 50 minutes by train from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kintetsu Tsubosakayama Station (Change twice, at Kintetsu Yamato
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00875/
Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Kashihara Jingumae Station). About 10 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Tsubosakayama Station to Tsubosakaderamae bus stop.

Gansenji Temple 岩船寺
Hidden Buddha – Nyoirin Kannon (Bodhisattva of Compassion) , Benzaiten , Rasetsuten

Daianji Temple 大安寺

Monday 1 April – Friday 31 May

Built in the 8th century. The main object of worship is a seated Amida Nyorai statue (Important
Cultural Property). The temple is much loved as the 'Hydrangea Temple', one of Kansai's 'Flower
Temples'. Benzaiten is the god of learning, wealth, and treasure. Rasetsuten, originally an Indianspirit, in Buddhist form became a benign goddess. Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, through the powers of
the Nyoihoju (wish-fulfilling stone), and the Buddha’s
teachings, bring salvation to all sentient beings. These
three images will be open to the public.

Hidden Buddha – Bato Kannon Bosatsu standing statue (Important Cultural Property)
Friday 1 March – Sunday 31 March

Built in the 7th century. Many overseas monks who travelled with envoys from Tang China in the 8th century
stayed here. The main image is an eleven faced standing Kannon statue, but apart from special opening days
it remains hidden. During this special opening, the oldest Bato Kannon in Japan will be open to the public.

Famous for its hydrangeas, the fresh spring
foliage is also well worth seeing

Bato Kannon usually have a horse’s head over their heads, but this Bato Kannon has thecharacteristic Bato decorations on its chest and around the ankles, and is extremely rare. Daianji
Temple is renowned as a temple to which people from all over the country come to pray for theprevention and healing of cancer. Many still come to offer prayers to ward off evil spirits.
Bato Kannon Bosatsu standing
statue(Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Askaen Co. Ltd.

9:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00)
0742-61-6312 (In Japanese only)
Adults 500 yen, High 400 yen, Jr. 300 yen, Elem. 200 yen
6 minute bus ride from JR Nara Station to Daianji bus stop, then 10 minutes' walk.
http://www.daianji.or.jp/en/

Hasedera Temple 長谷寺

Main object of worship seated Yakushi Nyorai (Important Cultural Property)
Thursday 18 April – Wednesday 8 May❶❷ Friday 1 March – Sunday 30 JuneAt the time when the temple was built in the 10th century, the temple precincts were large,
with 80 sub-temples and other buildings covering the mountain. Many of these were lost in
fires, but the surrounding nature remains beautiful. Today the temple is famous for its autumn
maple tree tints. The main object of worship, specially open to the public at this time, is a statue
seated on a plinth, in a unique posture with its knees apart and feet resting on lotuses.

Built in the 7th century. The current Main Hall, which features a large verandah, was rebuilt
in the 17th century. Beautiful peonies arranged on both sides of the corridor, which have 399
steps leading to the Main Hall, add colour in April and May. During the special opening, the main
statue, said to be 12m tall, will be on view to the public.

From the Reception Hall of Fukujuin Temple, rebuilt in
the 17th century, you can enjoy beautiful views in all
four seasons.

Visitors will have the opportunity, during this period only, to touch the feet of the main statue,
something which is usually not possible.

4

Photo: Nobuaki Koshinuma

Shoryakuji Temple 正暦寺❶ Main object of worship Dai Kannon Sonzo statue (Important Cultural Property)❷ Spring Special Temple Treasures Exhibition (Treasure Storehouse) (Important Cultural Properties etc.)

9:00 – 16:30 (last entry 16:00)
0744-47-7001 (In Japanese only)❶ Special admission 1,000 yen plus
usual admission for Jr. and older 500 yen, Elem. 250 yen ❷ Jr. and older 500 yen, Elem. 250 yen.
15 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station, then about 40 minutes by train (Change twice, at
Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Yamato Yagi Station) to Kintetsu Hasedera Station. 15 minutes' walk.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00517/

Hidden Buddha ・Benzaiten
Photo: Askaen Co. Ltd.

8:30 – 17:00 (last entry 16:45)
0774-76-3390 (In Japanese only)
Adults 500 yen, Jr. and High 400 yen, Elem. 200 yen
About 15 minutes by train from JR Nara Station to JR
Kamo Station. 16 minutes by bus to Gansenji bus stop.
Temple is immediately adjacent to the bus stop.

Standing eleven-faced Kannon statue (Mainimage) (Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Hasedera Temple

9:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
0742-62-9569 (In Japanese only)
Jr. and older 500 yen, Elem. 200 yen
About 25 minutes by taxi from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00546/

Photo: Shoryakuji Temple

Main object of worship seated Yakushi Nyorai(Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Shoryakuji Temple
5

Sekkoji Temple 石光寺

Kikohji Temple 喜光寺

The oldest Miroku stone statue in Japan

Hidden Ugajin Statue

Saturday 20 April – Monday 20 May

Friday 7 June – Sunday 18 August

Built in the 7th century. Otherwise known as Somedera Temple.
There is a well in which it is said that Chujohime (legendary princess
who, in the 8th century, wove the Taima Mandala with lotus threads),
dyed threads from the lotus in five colours. The oldest stone Buddha
in Japan, discovered in 1991, will be on display in the Mirokudo Hallduring the special opening.

Built at the beginning of the 8th century. The main object of worship is a seated
Amida Nyorai Buddha statue. The Main Hall is said to have been modelled on Todaiji
Temple’s Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), and is also referred to as the ‘GreatHall of Aspiration’. It is said that Ugajin was transferred from Kohfukuji Temple andworshipped here when the priest Eison (early 13th century) built the Bentendo Hall.
Ugajin has a mysterious form, with a coiled snake up to his neck and the face of anold man with long beard.
1

The temple is famous for its peonies in spring.

1 Miroku Nyorai Stone Buddha

Photo: Sekkoji Temple
8:30 – 17:00 (last entry 17:00)
0745-48-2031 (In Japanese only)
Jr. and older 400 yen, Elem. 200 yen
15 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. About 60
minutes by train from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kintetsu Nijojinjaguchi Station(Change twice, at Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Kashihara
Jingumae Station). About 13 minutes' walk.

One of the sites on the Nara City Lotus Road,
there are 250 lotuses planted in large pots.

2 Spring peony

Photo: Sekkoji Temple

2

Zuto 頭塔
Zuto, National Historic Site, Buddhist stone relief carvings(Important Cultural Property)

9:00 – 16:30 (last entry 16:00)
0742-45-4630 (In Japanese only)
High and older 500 yen, Jr. and younger 300 yen
About 20 minutes by bus from JR Nara Station to
Hanna Sugawara bus stop. Temple is immediately
adjacent to the bus stop. Alternatively, the temple is
5 minutes' walk from Horai Higashiguchi bus stop.

8 AUGUST
Hozanji Temple 寳山寺

Saturday 27 April – Monday 6 May (Public Holiday)

Shishikaku Hall (Important Cultural Property)

Remains of a pyramidal structure built in the 8th century by the Todaiji
Temple priest Jicchu as an expression of a desire for peace in the land.
The sides of the pyramid are about 32m square, and height 10m, making
it the largest of its type in Japan, and quite rare. On each side there are
multiple stone Buddhist relief carvings, line engravings, such as Nyorai
triptychs.

Friday 3 May (Public Holiday) – Monday 6 May (Public Holiday)
Sundays in August (4,11,18 & 25th) , Monday 12 August (Public Holiday)

In the 8th century, the place where En no Gyoja and Kukai (also known as Kobo
Daishi, the priest who founded Mount Koya) carried out their ascetic practices,it was restored by Tankai in the 17th century. Kangiten is worshipped here. The
Shishikaku Hall, which will be opened during this period, was built in 1884 as a guest
house, has Western architectural features. Coloured glass used at the time is still inplace today and can be seen as a part of the beautiful interior décor.

In an urban area, the pyramid is popular as a ‘spiritual place’.

Zuto, National Historic Site (Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Askaen Co. Ltd.

9:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
0742-22-2857 (Hotel Wellness Asukaji)
300 yen
About 20 minutes from JR Nara Station on the city circular bus to Wariishicho bus stop.

6・7 JUNE and JULY

Hidden Buddha Ugajin Statue
Photo: Kikohji Temple

Photo: Kikohji Temple

Much loved by locals as Shoten-san, it is believed prayers will help bringcommercial success, and that he will grant wishes.

Shishikaku Hall Internal (Important Cultural Property)
Photo: Askaen Co. Ltd.

9:00 – 16:00 (last entry 15:30)
0743-73-2006 (In Japanese only)
500 yen15 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. About 15 minutes by train from
Kintetsu Nara Station to Kintetsu Ikoma Station. From there take Ikoma cable to Hozanji Station.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00502/

Yatadera Temple 矢田寺
Ofusa Kannon Temple おふさ観音

Jizo Bosatsu standing statue, Enmado Hall (Important Cultural Property)
Saturday 1 June – Sunday 30 June

Lifelike dolls – Temple treasures

Built in the 7th century. Stone Buddha statues can be seen scattered across large areas around thetemple precincts on Yatayama. The main object of worship is a most unusual standing statue of Jizo
Bosatsu with thumb and forefinger forming a circle (Important Cultural Property, Hidden Buddha).
With no staff in its right hand, the image is known as the ‘Yata Form Jizo’. The Enmado Hall will
also be opened up. The structure houses, among others, Enma-O, one of the Ten who stands injudgment on crimes committed by people.

Wednesday 15 May – Saturday 31 August

In the 7th century, Kannon appeared from the pond on a white tortoise. The
story goes that Ofusa, a girl living nearby, discovered this, and built a small
hall to commemorate the discovery. The main object of worship is a standing
eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu statue (Hidden Buddha). An incredibly lifelike
doll, made by Yasumoto Kamehachi—known as a master doll maker, will beon display during the special opening.

Also popular as a ‘Hydrangea Temple’, with more than
10,000 hydrangea bushes.
9:30 – 16:30 (last entry 16:00)
0743-53-1522 (Nenbutsuin) (In Japanese only)
500 yen plus separate entry fee to temple: Jr. and older 500 yen,Elem. 200 yen
About 8 minutes by train from JR Nara Station to Yamato Koizumi
Station. Then by bus to Yokoyamaguchi bus stop. About 20
minutes' walk. When the hydrangeas are in bloom, a special bus
runs from JR Horyuji Station.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A01198/
6

1

A wind chime festival is held here in the summer. More than 2,500
wind chimes are hung and create a beautiful soundscape in the temple
precincts. The temple also has a famous rose garden.

1 Rose Festival

Photo: Ofusa Kannon
Temple2 Wind Chime Festival

Jizo Bosatsu standing statue (Important
Cultural Property)
Photo: Yatadera Temple

9:00 – 16:00 (last entry 16:00)
0744-22-2212 (In Japanese only)
Main Hall 300 yen
About 35 minutes by train from JR Nara Station to JR Unebi Station. 10 minutes' walk.
https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/E02048/

Photo: Kashihara-shi

2

7

Kohfukuji Central Golden Hall

Originally built between the years 710 and 714, the Chukondo (Central Golden Hall) of Kohfukuji Temple was lost to
fires sparked by warfare or natural disasters a total of seven times. Although it was successfully rebuilt the first six
times, the temple lacked the means for a full-scale reconstruction in the wake of the final fire, which occurred in 1717.
After a period of more than three centuries, the Central Golden Hall has finally reconstructed, and is now open to thegeneral public following its dedication in October of 2018.

Customised Toursh�p://nara-sightseeing.com/
The official website featuring
all you need to know about
travel in Naravisitnara.jp is the oﬃcial travel guide presented
by Nara Prefecture, providing comprehensive
informa�on on events, tourist a�rac�ons,
restaurants, shopping and accommoda�on in
the Nara region.

nara-sightseeing.com presents a wide
range of tours and authen�c culturalexperiences where you can feel, touchand taste the unique history of Nara andthe Kansai region.

Experience Programh�p://nara-experience.com/
nara-experience.com is a booking andreserva�on service for op�onal tourac�vi�es, including special visits toshrines and temples, enjoyable outdoor
ac�vi�es and inspiring local experiencesin Nara.

The NARA Visitor Center & Inn
The Nara Visitor Center & Inn is Nara’s leading tourist information and visitor center. The
comprehensive facility is equipped with information counters manned by multi-lingual staff, atraveler’s lounge with free Wi-Fi and internet, a foreign currency exchange machine and a gallery
showcasing Nara crafts and products.
With a wide array of services offered, you can book accommodations, sightseeing tours, maketransportation arrangements and get useful information throughout Nara. A selection of culturalexperience workshops, either free or for a small fee, are also offered on a regular basis.
Address:3 Ikeno-cho, Nara Phone:0742-81-7461(8:00-21:00) https://www.sarusawa.nara.jp/
English translation by Bob Heffill
Cover Photo: Hasedera Temple／Sadao Toyoda

Published by Nara Prefecture Printed February 2019