~Go through the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Kasugayama Primeval Forest”~
You can choose from three variations of the drive course at Nara Okuyama Driveway. At first, the Mt. Shin-Wakakusa course, which goes back and forth to the summit of Mt. Wakakusa overlooking the Nara Basin. Next, the Nara Okuyama Course, which traverses the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites “Historic Properties of Ancient Nara” and descends to Mt. Takamadoyama, in “Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park“. The third course is Mt. Takamadoyama course, which is mentioned in the Manyo poem and is popular among stone Buddha fans. The mountainous area that surrounds the Nara Basin has long been called Mt. Aogaki, and “Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park” was designated at the end of 1978 to protect and maintain the hills in the eastern part of the basin. ※Click here for the highlights of Historic Properties of Ancient Nara ※Click here for the highlights of Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park (Sorry, this site is only available in Japanese)
The roadside, which is rich in nature, is dotted with attractive spots. In addition to spring when the cherry blossoms bloom and autumn when the leaves are surrounded by autumn leaves, the roadside with abundant nature is studded with many attractive sightseeing spots throughout the four seasons. Parking spaces are secured at the highlights and scenic spots. Please enjoy the drive overlooking the ancient city.
Mt. Wakakusa is 342m above sea level and is also called Mt. Mikasa because it looks like three shades. The mountaintop observatory, 300 meters from the parking lot, is located on the third side of Mt. Wakakusa, with a wonderful view of Mt. Can be enjoyed.
The view from the summit of Mt. Wakakusa is not limited to daytime. The evening view over Mt. Ikoma in front is very beautiful, and the night view of the Nara Basin that spreads out below you after dark is a relaxing landscape. This night view from the summit of Mt. Wakakusa has been selected as one of the “New Three Major Night Views of Japan”.
On the summit of Mt. Wakakusa, you can often encounter a flock of deer that eat grass with all their heart. The staple food of deer is plants such as turf. Do not give human food such as snacks as it may cause gastrointestinal disorders.
A spring drive while watching the cherry blossoms blooming on both sides of the road is the best. At the same time as planting trees, we are also paying attention to the maintenance of old trees.
In the middle of the Nara Okuyama course, the wild cherry blossoms, which are said to be the largest in Kasugayama, grow strongly and bloom in the blue sky slightly peeking from the primeval forest.
On the Takamadoyama Course, there is a monument of Takashi Inukai, a scholar of Manyo, as if snuggling up to a weeping cherry tree. “Ramuka standing with a stag calling his wife to the morning mist of Takamado Akino” (Manyoshu Vol. 20 Otomo no Yamochi). Manyoshu contains a poem about the scenery of Takamadoyama. Immerse yourself in the romance of Manyo while looking out over the city of Nara, where Heijokyo was located, near the summit of Mt. Takamado.
Since hunting and logging have been prohibited for a long time as the Kamiyama of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, it was designated as a special national natural monument in 1955 because it retains abundant vegetation despite being close to the city. After that, it was registered as constituent asset of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” in 1998 from the aspect of protecting and maintaining the main of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Feeling the tide of history, the appeal of this course is that you can enjoy the luxury of being able to drive slowly through unpaved roads to protect the abundant nature.
The historical site “Kasugayama Cave Buddha” is also called a hole Buddha. It has an inscription from the end of the Heian period, and it is said to be the place where stone was cut out when the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple was built in the Nara period. Although some are missing, 18 stone Buddha statues are engraved in the cave divided into east and west. I am surprised that a long time ago, there was a person who carved a stone Buddha in this deep mountain. It is located 50 meters away from the road.
Also, the historic site “Jigokudani Cave Buddha” is also called a saint’s cave, and it is said that six bodies were carved during the Heian period. In the cave, you can still see the still colored stone Buddha statue. It is located 600 meters away from the parking lot. If you park your car here and follow the “Takizaka no Michi”, which is also a hiking course, you can meet Kubikiri Jizo, Asahi Kannon, Sunset Kannon, Sleeping Buddha and many stone Buddha statues.
Contact
- Company：Shin-Wakakusayama Driveway Co., Ltd.
- TEL：0742-26-7213
- Address：5F, Narakotsu Daini Bldg., 511-3 Sanjo-cho, Nara City
- Click here for the official site
Section
- Starting point
- Shin-wakakusayama Tollgate (212 Zoshicho, Nara City / north of Shosoin)
- End point
- Takamadoyama Tollgate (1150 Byakugoji-cho / Prefectural Route 80)
Fee
- Motorcycle (over 125cc)
- Shin-wakakusayama Course (round trip): 380 yen
- Nara-okuyama Course (one way): 780 yen
- Takamadoyama Course (round trip): 430 yen
- Light / Ordinary car
- Shin-wakakusayama Course (round trip)：Light car 530 yen ordinary car 530 yen
- Nara-okuyama Course (one way): Light car 1,350 yen ordinary car 1,860 yen
- Takamadoyama Course (round trip): Light car 640 yen ordinary car640 yen
- Minibus
- Shin-wakakusayama Course (round trip)：1,320 yen
- Nara-okuyama Course (one way): 4,000 yen
- Takamadoyama Course (round trip): 1,590 yen
- Large car
- Shin-wakakusayama Course (round trip)：2,120 yen
- Nara-okuyama Course (one way): 5,310 yen
- Takamadoyama Course (round trip): 2,540 yen
Access
| Daini Hanna Road Horai IC | 20.4km （30min） |
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| Shin-wakakusayama Tollgate | |||||
| Meihan National Route Tenri IC | 9.2km （25min） |
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| Nara-Okuyama Driveway | Nara Park | |
Recommended drive route 1
- Point1
- Shin-wakakusayama Tollgate
4.0km
（10min by car＋5min on foot）
- Point2
- Mt. Wakakusayama Mountaintop
4.3km
（5min on foot＋15min by car）
- Point3
- Buddhas Carved in Cave Wall of Mt. Kasugayama
5.3km
（15min by car）
- Point4
- Takamadoyama Tollgate