Famous for the world's largest statue of Buddha
"Daibutsuden", the world's largest wooden architecture houses the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha "Nara no Daibutsu". Todaiji Temple was founded in 743 by order of Emperor Shomu in order to enshrine Rushanabutsu (the great image of Buddha).

●Open/ 7:30-17:30 (vary according to the season)
●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥500　●Tel/ 0742-22-5511

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae bus stop by City circulation bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara Stn.

Splendid vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilions
The vermilion-lacquered Shaden (main building) is fascinatingly beautiful and the shrine has been famous for its beautiful wisteria for many years. Homotsuden (treasure house) in the precinct stores 3,000 items including 520 national treasures or important cultural properties. Protected against logging as a sacred mountain for over 1,000 years, Mt. Kasuga is a primeval forest of ever-green broad leaf trees such as oak and Japanese chinquapin.

［Kasuga Taisha Shrine］　●Open/ 6:30-17:30 (vary according to the season)
●Fare/ Free (with the exception of Homotsuden which is ￥420.)　●Tel/ 0742-22-7788

◆Access/ A short walk from Kasuga Taisha Honden-mae bus stop by Nara Kotsu Bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara Stn. or a 10 min. walk from Kasuga Taisha Omotesando bus stop by City circulation bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara Stn.

The greatest treasure house of Buddhist culture
Founded by Shotoku Taishi, Horyuji Temple is the oldest wooden construction in the world. In the spacious precinct, there are a lot of buildings using the most skilled techniques from each era since the Asuka Period. Nearby is Hokiji Temple, which is also a world heritage.
(Photograph: Taikichi Irie)

●Open/ 8:00-17:00 (8:00-16:30 in winter)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Adults ￥1,000 (Saiin Garan, Daihozoin and Toin Garan are available)　●Tel/ 0745-75-2555

◆Access/ A short walk from Horyujimon-mae bus stop by Nara Kotsu Bus from JR Horyuji Stn.

An ancient tomb built of megaliths
Built in the 6th century, the burial mound with stone chamber was made up from about 30 giant stones. Its side-open stone chamber is the biggest of its kind in Japan. The mound is a square shape with 50 m length each side. It is called Ishibutai, because the top of the ceiling stone, which has appeared by losing soil covering it, is flat. Nearby is Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound, famous for its brilliant murals.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥250
●Tel/ 0744-54-4577 (Asuka Village Tourist Development Corp.)

◆Access/ A 3 min. walk from Ishibutai bus stop by Asuka Shuyu Bus from Kintetsu Kashihara Jingu-mae Stn.

Japan's top cherry blossom-viewing spot
Mt. Yoshino is famous as the best place to appreciate cherry blossoms. This is the north starting point of Omineokugake-michi (pilgrimage route), and it was registered as World Heritage in 2004 along with other cultural assets such as Zaodo in Kinpusenji temple and Yoshimizu Shrine.

●Tel/ 0746-32-3081 (Yoshino Town Planning and Tourism Divn.)

◆Access/ A short walk from Ropeway Yoshinoyama Stn. from Kintetsu Yoshino Stn.