Spiritual experience in the countryside of Nara

Itinerary - 4 Days

1. Day 1

   Location

   Kyoto or Osaka > Nara

   Self-guided day
   Travel to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka by train.
   Train fare info. 710 jpy between Kyoto Station and Nara Station (JR / 70 min.) // 800 jpy between Osaka Station and Nara Station (JR / 60 min.)
   
   Explore the city center of Nara
   Recommendable places to visit: Todaiji Temple (known for Grand Buddha), Kasuga Taisha (Shinto Shrine) and Kofukuji Temple listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the historical monuments of ancient Nara.
   A stroll in Naramachi, the old quarter of Nara.

   

2. Day 2

   Location

   Nara > Asuka village

   Meal

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

   Partially guided day
   Breakfast at the hotel
   
   09:00 Travel to Asuka village from Kintetsu Nara train station (Kintetsu line) on your own
   Train fare info 490 jpy between Kintetsu Nara station and Kashiharajingu-mae station with one change (Kintetsu line / 40 min.)
   
   10:00 Meet an English-speaking local guide at Kashiharajingu-mae and transfer to the Minshuku by a private car (approx. 15 min. / 1 luggage per person)
   Tour of Asuka village by electric bike with the English-speaking local guide.
   Experience the peaceful landscape of the Japanese countryside by cycling!
   Recommended places to Visit: Asuka temple, Okadera temple, Tachibana temple, Inabuchi ‘TANADA (shelf rice
   paddies)’, several ‘KOFUNs (tumuli)’ such as Ishibutai Kofun and Kitora Kofun etc.
   * The tour will be organized by your guide according to your preference on places to visit (required to pay admission on the spot where applicable)
   *Japanese Lunch at the Café Kotodama (very charming traditional country house style cafe) is included.
   
   17:15 end of tour at the Minshuku
   
   If you wish, you can continue your bike ride on your own until dinner time.
   Dinner at the Minshuku

   

3. Day 3

   Location

   Asuka village > Mt. Shigi

   Meal

   Breakfast and Dinner

   Partially guided day
   Japanese breakfast at the Minshuku
   
   Luggage transfer service from the Minshuku to your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka for the 4th night (1 luggage per person) will be arranged.
   After check-out the Minshuku, a transfer service to Kashiharajingu-mae station will be provided
   
   10:00 Meet an English-speaking local guide at the station and explore the region of Kashihara by bike
   To visit: Shrine Kashihara Jingu (the first sanctuary built by the State to honor Emperor Jimmu) and stroll to Imai-cho (preserved area with traditional buildings of the Edo period)
   Option: Visit of a Sake brewery (admission 500 jpy per person)
   
   13:00 end of the bike tour with a guide
   
   13:00-14:00 have a lunch on your own around the Kashiharajingu-mae station
   
   14:00 Transfer to Mt Shigi by train and bus on your own
   Train fare info 350 yen between Kashiharajingu-mae station and Shin-Oji station with one change (Kintetsu line / 40 min.)
   e.g. 14:09 Kashiharajingu-mae > 14:21 Tawaramoto by train(Kintetsu Kashihara Line)
   4 min. walk to Nishi-tawaramoto station
   
   14:27 Nishi-tawaramoto > 14:49 Shin-Oji by train (Kintetsu Tawaramoto Line)
   
   15:18 / 16:20 Departure by bus No 32/42 or 43 from the north exit of JR Oji station (5 min. walk from Shin-Oji station) to Shigi Ohashi stop (approx. 20 min. / 360 yen)
   *As the number of buses is limited, please check the timetable in advance. Tourist Information is located a 3 min. walk from Kashiharajingu-mae station (East exit).
   Approx. 10 min. walk by passing the Torii (gate) from the Shigi Ohashi bus stop to Gyokuzoin temple
   Explore of Mt. Shigi until dinner
   
   18:30 Dinner (Shojin ryori)
   
   After dinner, you can enjoy a night stroll within the temple.

   

4. Day 4

   Location

   Mt. Shigi > Kyoto or Nara

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Self-guided day
   
   05:00-5:45 Fire ceremony (Goma) at the Gyokuzoin (check the schedule on site)
   Morning stroll to breakfast (for example, stroll to the Kuhatsugohou-do on the hill)
   Option: Tantric Buddhism ceremony (Daohannya prayer) in the main hall of Mt. Shigi (advance reservation and extra charge is required)
   
   07:30 Breakfast (Shojin Ryori)
   
   10:00 Check-out and make your own way to your next destination

   

5. Day 5

   Location

   Himeji

   Meal

   Petit déjeuner

   Journée de visite libre
   8h Petit déjeuner à l'hôtel
   Train direct jusqu'au à la gare de Himeji (environ 15mn en shinkansen 3430 yens inclus dans le JRPASS, ou 45mn sur la Tokaido-Sanyo line, 970 yens)
   Visites conseillées : Château d'Himeji, déjeuner aux magnifiques jardins de Koko-en, balade nature au Mt Shoshazan et temple Engyoji
   Vous pourrez ensuite continuer votre voyage vers Kyoto, Osaka ou encore partir explorer Hiroshima et Miyajima à l'ouest, ou pour ceux désireux de découvrir un Japon hors des sentiers battus les préfectures de Shimane et Tottori