Discovering Nara Beyond Todaiji: Where Ancient Mythology Meets Scenic Hiking Trails
When travelers think of Nara tourism, images of Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine typically come to mind. However, in the western reaches of Nara Prefecture lies the Katsuragi Ancient Road, where ancient mythology and history remain deeply woven into the landscape. Along this historic path stands Kuhonji Temple, a revered sanctuary known as the “Temple of Stone Buddhas,” featuring over 1,600 stone statues. This ancient temple, tracing its origins to the Nara period, sits atop a scenic highland overlooking the Yamato Basin, welcoming visitors with seasonal flowers throughout the year.
This guide provides everything you need to experience Kuhonji Temple, the Katsuragi Ancient Road hiking trail, surrounding shrines and temples, and essential access information for exploring one of Nara’s most captivating yet lesser-known destinations.
Understanding Current Access Restrictions
Before planning your visit, travelers should be aware that access to the former spider lily field north of Kuhonji Temple has been restricted since 2023. This measure followed serious incidents of visitor misconduct, including trespassing on private property, damaging agricultural crops, and illegal parking that disrupted local residents’ daily lives. The local community made this difficult decision to protect their livelihood and preserve the area for future generations.
However, spider lilies still bloom gracefully within the temple grounds, creating beautiful scenes alongside the thousand stone Buddhas. The surrounding area near Hitokotonushi Shrine also features spider lilies blooming along rice paddy paths during autumn, maintained carefully by local residents. Visitors who respect these access guidelines and demonstrate proper etiquette can still enjoy these remarkable flowers while supporting the community’s preservation efforts.
Kuhonji Temple: A Sacred Site of Stone Buddhas Dating to the Nara Period
Historical Origins and Religious Significance
Kuhonji Temple is a Pure Land Buddhist temple located in Narahara, Gose City, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kainasan, and according to temple tradition, it was founded during the Nara period by the revered monk Gyoki following an imperial decree from Emperor Shomu.
Gyoki played a crucial role in the construction of Todaiji Temple’s Great Buddha and served the people by building irrigation systems, bridges, and other infrastructure throughout Japan. He became the first monk to be appointed to the highest Buddhist rank of Dai-Sojo. Kuhonji represents one of many temples Gyoki established, later revitalized by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) to form a major temple complex known as “Kaina Senpou.”
The temple’s name “Kuhonji” derives from Sanskrit origins. Buddhist teaching categorizes human character into three levels—high, middle, and low—each further divided into three grades, creating nine distinct levels. This philosophy inspired the temple’s name.
During medieval times, Kuhonji became the family temple of the Narahara clan, lords of Gose Castle. In 1558, the temple converted to Pure Land Buddhism under the leadership of Priest Kanyohisei. The main object of worship, a wooden seated Amida Buddha statue from the late Heian period, has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Location and Architectural Features
Kuhonji Temple occupies a highland at approximately 200 meters elevation on the eastern slopes of Mount Katsuragi. From the temple grounds, visitors enjoy panoramic views across the Yamato Basin, with clear weather revealing the three sacred mountains of Yamato: Mount Unebi, Mount Miminashi, and Mount Kaguyama. This commanding viewpoint illustrates why the ancient Katsuragi clan could effectively control the Yamato Basin from this strategic location.
Beyond the main gate, the “Juttokuen” garden extends to the left—a pond-style strolling garden designed by Mori Osamu, a pioneering researcher of ancient Japanese gardens. This garden represents a miniature panorama of the Kinki region, with stone Buddha statues positioned to correspond with the 33 temples of the Saigoku Pilgrimage. According to tradition, walking this garden circuit bestows the same spiritual merit as completing the entire Saigoku pilgrimage route.
Throughout the grounds, seasonal plantings create changing displays: cherry blossoms and weeping cherries in spring, azaleas and satsuki in early summer, spider lilies and autumn foliage in fall, and golden ginkgo leaves in late autumn. Each season offers visitors a distinctly different aesthetic experience.
Exploring Kuhonji Temple’s Remarkable Features
The Thousand Stone Buddhas: Over 1,600 Statues in Sacred Formation
The most impressive feature of Kuhonji Temple is the “Thousand Stone Buddhas” arrayed on the hillside behind the main hall. Numbering between 1,600 and 1,800 statues, these stone figures line stone steps and mountain paths in orderly rows, creating an overwhelming visual impact.
These stone Buddhas originated during the Northern and Southern Courts period when the Narahara clan, allied with the Southern Court, dedicated them to their family temple as spiritual protectors. Supporting Kusunoki Masashige’s forces, the Narahara clan offered these statues before battle, hoping for their safe return or spiritual representation if they fell in combat.
The statues vary in age from ancient to relatively recent, with some weathered beyond recognition. They range in posture—standing, seated, large Jizo figures—each displaying unique expressions and characteristics. Many wear red bibs, demonstrating the deep devotion of local believers who continue caring for them.
A narrow path beside the main hall ascends the hillside, where stone Buddhas line both sides in impressive formations. Exploring just the temple grounds takes approximately 30 minutes, but thoroughly viewing the stone Buddhas while climbing the hillside requires 45 minutes to an hour. Continuing upward, the path reaches a clearing offering views of the main hall’s roof tiles from above—their beautiful symmetry complementing the Yamato Basin vista beyond, creating one of the Katsuragi Ancient Road’s most memorable scenic viewpoints.
The Juttokuen garden near the entrance also features stone statues representing the principal deities of the 33 Saigoku pilgrimage temples. Visiting these statues is believed to confer the same spiritual benefits as completing the entire pilgrimage circuit.
National Important Cultural Property: Wooden Seated Amida Buddha Statue
Kuhonji Temple’s principal image is a wooden seated Amida Buddha statue created during the late Heian period, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. This graceful sculpture exemplifies the refined artistic style of the Fujiwara period, displaying the highest level of spiritual enlightenment in Pure Land Buddhism.
While normally enshrined within the main hall away from public view, special viewings occur during occasions like the spring and autumn equinoxes. Visitors fortunate enough to encounter these special openings should take the opportunity to appreciate this elegant masterpiece.
Temple visitors may receive a goshuin stamp at the main hall. The temple does not sell original goshuin books, but visitors can obtain stamps at other nearby sites including Hitokotonushi Shrine, Takamahiko Shrine, and Takakamo Shrine.
Juttokuen Garden: A Circular Strolling Garden Representing the Saigoku Pilgrimage
The Juttokuen garden beside the entrance gate centers around a pond in the circular strolling garden style. Designed by Dr. Mori Osamu, an authority on ancient garden research, this garden recreates the Kinki region’s topography in miniature panoramic form.
Seasonal plantings throughout the garden include cherry trees, azaleas, maples, and camellias, ensuring beautiful scenery year-round. Spring azaleas and autumn maple foliage prove particularly spectacular, inviting peaceful contemplation while strolling the garden paths.
Kannon statues positioned throughout the garden correspond to the 33 Saigoku pilgrimage temple locations, allowing visitors to complete a “mini-pilgrimage” within this compact space. This feature makes the garden popular with local residents seeking accessible spiritual merit.
Seasonal Flower Displays: Spider Lilies and Cherry Blossoms
Kuhonji Temple once gained fame for spider lily colonies blooming in vacant land north of the temple grounds. From mid to late September, these flowers created striking crimson carpets that became social media sensations, attracting numerous photographers and tourists. The area became known as “Nara’s premier spider lily location.”
However, visitor misconduct—including trespassing on private property, trampling crops, and illegal parking—along with conflicts with nearby residents, led to access restrictions beginning in 2023. This difficult decision aimed to protect the community while preserving the area’s future viability. Visitors must understand and respect these circumstances and current access rules.
Despite these restrictions, spider lilies continue blooming gracefully within Kuhonji Temple’s grounds, creating atmospheric scenes alongside the thousand stone Buddhas. Additionally, the rural areas surrounding Hitokotonushi Shrine feature spider lilies blooming along rice paddy paths and embankments under local residents’ careful management. Peak blooming typically occurs from mid to late September, though timing varies with annual weather patterns. Since the flowering period lasts only about one week, prospective visitors should verify current bloom status before planning their trip.
Spring brings magnificent cherry and weeping cherry blossoms throughout the temple grounds. Late autumn features large ginkgo trees glowing golden yellow, establishing Kuhonji as a renowned autumn foliage destination. The temple’s seasonal transformations make it appealing throughout the year.
Bansui Water Clock: Historical Agricultural Water Management System
A fascinating feature called the “Bansui Water Clock” stands before Kuhonji Temple. This device managed equitable water distribution from Mount Katsuragi to individual rice paddies, representing precious agricultural cultural heritage.
The steep terraced paddies on Mount Katsuragi’s slopes faced chronic water shortages during dry weather. This clock regulated water allocation timing for each paddy, ensuring fair distribution through a systematic rotation. During spring and early summer rice planting seasons, this clock continues serving its vital function today.
Katsuragi Ancient Road: A 13-Kilometer Path Through Mythological Landscapes
Historical Background and Distinctive Characteristics
The Katsuragi Ancient Road runs approximately 13 kilometers north to south along the eastern foothills of Mount Kongo and Mount Katsuragi. Also called “Katsuragi-no-Michi,” this route represents the “Western Yamanobenomichi,” paralleling the famous “Yamanobenomichi” trail along the Yamato Basin’s eastern edge.
This region served as the power base for the ancient Katsuragi and Kamo clans, who flourished before the Yamato court’s establishment. These mythological landscapes appear in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles, with ancient shrines and temples associated with these clans dotting the trail. Pastoral countryside scenery dominates the area, believed to be where rice cultivation originated in Japan, preserving agricultural traditions spanning millennia.
The Katsuragi Ancient Road also holds significance as a mountain worship sanctuary where En-no-Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo mountain asceticism, conducted training. This region connecting Mount Kongo and Mount Katsuragi attracted numerous ascetic practitioners as a sacred pilgrimage site since ancient times.
Recent years have seen the trail developed as a hiking course with installed trail markers. While elevation changes require proper footwear, the route offers popular opportunities to experience ancient romance while walking.
Model Hiking Course
The standard Katsuragi Ancient Road hiking route follows this sequence:
Starting Point: Kintetsu Gose Station / JR Gose Station
↓ Approximately 40 minutes walking (or 30 minutes via bus plus walking)
Sarumebashi Bus Stop / Six Jizo Stone Buddhas
↓ Approximately 20 minutes walking
Kuhonji Temple
↓ Approximately 15 minutes walking
Hitokotonushi Shrine
↓ Approximately 15 minutes walking
Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe (rest stop)
↓ Approximately 40 minutes walking
Gokuraku-ji Temple
↓ Approximately 15 minutes walking
Takatenji Hashimoto-in
↓ Approximately 15 minutes walking
Takamahiko Shrine
↓ Approximately 20 minutes walking
Takakamo Shrine
↓ Approximately 15 minutes walking
Endpoint: Kazenomori Bus Stop
The complete journey requires approximately 5-6 hours including rest periods. Depending on physical fitness and interests, hikers can utilize public transportation from intermediate bus stops. Electric bicycle rental services operate near Kintetsu Gose Station, offering efficient trail exploration options.
Important Hiking Considerations
When walking the Katsuragi Ancient Road, observe these guidelines:
Clothing and Equipment: Elevation changes require proper footwear—hiking shoes or sneakers. Summer necessitates hats, sunscreen, and drinking water. Autumn through winter requires cold weather protection.
Time Requirements: The complete route takes approximately 5-6 hours including breaks. Hikers can use intermediate bus stops depending on fitness levels and interests. Electric bicycle rentals near Kintetsu Gose Station enable efficient touring.
Restrooms and Rest Areas: Major temples and shrines provide visitor restrooms, but facilities remain limited along the trail. Advance preparation is recommended.
Food and Drink: Vending machines and convenience stores appear infrequently. Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe serves lunches featuring local ingredients, but operating hours (Thursday-Monday, 11:00-16:00) should be confirmed beforehand. Hikers should carry lunches and drinking water. Dining options exist around Kintetsu Gose and JR Gose Stations.
Accessibility: Kuhonji Temple’s grounds feature stone steps and slopes unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The Katsuragi Ancient Road’s elevation changes make walking necessary. Visitors with mobility concerns should consider driving to individual sites.
Pet Policies: Kuhonji Temple’s grounds permit leashed pets. However, owners must show consideration for other visitors and properly dispose of waste. Shrine grounds also allow pets, though entering main halls should be avoided.
Etiquette: Never trespass on private property or farmland. During spider lily season, avoid entering rice paddy paths. When photographing, ensure no interference with agricultural work.
Parking: Limited parking exists at temples and shrines. Public transportation use is recommended whenever possible. Spider lily and autumn foliage seasons bring increased congestion.
Attractions Surrounding the Katsuragi Ancient Road
Hitokotonushi Shrine: Where Single-Word Prayers Are Answered
Located approximately 15 minutes south of Kuhonji Temple, Hitokotonushi Shrine serves as the head shrine for all Hitokotonushi shrines nationwide. Locals affectionately call it “Ichigon-san.”
According to the Nihon Shoki, Emperor Yuryaku encountered Hitokotonushi-no-Okami while hunting on Mount Katsuragi. The deity proclaimed: “I am the god who speaks both evil and good with a single word—Hitokotonushi-no-Okami of Katsuragi.” This legend established the belief that the deity grants any wish expressed in a single phrase, attracting many worshippers.
The shrine grounds feature a massive ginkgo tree estimated at 1,200 years old, venerated as “Chi-Icho” (Milk Ginkgo). According to tradition, praying here ensures fertility and abundant breast milk, making it popular among those seeking conception and safe childbirth. The golden autumn ginkgo display proves magnificent.
During the limited period from winter solstice through Setsubun, the shrine offers special “Ichiyo-Raifuku” amulets, extremely popular charms believed to bring good fortune after hardship.
Rice paddies surrounding Hitokotonushi Shrine feature spider lilies blooming along paths and embankments during autumn. This area rivals Kuhonji as a spider lily destination, though visitors must maintain proper etiquette to avoid disrupting agricultural activities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Hitokotonushi Shrine |
| Address | 432 Moriwaki, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-66-0178 |
| Visiting Hours | Grounds open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Available (free) |
Takamahiko Shrine: Legendary Takamagahara Sacred Site
Heading north from Hitokotonushi Shrine through Nagara village and climbing mountain paths leads to Takamahiko Shrine. This ancient shrine sits at approximately 450 meters elevation on a plateau beneath Mount Hakuun, at the base of Mount Kongo.
This area represents the legendary location of “Takamagahara” appearing in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki—the heavenly realm where Amaterasu Omikami ruled—making it especially significant for mythology enthusiasts.
The enshrined deity is Takamimusubi-no-Kami, one of the three creator deities appearing in the Tenson-Korin mythology. The shrine also venerates Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto and Sugawara-no-Michizane.
Giant cedar trees line both sides of the approach, creating mystical atmospheres. The shrine grounds include “Sanjuhassho,” believed to be the graves of successive Katsuragi clan chiefs who established the Katsuragi dynasty. Other subsidiary shrines include Kasuga Shrine and Hachiman Shrine.
Historical sites related to Emperor Jimmu’s eastern expedition remain preserved here, particularly appealing to ancient history enthusiasts.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Takamahiko Shrine |
| Address | Takama, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-66-0609 |
| Visiting Hours | Grounds open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Available (free) |
Takakamo Shrine: Head Shrine of All Kamo Shrines Nationwide
Located near the Katsuragi Ancient Road’s terminus, Takakamo Shrine serves as the head shrine for Kamo shrines throughout Japan, including Kyoto’s Kamigamo and Shimogamo Shrines. Recognized as one of Japan’s oldest shrines, it enshrines the ancestral deity of the ancient Kamo clan.
The current main hall, reconstructed in 1543, has been designated a National Important Cultural Property. This architectural masterpiece represents Momoyama period three-bay nagare-zukuri style, earning high praise.
The Kamo clan served as ritual specialists possessing spiritual abilities. Consequently, Takakamo Shrine has been venerated since ancient times as a deity of revival and resurrection. During Heian period epidemics, the imperial court ordered prayers here. Today it remains popular as a power spot for healing illnesses.
The shrine is also renowned for purification blessings, attracting many worshippers seeking mental and physical cleansing. Quiet, mystical atmospheres pervade this Katsuragi Ancient Road highlight.
Spring brings beautiful primrose displays, with approximately 2,300 potted primroses adorning the grounds from late April through early May. Autumn foliage proves equally spectacular, offering seasonal beauty throughout the year.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Takakamo Shrine |
| Address | 1110 Kamogami, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-66-0609 |
| Visiting Hours | Grounds open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Available (free) |
Senshuji Temple: Azalea Sanctuary Known as a Flower Temple
Senshuji Temple, a Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple, was reportedly founded by Gyoki. Its mountain name is Iouzan, and it enshrines Yakushi Nyorai as its principal image.
Designated one of the “25 Flower Temples of Kansai,” Senshuji is particularly famous for azaleas. The temple grounds feature 1,000 azalea plants blooming spectacularly from late April through early May. Kirishima azaleas, Hirado azaleas, and satsuki create vibrant color displays, attracting numerous photographers to this renowned photography location.
Beyond azaleas, hydrangeas and rhododendrons bloom from spring through autumn. The annual “Flower Festival” in late April features special viewings of the principal Yakushi Nyorai statue, along with ceremonial fire rituals.
The temple’s strolling garden incorporates the rear mountain as borrowed scenery, creating beautiful vistas. This garden style proves unusual in Nara’s Yamato region, deserving special attention. Views of Mount Katsuragi and Mount Kongo from before the main hall offer spectacular panoramas.
The 2025 Flower Festival moved from its traditional May 3rd date to the fourth Saturday of April (April 26) due to earlier blooming from climate change. Prospective visitors should verify current bloom status before planning their trips.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Senshuji Temple |
| Address | 484 Ioke, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-66-0036 |
| Visiting Hours | 9:00-17:00 (mid-April through early May azalea season) |
| Admission | Adults: 300 yen, Junior high students and younger: Free<br>*Outside azalea season requires advance contact |
| Parking | Available (free) |
Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe: Renovated Century-Old Post Office
Entering Nagara village from Hitokotonushi Shrine reveals Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe. This facility combines a cafe and archive within a renovated former Nagara Post Office building constructed in 1913.
The single-story wooden hipped-roof structure maintains its original pink exterior from construction. A red round postbox stands before the building, evoking Taisho-era romance. After the post office relocated to new facilities in 1975, the building remained vacant for approximately 40 years until community members’ determination to preserve it sparked a revival project, reopening as Yubin-Nagara-kan in 2015.
The cafe’s monthly changing lunch menu (Tegami Lunch) featuring local vegetables and Handa rice proves popular. Eight to nine dishes showcase preparations maximizing vegetable flavors. Original blend “Tegami Coffee” using house-roasted beans comes with original stamps depicting Yubin-Nagara-kan.
Seasonal fruit cakes and cheesecake soufflé made with local sake lees enjoy popularity. The facility also serves “Angel’s Parfait,” developed during filming for the movie “The Library of Angels,” shot on location here.
The postal archive displays vintage postcards, artifacts, and jinrikisha (human-powered vehicles that transported mail) and wooden postboxes remaining from the former post office, tracing postal history. Taisho-era posters and period stamps attract stamp collectors. The “Postal Garden” exhibits Showa-era stamps.
The shop sells original stamp sheets and postcards. Visitors can write letters on-site for mailing in the round postbox outside. This location serves as an ideal Katsuragi Ancient Road hiking rest stop.
Operation by the Handa-go Community Network general incorporated association emphasizes community connection. Activities include soy sauce making, natural wood seasonal decoration workshops, kamishibai (paper theater), and flower planting events. Proceeds partially fund regional revitalization activities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe |
| Address | 365 Nagara, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-60-2525 |
| Operating Hours | Thursday-Monday: 11:00-16:00 (Last order 15:30) |
| Closed | Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Website | Yubin-Nagara-kan |
Access Information to Kuhonji Temple
Public Transportation Access
Nearest Stations:
- Kintetsu Gose Line: Kintetsu Gose Station
- JR Wakayama Line: Gose Station
From Kintetsu Nara Station requires approximately 1 hour (with transfers).
Bus: From Kintetsu Gose Station / JR Gose Station, board Nara Kotsu Bus bound for “Katsuragi Ropeway Mae,” alighting at “Kujiraguchi” bus stop. Walking time: approximately 25 minutes. Bus travel time: 9-13 minutes.
Walking: Approximately 40 minutes from Kintetsu Gose Station / JR Gose Station. Following the route via Six Jizo Stone Buddhas as the Katsuragi Ancient Road starting point is recommended.
Taxi: Approximately 15 minutes from Kintetsu Gose Station / JR Gose Station.
Community Bus: Gose City’s community bus “Himawari-go” operates service. Alight at “Narahara” bus stop, approximately 3 minutes walking. Operating schedules are limited, requiring advance confirmation.
Vehicle Access
Highway: Approximately 15 minutes from Keihanna Expressway “Gose IC.”
Parking: Kuhonji Temple provides free visitor parking with limited spaces. Spider lily and autumn foliage seasons bring expected congestion. Public transportation use is recommended whenever possible.
Roads approaching Kuhonji include narrow sections requiring attention to oncoming vehicles. GPS navigation accepts “Kuhonji, Gose City, Nara Prefecture” or phone number “0745-62-3001.”
Important Notice: Roads to Kuhonji remain narrow, serving as local residential access routes. Roadside parking is strictly prohibited. Spider lily season may bring traffic congestion. Plan sufficient time or consider public transportation alternatives.
Bicycle Rental
Electric bicycle rental services operate near Kintetsu Gose Station, enabling efficient Katsuragi Ancient Road touring. Electric assist proves especially helpful given numerous slopes.
Gose Town Tourism Information Center:
- Operating Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Rates: Electric assist bicycles: 500 yen/4 hours, 800 yen/full day
- Limited availability requires advance inquiry
Basic Information for Kuhonji Temple
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Kuhonji Temple |
| Religious Sect | Pure Land Buddhism |
| Mountain Name | Kainasan |
| Principal Image | Wooden Seated Amida Buddha Statue (National Important Cultural Property) |
| Address | 1188 Narahara, Gose City, Nara Prefecture |
| Phone | 0745-62-3001 |
| Visiting Hours | Grounds open freely |
| Admission | Free |
| Closed Days | None (main hall interior normally closed) |
| Parking | Available (free, limited capacity) |
| Official Website | None |
*The principal Amida Buddha statue remains normally closed to public viewing, with special openings during occasions like spring and autumn equinoxes.
Best Seasons for Visiting Kuhonji Temple and Katsuragi Ancient Road
Kuhonji Temple and the Katsuragi Ancient Road offer seasonal beauty throughout the year.
Spring (March-May)
- Cherry Blossoms (late March – early April): Kuhonji Temple’s grounds feature beautiful cherry and weeping cherry displays
- Azaleas (late April – early May): 1,000 azalea plants reach peak bloom at Senshuji Temple
- Primroses (late April – early May): Approximately 2,300 potted primroses bloom magnificently at Takakamo Shrine
Spring’s fresh greenery makes it ideal for Katsuragi Ancient Road hiking. Senshuji Temple’s “Flower Festival” (late April) attracts numerous worshippers.
Early Summer (June-August)
- Hydrangeas (June): Hydrangeas bloom at locations including Senshuji Temple
- Rural Landscapes (May-July): Beautiful scenes from rice planting through crop growth evoke ancient pastoral settings
The rainy season requires rain gear but offers tranquil atmospheric experiences. Summer’s strong sunshine favors early morning or evening hiking.
Autumn (September-November)
- Spider Lilies (mid-late September): Spider lilies bloom within Kuhonji Temple grounds and rural areas around Hitokotonushi Shrine
- Autumn Foliage (mid-late November): Kuhonji Temple’s ginkgo trees and Juttokuen garden maples, along with Takakamo Shrine foliage, display brilliant colors
- Cosmos (September-October): Cosmos occasionally bloom in rural areas
Autumn represents the Katsuragi Ancient Road’s peak season. Spider lily season (around September 20) and autumn foliage period (mid-late November) attract numerous tourists.
Winter (December-February)
- Ichiyo-Raifuku Amulets (Winter Solstice – Setsubun): Hitokotonushi Shrine issues limited-period amulets
- Snow Scenes (January-February): Snowfall transforms the Katsuragi Ancient Road and Mount Kongo into fantastical winter landscapes
Winter brings fewer visitors, enabling quiet worship. Proper cold weather protection is essential.
Visitor Etiquette and Important Guidelines for Kuhonji Temple
When visiting Kuhonji Temple and the Katsuragi Ancient Road, please observe these etiquette guidelines.
Private Property Access
The vacant land north of Kuhonji Temple (former spider lily colony) remains private property. Since 2023, visitor misconduct—including trespassing, crop damage, and illegal parking—seriously impacted local residents, necessitating access restrictions.
Local residents carefully maintained this area for many years, but rapidly increasing visitor numbers disrupted community life, requiring protective measures. Understanding these circumstances, visitors must not enter restricted areas.
Spider lilies blooming within temple grounds and rural areas around Hitokotonushi Shrine remain viewable with proper etiquette maintained.
Agricultural Land Consideration
Active rice paddies and fields line the Katsuragi Ancient Road. When photographing, observe these guidelines:
- Never enter rice paddy paths or farmland
- Do not touch or trample crops
- Avoid interfering with agricultural work
- Never park vehicles on farm roads
During spider lily season particularly, resist temptation to enter paddy paths where flowers bloom. Observe agricultural activity respectfully.
Parking and Waste Management
- Never park on roads (causing resident inconvenience)
- Use facility parking lots (limited capacity favors public transportation)
- Always carry out all waste
- Maintain quiet environments (avoid loud conversations and noise)
Temple and Shrine Worship Etiquette
- Avoid unauthorized entry into main halls and worship halls
- Handle stone Buddhas carefully when touching them
- Receive goshuin stamps after worship
- Respect photography restrictions in designated areas
Community members’ goodwill and efforts preserve beautiful scenery here. Maintaining proper etiquette ensures preservation for future generations.
Enhancing Your Nara Journey with Professional Support
Exploring Kuhonji Temple and the Katsuragi Ancient Road reveals layers of ancient mythology, historical significance, and natural beauty that casual visits might overlook. While this guide provides comprehensive information, navigating Japan’s rural transportation systems, understanding historical contexts, and managing complex itineraries can present challenges—especially for international travelers unfamiliar with Japanese language and customs.
For travelers seeking deeper cultural immersion and seamless logistics, professional tour coordination services transform standard sightseeing into extraordinary experiences. A dedicated tour conductor handles all travel arrangements, provides cultural and historical insights, manages transportation connections, and adapts schedules to your interests and pace. This support proves particularly valuable when exploring lesser-known destinations like the Katsuragi Ancient Road, where English signage and tourist infrastructure remain limited.
Whether you’re planning an extended Nara itinerary or incorporating this region into a broader Kansai journey, having experienced guidance ensures you maximize your time while gaining authentic understanding of the sites you visit. To learn more about personalized tour conductor services that can enhance your Japanese travel experience, visit our dedicated tour conductor service page.
Conclusion: Ancient Romance and Tranquil Beauty Along the Katsuragi Ancient Road
Kuhonji Temple, featuring over 1,600 stone Buddhas, stands as an ancient temple founded during the Nara period. Positioned at 200 meters elevation on Mount Katsuragi’s eastern slopes, its commanding Yamato Basin views prove equally compelling. Seasonal flowers—spring cherry blossoms, early summer azaleas, autumn spider lilies and foliage, late autumn ginkgo—create distinctly different seasonal expressions.
While the formerly famous spider lily colony faced access restrictions from 2023 due to visitor misconduct, spider lilies continue blooming within temple grounds and around Hitokotonushi Shrine. Understanding these circumstances and respecting local residents’ concerns while enjoying tourism remains essential.
The 13-kilometer Katsuragi Ancient Road hiking course features numerous temples and shrines preserving ancient mythology and history, including Hitokotonushi Shrine, Takamahiko Shrine, and Takakamo Shrine. Walking this path where Kojiki and Nihon Shoki mythological narratives unfolded enables contemplation of the ancient Katsuragi and Kamo clans’ prosperity.
Pastoral countryside scenery combined with mountain worship sanctuary status gives the Katsuragi Ancient Road dual character. Growing in popularity as the “Western Yamanobenomichi” counterpart to Nara’s eastern “Yamanobenomichi” trail, elevation changes necessitate proper footwear and time allowances when visiting.
Along the route, Yubin-Nagara-kan Tegami Cafe—housed in a century-old renovated post office—offers lunches featuring local ingredients and house-roasted coffee for rest breaks. This location provides Taisho-era atmosphere appreciation alongside hiking convenience.
Kuhonji Temple and the Katsuragi Ancient Road lack the prominence of Todaiji Temple or Kasuga Taisha Shrine, yet offer tranquility and ancient romance as hidden Nara treasures. Community members’ goodwill preserves these beautiful landscapes. Individual visitors bear responsibility for maintaining proper etiquette to ensure preservation for future generations.
When visiting Nara, extend your journey slightly to experience Kuhonji Temple and the Katsuragi Ancient Road. Unforgettable experiences await where ancient mythology, history, and natural beauty interweave harmoniously.