More than ten centuries ago, a capital of Japan existed here.
Several generations of kings of the “Yamato Dynasty” ruled here and expanded their influence outward.
Eventually, Yamato became a word meaning "the whole of Japan".
The foundation of Japan was built here.
This ancient capital - older than Kyoto or Nara - did not develop as other ancient capitals did,
and thus was left largely untouched.
Feel the unknown mystery of the history of Japan in this quiet, untraveled location.
In this section we will introduce noteworthy sites in Yamato.
The Yamato region is home to numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
These sites are relatively unknown among visitors from overseas even though they contain a wealth of history.
The scenery in Yamato is a product of its natural surroundings and its long history.
In this section we will introduce beautiful photography and videos of the scenery as it changes with the seasons.
In this section we will introduce recommended routes for touring Yamato.
We hope these will be a useful reference when planning your personal itinerary.
Yamato is home to numerous unique festivals with histories going back to ancient times.
Try to incorporate them into your itinerary if the timing works out.
In this section we will introduce uniquely Yamato-styled restaurant options,
such as restaurants made from converted older Japanese-style homes.
Cuisine recommendations include the renowned local somen as well as soba,
Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, and more.
Why not pick something unique to Yamato as a souvenir?
Check out the somen that the Yamato region is known for,
the sake that was invented here,
or even the varieties of traditional candies that are only available in Yamato.
From religious ceremonies to traditional cooking classes and trekking through the countryside,
Yamato offers many options for visitors to experience Japan’s heart and soul.
In this section we will introduce Yamato’s wealth of options for lodgings, ranging from hotels to guest houses, traditional ryokan inns, converted older Japanese-style homes, and campgrounds. It’s always best to reserve lodgings in advance.
For when you feel you’re finally ready to visit Yamato.
In this section we will introduce information on transportation to Yamato.
Useful information for those traveling to Yamato.
This section is helpful to read before arriving, or as an aid when you find yourself in trouble during a visit.