Hasedera Temple - Morning Routine

長谷寺 朝の勤行

A memorial service that has continued for more than 1000 years. It is conducted every morning at the main hall. The chanting of the sutras rings out in the early morning against the clear sky, a sacred experience for all who are there. Visiting travelers routinely praise the experience as wonderful. The service is worth experiencing when visiting Hasedera Temple. It’s held quite early in the morning, so it’s probably best to pick accommodations somewhere near the temple. As this is a holy Buddhist sermon, please take care in the clothing you wear. Wearing short skirts or trousers, flashy clothing, and the like is frowned upon.

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Information

Duration:

40 min.

Fee:

¥500

Reservation:

Reserve at the main hall’s reception 30 minutes before the service.
The temple gate will be open, so go around the fence and up the stairs to the main hall.

Adress:

731-1 Hase, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture
奈良県桜井市初瀬731-1

Tel:

0744-47-7001

Hours:

Apr. 1 to Sep. 30, 6:30 start, Oct. 1 to Mar. 31, 7:00 start

Closed:

Jan. 1

Credit Card:

No

Walking the Yamanobe Road

山の辺の道 ウォーキング

As it is the oldest road mentioned in the primary historical resources of Japan, the Yamanobe Road is called the oldest road in all of Japan. Stretching about 10 km in total between Omiwa Jinja Shrine in Sakurai City and Isonomaki Jingu Shrine in Tenri City, the road is famed as a particularly beautiful trail for hiking.
In one glance you’ll be able to take in the gently-rising mountains to the east and the Nara Basin to the west Walking the tranquil road past expanses of fields and orchards, you’ll come across shrines and burial mounds time and time again. The roadside scenery has been described in many waka poems, and the gorgeous sights that moved those poets of yore to put brush to paper remains here even now.

Advice for the Trail

Almost all of the road is for pedestrians only, so you won’t be able to drive along it. There are hardly any steep slopes, so you don’t need extensive preparations to walk it. There are also drink vending machines along the route. Though the road isn’t completely lacking in restaurants, there are relatively few, so it’s best to bring along something to eat to snack on at some particularly scenic spot. The Yamanobe Road has a total length of 16 km, so one day isn’t enough time if you want to see the whole of it. The best route is to catch the train from JR Sakurai Station to Yanagimoto Station, walk the road, then return to Miwa Station. For details, please check our recommended courses.

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Imanishi Brewery - Sake-tasting

利き酒体験 今西酒造

This sake-tasting is hosted at a brewery with more than 120 years of history. After hearing about the details of, and the care taken during the sake brewing process, you’ll be able to enjoy a selection of different taster sake in the tasting corner.

Information

Duration:

30 to 60 min.

Fee:

¥500 (tax incl.)

# of Participants:

2 to 50

Adress:

510 Miwa, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture
奈良県桜井市三輪510

Tel:

0744-42-6022

Hours:

10:00 to 17:00 (Nov. to Mar. is the brewing period, so hours are from 13:00 to 17:00 and brewery tours aren’t held. Only sake-tasting is available.)

Closed:

Irregularly

Credit Card:

No

Otowasan Kannon Hiking

音羽山観音トレッキング

This is a trip to visit Otowasan Kannonji Temple, located deep in the mountains. It’s about an hour walk one-way along a mountain path. For more information, please follow this link.

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