Hike the Yagyu Kaido, an Ancient Samurai Road! | KANSAI NARA Treasure Travel (Nara/Kyoto/Osaka Japan)

PLAN:2DAYS

PRICE FROM 70,000 JPY

per person (for a group of 6 people)

MONTH:JAN/FEB/MAR/APR/MAY/JUN/JUL/AUG/SEP/OCT/NOV/DEC

TAG:CULTURE/NARA/PRIVATE TOUR/SHRINES AND TEMPLES

OVERVIEW

Come explore Nara’s hidden village, an area full of history and cultural heritage, including old Japanese style houses with beautiful stone walls.
Yagyu is a famous village known for its master swordsmen and also the birthplace of Yagyu Shinkage School of Swordsmanship, which is located in the eastern part of Nara City. The Yagyu Kaido is an ancient road that leads to Yagyu Village from the city center in Nara and passes through the valley located between Mt. Kasuga and Mt. Takamado.
The other course heads toward the Kasagi area from Yagyu Village. This is a special tour that provides a rare opportunity to learn about the true heart of the samurai spirit!
You’ll get to walk the Kengo-no-michi path, as well as the Yagyu-kasagi-no-michi path with a local experienced guide for 2 days. You’ll also get to experience the Yagyu Shinkage School Program!
Listen to the old stories from a Buddhist priest and enjoy watching a demonstration!
At night, you’ll be staying at a local “Minshuku,” a Japanese style guest house where you can experience a true Japanese local lifestyle.

DAY01

Today, you’ll be heading out for a walk on the Kengo-no-michi Path, which runs from Enjo-ji Temple to Yagyu Village.
Start your tour from Enjo-ji Temple, which is famous for a statue of the Buddhist deity “Dainichi Nyorai,” carved by a Japanese master sculptor by the name of Unkei. You can also see a picturesque Jodo-style garden!
After making your way through the nostalgic countryside scenery, the path will lead you to Kaeribasa-toge pass, which has inclines and declines that are quite steep. On the way, we’ll stop to visit the Amano-iwadate-jinja Shrine, known as a nature worship shrine. There is no main sanctuary building, instead a megalith that is split in two has been enshrined here. According to the legend, it is said that Muneyoshi Yagyu, the founder of Yagyu Shinkage School of swordsmanship, cut the megalith in two with a single stroke of his sword during a battle against a Tengu, a legendary creature of Japanese folklore.
DAY02

Enjoy learning about and getting into the Samurai spirit through the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu experience! This special program offers a master class of swordsmanship and meditation.
You can enjoy learning about history from an experienced Buddhist priest of Hotoku-ji Temple. After this memorable experience, you’ll head out for a walk along the Yagyu-Kasagi-no-michi Path with a local guide, then proceed along the Yagyu Kaido course. Please plan to walk for approximately 1.5 hours. On the way, we’ll come across the Ataya-no-Sekibutsu, a 5-meter-high Amida Nyorai statue carved out of natural stone. We’ll also visit Kasagi-dera Temple, which is said to be the origin of the Shuni-e Ceremony of Toda-iji Temple’s Nigatsu-do Hall.
Enjoy some delicious local products at a recommended restaurant for lunch!

Hoping you had a great time, we will say our goodbyes and look forward to seeing you again someday.

PRICE DETAILS

PRICE

70,000 JPY per person (for a group of 6 people)

PRICE INCLUDES

＊1 night accommodation
＊2 Days chartered car with Driver
＊Admission fees
＊Activity fees
＊local English-speaking guide
＊Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip

CAR

1-2 travelers: Sedan
3-6 travelers: Jumbo taxi
Driver+English-Speaking Tour Guide