Summer in Nature TourGet ready to unwind in the valleys of southern Nara

Welcome to Japan! We will pick you up from the airport and drive to Nara Prefecture.
Enjoy beautiful art and craftsmanship at Ryozampaku, an authentic Japanese restaurant. The seasonal dishes are phenomenal in taste, and further beauty is found in the cutlery, crafted by Kikuichi Monju, an authentic sword and knife manufacturer.
Their shop is the only sword maker given permission by the emperor himself 400 years ago to carve the chrysanthemum, a clan symbol of the Japanese royal family, onto their products.

Stroll through Naramachi area where streets are full of old merchants’ houses and shops.
Visit Japanese sweets master Nakanishi Yosaburo, and make Japanese sweets yourself while being taught by the professional confectioner.
For those who wish to explore Naramachi area more, we recommend stopping by a historical calligraphy ink manufacturer, and tasting the very popular shaved ice dessert with sauce and topping of your choice.Welcome to Japan! We will pick you up from the airport and drive to Nara Prefecture.
Enjoy beautiful art and craftsmanship at Ryozampaku, an authentic Japanese restaurant. The seasonal dishes are phenomenal in taste, and further beauty is found in the cutlery crafted by Kikuichi Monju, an authentic sword and knife manufacturer.
In a tradition that dates back 400 years, they are the only swordsmith with permission from the Emperor to carve the chrysanthemum, a clan symbol of the Japanese Royal Family, onto their products.


Stroll through the Naramachi area where the streets are full of old merchants’ houses and shops.
Visit Nakanishi Yosaburo, a famous traditional sweets shop, and make Japanese sweets for yourself while being taught by a professional confectioner.
For those who wish to explore the Naramachi area further, we recommend stopping by a historical calligraphy ink manufacturer, and tasting the very popular shaved ice dessert, known as kakigori, with a topping of your choice.

The first stop is Hase-dera Temple, famous for seasonal flowers and a gorgeous, red, 200m high five-story pagoda surrounded by nature. In summer, visitors are rewarded with stunning views over the temple grounds where one can find 3,000 hydrangeas, green maple leaves, and vibrant clematis.
The main hall is usually prohibited to visitors, but you will have an exclusive private tour guided by a monk of the temple. Touch the foot of the Kannon (Bodhisattva) statue, which is said to grant wishes.


Then visit Murou-ji Temple, which has another beautifully maintained five-story pagoda, a main hall, and many Buddhist statues, all designated as National Treasures of Japan.
Here you can enjoy an exclusive prayer session with the monks inside the Golden Hall, which is normally closed to the public. Enjoy a feeling of fulfillment from participating in these rare experiences.
Then visit Murouji Temple, which has another beautifully maintained five-story pagoda, main hall, and many Buddhist statues, all designated as Japan's national treasures.
Here you can enjoy an exclusive prayer session with the monks inside the Golden Hall which is again normally closed to the public. Please allow yourself to be fulfilled through these rare experiences!

Today, allow your body and mind to be refreshed by Japan's natural spring water.
Visit Mitarai Keikoku Valley, a beautiful mountain location famous for its scenic views and emerald-colored river that runs through a boulder-strewn course. Try the cool, sweet Gorogoro water from its mountain spring source in Dorogawa, which is listed as one of Japan’s top 100 spring waters.
On the way there, visit a farmer’s market in the Yoshino area to gain an understanding of the local lifestyle. Drive to the Dorogawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort and take some time to unwind and refresh.Then enjoy lunch at Kiraku Kyubei, a restaurant founded in 1917 and very popular among the locals; it has a great view overlooking the clear stream of the Dorogawa River.

After lunch, visit Menfudo Limestone Cave, where the average temperature remains 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) all year long. Enjoy the cool temperature and the beautiful soda straw formations there! Afterwards, drink refreshing mineral water at the Gorogoro-mizu rest area, and visit the Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine, which is famous for Noh Theatre and visited by those seeking success in art and entertainment.
Enjoy your stay at Dorogawa Onsen Kadojin, an authentic Ryokan (Japanese Inn) in a room equipped with a private open-air bath hot spring.

Explore Gojo Shinmachi, a 400-year-old town that prospered during the Edo period where you can find a variety of interesting old wooden townhouses.
Enjoy fresh local produce for lunch at “Genpei,” a newly renovated townhouse which was originally built about 250 years ago. Your next stop is a mountain-enclosed plain on which a massive temple complex has been built.
Mt. Koya or "Koya-san" in Japanese, is a very sacred place within Japanese Buddhism. Visitors can choose from 52 different possible sub-temples to stay the night at here, making it a very popular location to visit for those seeking an authentic temple-stay experience. Walk through the huge compound of Kongobu-ji Temple, the gateway for the entirety of Mt. Koya, which features beautiful rock gardens. Visit the Main Gate, the oldest building in the temple grounds, and Konpon Daito, a pagoda built to embody esoteric Shingon Buddhist teachings.

Taste the authentic Japanese cuisine derived from the dietary restrictions of Buddhist monks known as "shojin ryori.” At last, take a deep breath and rest well in your temple quarters.

Deep in the mountain sanctuary of Koya-san is the impressive Okuno-in Cemetery. It extends about 2km from Ichinohashi Bridge to the mausoleum of Kobo Diashi, the founder of Mt. Koya and an immensely important historical figure who introduced Shingon Buddhism to Japan around 12 centuries ago. Pay your respects and immerse yourself in the quiet and calm of this spiritual location where time seems to have been on pause since the time of ancient Japan.

Leave the past behind for the rest of the day and immerse in the modern, energetic and bustling metropolis of Osaka! Stroll through the Shinsaibashi area, a lively area famous for gourmet food and shopping. You are free to explore, purchase souvenirs, and enjoy a lunch of your choice. Thousands of Japanese people venture here daily; in Shinsaibashi’s long roof-covered market streets you can find anything you wish to buy and dining options ranging from street stand snacks to luxury cuisine.

At around 15:30, we will provide private transportation to the hotel of your choice, in the south or the northern part of Osaka city.

With bags packed and many memories to take home with you, no need to worry about transportation; let us drive you back to Kansai International Airport.