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Offered languages
- English
A full day tour which takes into account all that the amazing mountain town of Yoshino has to offer. Made for those who love cycling, hiking, and exploring historical sites.
Our expert local English-speaking guides will give you the best experience possible for a deep dive into the Yoshino region.
Description:
Ride along the scenic Yoshino river, past lumber yards, ancient shrines, and small mountain settlements as you make your way to the hidden valley of Kisadani. Hike up the Manyo no Michi path, an area whose beauty is written about in Japan’s oldest collection of poetry. After a stop at Takataki Waterfall, make the ascent through the forest to the mountain temple district of Yoshinoyama and visit Kinpusen-ji Zao-do Hall, a base for Shugendo mountain worship for over 1,300 years. Enjoy lunch at a local ridgeline-based restaurant, take some time to explore the town, and shop for gifts at the many local shops.
Hike back down to the bikes and ride back to the station.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
A guide will be waiting for you right outside of the ticket gate in front of the station at the time of your train arrival. There is only one ticket gate for Yamato-Kamiichi Station, and if there is somehow a mix up, the Information Center is about a 30 second walk to the west (left).
On the same train line and only 2 stations away from the starting point of the tour (Yamato-Kamiichi Station).
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Yoshino Town is located in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula in southern Nara Prefecture and has a deep history connected with Shugendo mountain worship and a 500-year-old timber industry. The cycling section of this tour will follow the Yoshino River, which runs through the center of the town and into backcountry to the west.
Admission ticket free -
1
Atmospheric forest shrine dedicated to Emperor Tenmu. Features a covered-bridge entrance over the Kisa River and an 800-year-old giant shinboku sacred tree.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
A temple district with World Heritage status built along a mountain ridgeline. It is said that this area was first established with the founding of Kinpusen-ji Temple around 1,300 years ago. The ancient Omine Okugake Michi Pilgrimage Path runs through this area, connecting with the Kumano Kodo Routes farther south. The area is packed with fascinating history and culture to explore, including the vast groves of sakura blossom trees, which are a holy symbol of the local Shugendo faith. There are also a number of local restaurants, shops, and ryokan facilities that cater to visitors.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Kinpusenji Temple
Ancient Shugendo mountain temple founded around 1,300 years ago. Features amazing views over the surrounding mountain landscape and the 500-year-old Zao-do Hall, the 2nd largest Buddha Hall in the country. The tour includes a walkthrough of Zao-do Hall with explanations of the Shugendo-related artwork contained inside.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for those who do not like to exercise
- Because of the active nature of this tour (especially the hiking portion), the schedule of the tour may change depending on the pace of participants and/or other unforeseen circumstances. If the guide determines that the tour is running too far over schedule, they may make adjustments to the itinerary in order to keep the schedule within the allotted 7hr 30min time frame. Just in case, we kindly ask all guests to leave a wide buffer of time between the end of this tour and their next destination.
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for those who do not like to exercise
- Because of the active nature of this tour (especially the hiking portion), the schedule of the tour may change depending on the pace of participants and/or other unforeseen circumstances. If the guide determines that the tour is running too far over schedule, they may make adjustments to the itinerary in order to keep the schedule within the allotted 7hr 30min time frame. Just in case, we kindly ask all guests to leave a wide buffer of time between the end of this tour and their next destination.
- This tour is also open during the season of the cherry blossoms in Yoshinoyama with a few alterations: 1) Prices will be increased due to increased demand, length of tour, and the price of entering Zao-do Hall. During the cherry blossom season, Zao-do Hall’s three giant statues of the deity Zao-gongen are unveiled for the public to see. These statues are an amazing sight and worth the time to see, but the price of admission to the temple does increase for the duration of this special event. 2) Because of the huge crowds of people who visit Yoshino during this time, everything will almost certainly take longer to do - walking the streetscape of Yoshinoyama, shopping for goods, entering Zao-do Hall, etc. We estimate the time will be around 8 hours, but a set schedule cannot be guaranteed. The guide(s) will do their best to keep the group on schedule. 3) Lunch in a restaurant in Yoshinoyama is not something that can be reasonably accommodated due to the crowds so we ask that all guests bring a bento lunch box that can be eaten outdoors, ideally under the beautiful cherry blossom trees of Yoshinoyama (if space is available).
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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