Yamanobe-no-michi Road, the oldest road in Japan, runs through at the foot of eastern mountains of Nara Basin.
In this area, huge burial mounds and oldest shrines blend well with quiet farming villages.
This tour might take you back in time to the ancient mythical period. The road is mostly flat and comfortable to walk on.
JR Nara Station
Meet and move to Yamanobe-no-michi Road.
In the beginning, make a short stop at "Kurozuka Kofun Exhibition Hall". Then start walking through small villages, along the huge tombs of ancient emperors, in the rice paddy fields and orchards. (Fruits picking experience is available in autumn.) Those fruits and vegetables are sold at unattended stands along the roadside. Stop to take a break at a fine-viewing spot.
Visit Hibara Shrine and have lunch.
Visit Omiwa Shrine, Japan's oldest shrine, whose object of worship is Mt.Miwa on the back. "Sake", Japanese rice wine, originated here in Miwa Shrine. You can visit "Sake" shop or other shops selling local specialties, such as "Somen" noodle, very thin noodle made from wheat, or "Monaka", a kind of Japanese sweet.
the end of the tour
JR Nara Station
Yamanobe-no-michi Road has been kept unchanged. So visitors can enjoy the ancient atmosphere.
For start, you'll visit the Kofun Exhibition Hall and get brief information on the burial mounds and this area.
Then take time to enjoy walking in the peaceful historic road.
Many fruits, especially persimmon and orange, are grown here, and you'll have a chance to enjoy fresh or processed fruits on the way.
In autumn, you can also enjoy fruits picking as an optional experience.
You'll be refreshed during the walking through the beautiful historic landscape.
guide fee (JPY22,200), the transportation fee of the guide(JPY2000),
Your transportation fee (JPY570 for an adult), lunch,
The price of the tour includes the guide fee and the guide's transportation fee between home and the travel city.
Not Available in August
・Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to walk in.
・Bring enough drinks.
・Keep good social distance and wear masks if necessary.
Michiko was a wonderful guide! She planned a perfect day with seamless transitions, including finding a delicious sushi spot away from the crowds that proved a perfect respite in the midst of our day. She was very knowledgeable and exceptionally patient in working with us as I experienced a back injury and I needed to be careful with how much sitting and walking I did. We all enjoyed her services tremendously!
Thank you so much for your kind review! I was surprised to know the day of the tour was your wedding anniversary by chance, and it was an honor to guide you and your family on such a special day. I really had a great time visiting several beautiful places in Kyoto and talking with you all. I hope your back pain will be cured soon and enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan!
I loved my tour of Osaka castle and the Umeda Sky building. Michiko picked me up from my hotel to avoid me getting lost and gave guidance on airport transfers for my day of departure regarding what rail platform and station to use also. Towards my tour end she dropped me off in Dotonbori since I wanted to visit that area and she recommended some local restaurants. Highly recommend Michiko for your tour guide needs.
Thank you for the wonderful review! I'm happy to share the half day to appreciate 2, old and new masterpieces of architecture. I was impressed that you enjoyed looking at details and thinking about how they work. I hope you will continue to travel and discover more wonders!
We enjoyed two fantastic tours with Michiko! She introduced us to both Kyoto and Nara. Her expertise, planning, kindness and English were much appreciated. In Kyoto, we explored the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Monkey Park, the Bamboo Forrest and had an excellent meal. In Nara, we visited a magnificent shrine, fed deer, played in a toy museum, and had extraordinary deserts. All members of our family had a great time. Thank you, Michiko!
Thank you for the wonderful review! I also had a great time with you and your family in Nara and Kyoto. In all the places we visited, you and your family were immersed in the atmosphere, to feel it to the fullest, which impressed me a lot. We have many more places to visit, so I hope you and your family will come back to Japan near future!
We had the pleasure of having Michiko as our tour guide in Nara, and she exceeded all our expectations. Her English is excellent, making communication smooth and easy. She was fantastic with our two kids, engaging them with a fun scavenger hunt game where they used stickers to mark the places we visited. This thoughtful touch kept them entertained and made the tour even more enjoyable. Michiko is one of the best tour guides we've encountered in all our years of traveling to different countries. She was proactive in communicating with me before the tour, discussing the itinerary in detail and offering helpful suggestions for transportation options. Her knowledge, kindness, and attention to detail made our experience unforgettable. We highly recommend Michiko to anyone visiting the Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka areas. She truly made our trip special!
Thank you for the wonderful review. I also had a great time guiding such a loving family like you! I was impressed that you always kindly talked to your children and helped them understand the value of what they had seen. This tour became one of my unforgettable experiences! I hope you will come back here and see you again!