HERITAGE, ARTS & CULTURE
✤ MUROU ART FOREST
A delightful open-air museum and collection of art installations located in the heart of Murou village is based on a concept originally put forward by Bukichi Inoue a local sculptor. Varied art pieces within the park were designed in 2006 by renowned Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan, based on a theme of harmony between nature and art. The park is approximately 700 meters in length and is a family-friendly destination. The visitor’s centre has tables and makes an ideal spot for a picnic on sunny days. This peaceful spot is a perfect place to relax and escape from the bustle of a stressful life.
✤ NARA PREFECTURE COMPLEX OF MAN'YO CULTURE
Designed on the theme of the Man’yoshu, a vast waka poetry anthology from the 8th century, the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo culture located in Asuka village, is a museum, with vibrant displays depicting daily life at the time along with artworks inspired by the poems. Replicas of excavated items from Asuka are on display. There is also an exhibition using dolls, so even children can enjoy it. General exhibition rooms are free of charge, and special exhibitions are charged. At the free facility, visitors can see how people lived in those days. Photography is permitted.
✤ DOROGAWA ONSEN
A hidden hot spring retreat deep in the holy mountains, Dorogawa Onsen is located at the foot of sacred Mt. Omine, a major centre of worship for practitioners of Shugendo, an esoteric religion blending Buddhism, Shinto, and mountain worship that originated in the eighth century. The town's high elevation and mild hot springs, with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, makes it the perfect summer retreat. The quaint, well-preserved townscape lined with inns, restaurants, and souvenir shops dates back to when it was a popular onsen destination in the post-war era. At night, one can wander outside after an evening soak to see the main street transformed by the flickering lanterns lining the way.
✤ OKA-DERA TEMPLE
Established in 663 AD. Ryūgai Temple, or commonly known as Oka, literally means the Dragon Lid temple. The primary Buddha of worship is the Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu or the Buddha of wishgranting and is the largest clay Buddhist statue in Japan which was made in the 8th century. Okadera is located on the hillside of Okayama, east of Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture. According to temple lore, Okadera was built by Gibuchi Sojo at the request of Emperor Tenchi. It used to be the centre of Asuka-kyo, the capital of Japan, Asuka Itabuki-no-Miya, the place where the Taika Reforms took place. Paths at the front of the shrine lead to the start of the Mount Wakakusa hiking trail and across to Kasugataisha Shrine, with many small restaurants and tea houses along the way.