- Culture
- Nara
Yagyu Kaido Trail
Ancient roads representing the rich history of Nara
Situated in the eastern part of Nara City, Yagyu Kaido is an old trail connecting the Nara town center with the village of Yagyu through the valleys between Mount Kasuga and Mount Takamado. Along the road are various areas named after sacred locations in India derived from Buddhism, and it is believed that these areas were training grounds for mountain Buddhism from around 1,300 years ago. Later, when the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship was founded about 300 years ago, Yagyu Kaido became the road traveled by numerous swordsmen.
Hiking trail connecting Nara town center with the village of swordsmen
Today, Yagyu Kaido is a 15-kilometer hiking trail starting at the town center of Nara. Depending on the route, you can experience the atmosphere of varying eras, scenery and nature. The first half of the trail is the Takisaka Path, with paved roads covered in irregular-sized stones and numerous stone Buddha statues worshiped by mountain Buddhists. Once you reach the Yagyu area, the landscape changes into a quaint farming village. Enjoy the walk through the varied scenery of the ancient road.
Legendary boulder in the village of Yagyu
At about 60 meters from behind the Amanoiwatate Shrine, you can find the enormous split boulder called Itto-seki, meaning "stone of a single sword slash." The incredible monument is said to have resulted from a fight between Yagyu Muneyoshi, founder of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school, and a Tengu goblin while training in the mountains. Muneyoshi had thought his sword defeated the Tengu with a single slash, but then realized his sword had split a large boulder there into two. The Itto-seki has also gained attention due to its resemblance to a famous scene in a popular manga comic and has become a famed spot among fans.
Former Residence of the Yagyu Clan's Chief Retainer
The samurai residence was the home of Oyamada Shurei, the Chief Retainer of the Yagyu clan during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The impressive stone wall is marked as the work of stonemasons from Owari in 1841. In modern times, the home was occupied by renowned novelist Sohachi Yamaoka from 1964. Here, Yamaoka is said to have developed the plot of his biographical novel of Yagyu Munenori, son of Yagyu Moneyoshi, which became a television drama series. Today, the residence is a museum exhibiting various materials on the Yagyu clan and Yamaoka.
Location
| Name | Yagyu Kaido Trail |
|---|---|
| Website | https://nara-sightseeing.com/blog/yagyu-kaido-takisaka-no-michi-path/ |
| Address | 155-1 Yagyu-cho, Nara-shi, Nara |
| Access | From bus terminal No. 16 at JR Nara Station West Exit, take the bus for approximately 60 minutes. From bus terminal No. 4 at Nara Station on the Kintetsu Railway, take the bus for approximately 50 minutes. From the Hari IC on the Meihan Expressway, take the National Route 369 north and drive for approximately 20 minutes. From National Route 163, cross the Kasagi Ohashi Bridge, take the Prefectural Road 4 south and drive for approximately 10 minutes. From Nara City, take the National Route 369, turn left at Kencho-higashi intersection, follow the road signs toward Yagyu and drive for approximately 30 minutes. |
| Business Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0742-94-0002 |
