Sightseeing
The Dorogawa Onsen district, location of the Marubun Inn, has long prospered as a stop for climbers of Mt. Omine.
A retro townscape, and magnificent mountains. Time flows slowly here.
On the grounds of Ryusenji Temple, fresh water flows from a spring called the “Dragon’s Mouth.” Even today, this is used by shugensha (mountain ascetics) for pure, cold water ablutions.
This has been chosen as one the 100 Best Waters in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment. Many people come to the water collection point for Gorogoro Mizu.
Highlights are the giant rocks, and the beautifully clear water you can see them through.
Cave depth is about 80 m. The largest limestone column, the Great Golden Pillar, is 8 meters tall. You ride up the mountainside to the limestone cave on a thrilling open-air monorail for an action-packed experience.
There are about 8 km of hiking paths along the river. It’s easy to enjoy hiking while taking in the beauty of the valley.
Many shugensha (mountain ascetics) come to Mt. Omine, a sacred site of Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism). Even today, the entry of women to the sacred part of the mountain is prohibited.
One of the three great shrines of Benzaiten of Japan. Benzaiten, a water spirit, is also famous as the goddess of music and entertainment.
The region has been long known as a famous spot for flowers. The cherry blossoms are particularly famous, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi once came to view them. Even today, the area bustles with flower-viewing tourists when cherry blossom season arrives. The different stands of trees are called Shimo-Senbon (lower thousand trees), Naka-Senbon (middle thousand trees), Kami-Senbon (upper thousand trees), and Oku-Senbon (inner thousand trees).
There are many nearby tourist spots, including Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Grand Temple which house precious historical cultural heritage; the Nara National Museum, Shoso-in Repository, and other institutions as cultural facilities for artifact preservation; the magnificent, lushly-green natural beauty which surrounds and harmonizes with these structures; and Nara Park, often called an unparalleled historic park. Nara is an ancient capital with playful wandering bands of deer. The city is represented by these deer, the Great Buddha, and lush greenery.