Tenkawamura

Yoshino County - Tenkawamura

Generally called the “Heavenly Country”, this is a paradise of water and greenery where untouched nature still remains.

Yoshino County is located in the southern half of Nara Prefecture. Tenkawamura is situated in its center, and a quarter of its land is a large village full of greenery known as Yoshino-Kumano National Park. It has been named in 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and Japan’s 100 Best Waters for its mountain ranges and sparkling pure streams. The villages at altitudes of 441 to 820 meters are famous as being the summer resorts of Nara. Recent years have seen an increase in overseas guests looking for cool, refreshing air.

Founded 1,300 years ago, this temple is still a place for training that is prohibited to women.

Nature is not the only reason people flock to Tenkawamura. Omine Okugakemichi is a steep mountain path that stretches from north to south, connecting Yoshino to Kumano, and has been a Buddhist pilgrimage route for the past 1,300 years. It is part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, registered as a World Heritage site, where women are still strictly prohibited from entering certain areas, as it is a location of strict mountain asceticism. Around the middle of the tenth century, that name was famous all the way to China. Mt. Omine is also home to the Tenkawa Daibenzaiten Shrine, which enshrines the god of performing arts, making it a place where many come to pay their respects.

The Tenkawamura Dorogawa River is the source of Goro Goro Water.

If you decide to stay in Tenkawamura, be sure to search for an inn at the Dorogawa Onsen or Tennokawa Onsen in the central area. The area is a small hot spring town where you can peek in on the laid back life of the countryside. The water of the Dorogawa River flowing through Tenkawamura has been known since ancient times for its purity. Goro Goro Water was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Waters, and many people come from far away to draw this water. The name comes from the “goro goro” sound it makes as it flows over large boulders.

For reference

Address

60 Oaza Sawatani, Tenkawamura, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Telephone

0747-63-0321 (Tenkawamura Town Hall)

Access

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 45 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 20 minute flight from Narita Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 15 minute flight from Fukuoka Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 2 hour, 20 minute flight from Naha Airport.

Take the Nankai Electric Railway from Kansai International Airport via Kintetsu Abeno Station to Shimoichiguchi Station (2 hr.).

From Shimoichiguchi Station take the Nara Kotsu Bus and get off at the last stop, Dorogawa Onsen (1 hr.).

Map

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