For Tourists

Tourist Guide

Culture and History

Access to Ikoma city hall

Map displays (Links to pages describing each area)

Kurondo Pond Area

This Area of natural beauty, blessed with water and greenery, is located in the rolling hills near the far northern section of the city. The mountains in the Area have been designated the Kongo Ikoma Kisen National Park. There are pine trees ringing Kurondo pond and Takayama basin, as well as facilities offering boat rentals and recreational spots.
The neighboring Osaka Metropolitan District has the Prefectural Citizens’ Kurondo Forest Park. The Area around Kurondo Pond is a popular campground in the summer, and is often used for hiking and family excursions in the spring and fall.
The Kurondo Forest around the pond has specially planted trees for each Area, including an oak forest and a forest for leisure activities. The walking trails and signboards undergo maintenance.

[Sites of Interest]

Kurondo Pond

There are lush green Areas around Kurondo Pond with specially planted trees for each Area, including an oak forest and a forest for leisure activities. Along the hiking trails, visitors can enjoy bird watching and basking in the forest environment. Barbecues are a popular activity at the campgrounds. Kurondo Pond has been selected as one of the eight great sightseeing spots of Ikoma. (Takayama-cho, Ikoma)

[Access]

Take the bus bound for Hoji from either the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu Keihanna Line, or the Tomio Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. After passing through Takayama, famous for tea whisk production, the bus will arrive at the Shishigaoka Danchiguchi / Kurondo Ikeguchi stop in about 30 minutes.

Takayama – Noted for tea whisk production

The Takayama Area is noted for tea whisk production, and local artisans are responsible for 90% of the country’s output. The origin of these tea whisks dates from the mid-Muromachi period, when Takayama Sosetsu, the 2nd son of the lord of the Takayama Castle, was asked to make some by Murata Juko, the resident priest at the Shomyoji Temple. Production later grew with the rising popularity of the tea ceremony as personified by the tea master Sen no Rikyu. The production methods for these tea whisks have been conveyed through a tradition in which a parent selects one child to whom to pass on the information.
The Area has shops for the production and sale of many different bamboo products in addition to tea whisks. When visiting in winter, one can see scenes of bamboo stacked to dry in front of hours and in the fields around. This sight is a feature of the winter landscape in Takayama of Yamato. There are displays of tea whisks, tea ceremony implements, and knitting needles at the Takayama Bamboo Park, allowing visitors to enjoy themselves while learning about Ikoma’s traditional industry. Visitors can actually watch the whisks being made on the first and third Sundays of the month.
The Area has many sites associated with the Takayama daimyo. In addition to the Takayama Castle ruins, said to have been the residence of the local Takayama daimyo family at the Takayama manor (now Takayama-cho) since the Middle Ages, there is the Takayama Hachiman-gu Shrine, where the daimyo worshipped, and the site of Enrakuji Temple, where the memorial column donated by the Takayama family remains. The Takayama Hachiman-gu Shrine is noted for its beautiful autumn foliage. Another temple site is Horakuji Temple, said to have been built during the Nara Period by the monk Gyoki at the behest of the Emperor Shomu.

[Sites of Interest]

Horakuji Temple

An ancient branch temple of Todaiji Temple, Horakuji Temple was reputedly built by the monk Gyoki at the behest of the Emperor Shomu during the Nara Period. The temple’s origins make it a valuable site concurrent with the history of Takayama in ancient times. (Takayama-cho, Ikoma)

Takayama Hachiman-gu Shrine

One of the shrine’s guardian deities is Tarashinakatsuhiko-no-Mikoto. It was the shrine where the daimyo worshipped from the Middle Ages at the site of the Takayama manor, now Takayama-cho. The memorial tablet on the ridgepole in the inner shrine (an important cultural property) has an inscription dating from 1572. Also, the Takayama Hachiman-gu Miyaza Gyoji has been designated an intangible folk and cultural asset of the municipality. (Takayama-cho, Ikoma)

Takayama Bamboo Park

The park has on display items from Ikoma’s traditional bamboo craft industry, including tea whisks, tea implements, and knitting needles. There is also a section where videos are shown and a training room. It has a feeling of openness provided by the natural bamboo grove created in the style of a Japanese garden, and a multipurpose square. Popular events there include the Izayoi Concert in October and the Enraku Orakucha (tea ceremony). (Takayama-cho, Ikoma)

[Access]

Take the bus bound for Hoji or Shoda from either the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu Keihanna Line, or the Tomio Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, which will arrive in the Takayama Area in about 30 minutes. The Tandabashi bus stop is the one closest to the Takayama Bamboo Park.

The Kansai Science City Takayama Area

Facilities are being built in the Kansai Science City Takayama Area with the objective of creating an advanced scientific community in Japan. The Area has housing and parks in addition to cultural, academic, and research facilities for advanced science and technology.
Several institutions already are located there, including the Nara Institute of Science and Technology and private sector companies. It is the site of the Takayama Science Festival every autumn, which is held to promote municipal development. The objective is to create a town in which citizens can come into contact with science and technology and interact with scientists by opening the facilities and conducting various events.
The Takayama Science Plaza was created to allow people to feel the pulse of advanced science and technology. It includes the Scientist Rondo, a square for children interested in science; walking trails named after scientists, such as Newton Mall; and sculptures based on scientific themes.

[Sites of Interest]

Takayama Science Plaza

Opened in 1993, this facility for the interaction of culture and technology in the Takayama Area is the Area’s core facility. It has several spaces where visitors can enjoy interacting with science and technology, including the Space 21 video room and an open gallery. It is the site for the popular Science Festival held every autumn. (Takayama-cho, Ikoma)

[Access]

The closest train station is the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station on Kintetsu Keihanna Line.
Take the bus bound for Takayama Science Town from either the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station or the Gakken Nara Tomigaoka Station on the Kintetsu Keihanna Line, or the Gakuen-mae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. These will arrive in the Kansai Science City Takayama Area. You also can walk from the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station.

The Chokyuji Temple and Enshoji Temple Area

The Chokyuji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Ikoma of Yamato, and Enshoji Temple, closely associated with Tsutsui Junkei, are located in the Kami-machi Area, which is surrounded by new residential districts. Chokyuji Temple is said to have been built after Ono Mayumi Takeyumi was killed by a wayward arrow shot by his own son. Grieving for him, the Emperor Shomu ordered the monk Gyoki to build the temple as a memorial. The temple’s main building has been designated a national treasure. Among the temple’s relics is an 11-faced statue of the Goddess Kannon.
Enshoji Temple was moved to Nara City from the present-day Yamatokoriyama City during the Warring States period at the order of Tsutsui Junkei to be used as the Tsutsui family temple. It was again moved and rebuilt in Ikoma in 1985. The main hall has been designated an important national cultural treasure.
This Area is infused with the romance of two important legends: one from the pre-Nara period (the legend of the origin of golden kite) and one from the Nara period (Ono Mayumi Takeyumi). Many sites remain that were referred to in the legends surrounding Nagasunehiko, the local ruling family of the Area that appears in the stories about the origin of golden kite.

[Sites of Interest]

Enshoji Temple

This was the family temple for Tsutsui Junsho, the father of Tsutsui Junkei. The main hall dates from the Muromachi period and has been designated an important cultural treasure. It contains the wooden Monju Bosatsu Kishizo and Fugen Bosatsu Kishozo sculptures, important cultural treasures that date from the Heian period, and a gorinto, an obelisk with Tsutsui Junsho’s name inscribed on it. Reservations are required to view them. (Kami-machi, Ikoma)

Chokyuji Temple

Chokyuji Temple is said to have been built after Ono Mayumi Takeyumi was killed by a wayward arrow shot by his own son. Grieving for him, the Emperor Shomu ordered the monk Gyoki to build the temple as a memorial. The temple’s relics include an 11-faced statue of the Goddess Kannon and the Kuro-urushi-no-zushi, a cabinet, designated an important cultural treasure. The temple’s main building, a national treasure, has a ridgepole with a memorial tablet with an India ink inscription dating from 1279. It is constructed in the architectural style typical for temples during the late Kamakura period. There is also the Hokkein Temple, Yakushiin Temple, Tacchu-Shibo of Enshoin Temple, and a Kannon Hall. Vegetarian meals are also served at Hokkein Temple, Yakushiin Temple, and Enshoin Temple (reservations only). (Kami-machi, Ikoma)

[Access]

From the Tomio Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, take buses bound for Hoji, Shoda, Takayama Gakko Mae, or Kamio-machi. After a 10-minute ride, you’ll reach the Kami-machi district. The closest bus stop to Enshoji Temple is Degaito, and the closest bus stop to Chokyuji Temple is Mayumibashi. It is also possible to go from the Shiraniwadai Station or the Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station on the Keihanna Line.

Mt. Ikomayama – Hozanji Temple Area

The mountainous Area in Ikoma that lies at the border between Nara and Osaka is blessed with the splendor of nature. It also has such recreational facilities as the Ikoma Sanrokukoen Park and Skyland Ikoma, as well as hiking courses, which attract many visitors from Osaka. Located on the side of a mountain, Hozanji Temple is widely known as Shoden-san, a Buddhist temple that brings blessings in this life, including success in business, health, and long life.
At 642 meters above sea level, Mt. Ikomayama is not that high, but it has a fine view from the summit of the Nara Basin and the Osaka Plain. There is also a road at the top of the mountains, and the night view from the summit is known for its beauty.
Hozanji Temple has many events throughout the year. They begin with the Hatsushoden on New Years, and continue with the Setsubun Star Festival in February, the Ogoma Eshiki in April, the Daihannya Eshiki in May, the Ikoma Shoden O-Higan Mantoe in September, and the Butsumyoe in November.

[Sites of Interest]

Path to Hozanji Temple

There is a long stone stairway leading to Hozanji Temple, and alongside the path are a teahouse, gift shop, and Japanese-style inn, as well as other buildings. Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of days gone by.
The stand of cherry trees is also very attractive, and they are enjoyed by people going on hikes or local residents in addition to worshippers.

Hozanji Temple

The temple was founded by the monk Tankai in 1678. The Hannya Cavern is said to have been the site of the religious practice of En-no-Gyoja. The principal image in the temple is the seated figure of Fudomyo’o. The temple houses many items that have been designated as cultural assets by the government, including the Shishikaku guest house, an important cultural treasure dating from the Meiji period; the Kenponchakushoku Mirokubosatsu statue, an important cultural treasure dating from the Kamakura period, and the Nohonzeamihitsu scroll, an important cultural treasure dating from the Muromachi period. In addition, the Daishokankijizaiten is worshipped as the Ikoma Shoden. Many people come to the temple on the 1st and 16th of the month, which are temple festival days. The Hozanji Mantoe held every September is counted as one of the eight finest sights of Ikoma. (Monzen-cho)

Mt. Ikomayama

The summit of Mt. Ikomayama is 642 meters above sea level, and the Ikoma mountainous Area, of which this is a part, has been designated the Kongo Ikoma Quasi-National Park. It is the primary mountain in the Area near the border between Nara and Osaka. There is a road along the foot of the mountain, and Skyland Ikoma, an amusement park, is at the summit. Both Mt. Ikomayama, which is the symbol of the city, and the night view from its summit are counted among the eight finest sights of the Area. (Nabata-cho, Ikoma)

Ikoma Sanrokukoen Park

The park has Hureai center,outdoor activity center, a jungle gym playground course, tennis courts, and a gateball field. The cherry blossoms attract many visitors in the spring. There is also a walking and exercise trail in the park, called Manyo-no-Michi, with monuments for each poem. (Tawaraguchi-cho, Ikoma)

Ikoma Sanrokukoen Park Fureai Center

[Access]

The Kintetsu Ikoma station is the closest train station. The Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line, a funicular railway, also takes passengers to Hozanji Temple and the summit of Mt. Ikomayama. A free shuttle bus operates at regularly scheduled intervals every day from the Higashi-Ikoma Station to the park, passing through Ikoma Station and the Tawaraguchi bus stop. There are also buses to the park that pass through different Areas each day of the week.

The Ikoma Taisha Shirine and Tatsutagawa River Areas

A popular site, the Tatsutagawa River is known for its mention in the Kokin Wakashu waka anthology of the Heian period. It has become increasingly polluted in recent years, which has had a negative impact on its appeal, but local efforts, including those by citizens, are underway to restore the river to cleanliness. These include the Tatsutagawa River Manyo Clean Project and cleanup campaigns. There is also a stand of cherry trees along the river from the Ikoma Taisha Shrine to Ikoma Minami Junior High School, making it a prime spot for outdoor relaxation among the residents of the Area.

[Sites of Interest]

Ikoma Taisha Shrine (Ikoma Niimasu Ikomatsuhiko Shrine)

This is classified as a shikinaisha, or a shrine listed in the Register of Deities (Jinmyocho) of the Engishiki (Procedures of the Engi Era), which dates from 967. It has the Ikoma Mandala, depicting the prosperity of Japan’s Middle Ages. It is worshipped as the guardian deity of 17 municipalities in the Ikoma Valley. The shrine has a well-known fire festival every October, which is counted as one of the eight great sights of Ikoma. This includes the Ikoma Taisha Hitori Gyoji, which has been designated an intangible cultural asset of the city. (Ichibu-cho, Ikoma)

Chikurinji Temple

According to legend, this temple was founded by Gyoki during the Nara period. Gyoki (668-749), spread Buddhism throughout the people suffering under the heavy taxes imposed under the legal system at the time, and worked to better social welfare. The principal image is the Monju Bosatsu Kishi statue. The temple grounds contain the gravesites of the monks Gyoki (nationally-designated historical site) and Ninsho, from the Kamakura period. There are also a group of stone obelisks. (Arisato-cho, Ikoma)

Enpukuji Temple

The principal image is a wooden, 11-faced statue of the goddess Kannon. The main hall, a nationally designated important cultural treasure, was built in a simple Japanese architectural style and has memorial tablets dating from 1371. In front of the main hall are two stone monuments, known as Hokyointo, dating from 1293 in the Kamakura period. They have been designated important national cultural treasures. (Arisato-cho, Ikoma)

Hodoji Temple

Legend has it that the temple was founded by Gyoki. The primary image is the Mokuzo Jizo Bosatsuzo statue. The main hall is a nationally designated important cultural treasure, and was disassembled and repaired from 1986 to 1988. This restored the ridge direction and span to encompass the space of 5 rooms each, which were the original dimensions. There are some gorinto and other stone structures on the grounds dating from the Muromachi period. (Kobirao-cho)

Tatsutagawa River

Part of the Yamatogawa River system, the Tatsutagawa River flows through the southern part of Ikoma Valley, between the Ikoma mountains and the Yata hills. It is known for having been mentioned in a Manyo waka.

Otoda Puppet Joruri

The gravestone for the shamisen teacher in the Otoda burial plot is dated 1767, which is the reason Otoda puppet joruri is thought to have started before then. The puppets, texts, and other materials used in the joruri performances held until recently are stored and displayed at the Haginodai Cultural Treasure Hall. The Otoda Joruri and theatrical materials have been designated as tangible folk culture assets of the city. (Haginodai, Ikoma)

[Access]

The closest stations are the Ichibu Station, the Minami-Ikoma Station, and the Haginodai Station on the Kintetsu Ikoma Line.

The Yata Hills Area

The Yata Hills resemble a green backbone running north and south roughly through the center of the city. They are important as a green space in our daily lives. Taking a stroll on the Yata Hills walking trail (part of which is still under construction) will provide an enjoyable interlude in nature and allow the observation of flowers and birds in the naturally wooded and hilly Areas. It also offers a new panoramic view of Mt. Ikomayama, the entire city, and the surrounding countryside. The trail can be used as an access route to Nara Prefecture’s Yatayama-Asobi-no-Mori in the neighboring city of Yamatokoriyama.

[Sites of Interest]

The Yata Hills Walking Trail

This walking trail roughly bisects Ikoma in a north-south direction. It was built in the Yata Hills, which form a gently rolling backbone of green through the city, employing the characteristics of each section and the surrounding environment.

Shikisai-no-Mori / Yamanoha Kairo Zone (City road Komyo-kami Line – Hanna road)

This site was created to be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. The Areas near the water and the slopes of the hilly district were effectively employed, and trees and shrubs that flower in the summer and turn stunning colors in the fall were planted to offer different scenes to visitors throughout the year.

Kenko-no-Mori / Symbol Koryu Zone (Hanna road – Prefectural road Osaka – Hiraoka – Nara Line)

With exceptionally convenient access from the region, this was created roughly in the center of the Walking Trail to take advantage of the physical characteristics of the Area. It was designed for use by anyone of any age, gender, or physical condition.

Gakushu-no-Mori / Nature Experience Zone (Prefectural road Osaka – Hiraoka – Nara Line – Route 308)

This is a typical mountain forest with different varieties of trees, and pines and other planted trees throughout. The emphasis overall is on the characteristics of a natural sightseeing route. It was built to be used for basking in the forest, learning about the environment, and experiencing nature.

Asobi-no-Mori / Iki-Iki Kairo Zone (Route 308 – Kintetsu Haginodai Station)

We effectively used existing routes and rest Areas in a combination with Yata-Yama-Asobi-no-Mori (a Nara Prefecture park) to create a site at which visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities while enjoying nature.

[Access]

The closest train stations include the Higashi-Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, the Nabata Station, the Minami-Ikoma Station, and the Haginodai Station on the Kintetsu Ikoma Line. The site also can be reached from bus stops in Satsukidai and Asukano.

Access to each Area

Asobi-no-Mori / Iki-Iki Kairo Zone: Walk from the Haginodai Station or Minami-Ikoma Stations
Gakushu-no-Mori / Nature Experience Zone: Walk from the Higashi-Ikoma Station, Nabata Station, or Minami-Ikoma Station, or take the bus from Higashi-Ikoma. Get off at Satsuki Itchome or Satsukidai Jutaku bus stop.
Kenko-no-Mori / Symbol Koryu Zone: Walk from the Higashi-Ikoma or Nabata Station
Shikisai-no-Mori / Yamanoha Kairo Zone: Walk from the Higashi-Ikoma Station or take the bus from Higashi-Ikoma and get off at the Asukano Danchiguchi stop.

Kuragarigoe Nara Kaido Area

The Kuragarigoe Nara Kaido was extremely well traveled as the shortest route between Yamato and Kawachi. There are several old temples along the road said to have been established by the monk Gyoki, including Hodoji Temple. The Area has many relics from the Nara period associated with Gyoki, including his grave, designated a historical site by the Japanese government, on the grounds of Chikurinji Temple.
On the Kuragari Pass, there are still stone pathways, stone Buddha statues, and stone markers, giving the site the aura of a Japanese mountain pass. The poet Matsuo Basho also passed through here on his last journey, and he wrote a poem. The site also appears in the work of Ihara Saikaku. Many people traveled over the peak in days past, and as a result the Oze district flourished as a post town.

[Sites of Interest]

Ikoma Taisha Shrine (Ikoma Niimasu Ikomatsuhiko Shrine)
Chikurinji Temple
Enpukuji Temple
Kuragari Pass
This pass had a 3.3 kilometer stretch of road that was the busiest of all those connecting Yamato and Kawachi. There are still stone pathways, stone Buddha statues, and stone bridges, giving the site the aura of a Japanese mountain pass. The pass is counted as one of the eight best views of Ikoma. (Nishihata-cho, Ikoma)

Hozanji Temple
Tatsutagawa River
Hodoji Temple

[Access]

The closest stations are the Minami-Ikoma Station and the Ichibu Station on the Kintetsu Ikoma Line.