Home Yanagimoto Course
Kofun tombs connected to Japan’s earliest leaders, a town of a medieval clan, and natural beauty along the oldest path in Japan.
Located in southern Tenri City, Yanagimoto Town has a rich history that goes back to ancient times, and continues throughout the middles ages, and all the way to modern times. There are kofun tombs connected with some of Japan’s earliest leaders, as well as many remnants of the Yanagimoto Oda Clan that once controlled the area in the samurai era. Accenting this history are the year-round flowers that bloom at a 9th century temple, the cherry blossom petals that float in a 4th century moat, and the seasonal colors of Japan’s oldest path, the Yamanobe-no-Michi path. As you walk from time period to time period on the ancient paths and traditional townscapes, we are sure you will feel for yourself why Tenri is Time Travel City.
Course Overview
From JR Yanagimoto Station, we first walk through the streets of Yanagimoto Town to Kurozuka Kofun tomb and its museum. A path leads us around and to the top of the tomb’s mound, which has a nice view of the surrounding town, the eastern mountains, and part of the Nara Basin. The museum in the adjacent park shows us what the burial chamber of the tomb looked like when it was first discovered, and introduces us to the bronze mirrors and other items excavated from it (replicas). Many of these items are said to provide clues to the beginnings of Japan in this region, and the presence of Queen Himiko.
The museum also has samurai armor that once belonged to the Yanagimoto Oda Clan, which was related to Oda Nobunaga, a historic leader of Japan. Along the edge of the moat of Kurozuka Kofun tomb, we can still see parts of the stone wall from the clan’s castle as well. From Kurozuka Kofun tomb we head south to Sengyo-in temple, the temple of the Yanagimoto Oda Clan, where the clan grave is located. Then we head east to Izanagi Jinja shrine, which was connected with the clan as well.
Next is the Tomb of Emperor Sujin, the majestic 4th century tomb where the 10th emperor of Japan sleeps. We then walk along the south side of the imperial tomb toward the foothills of the eastern mountains and the Yamanobe-no-Michi path. As we head north on the oldest path of in Japan, we arrive at Kushiyama Kofun tomb. Though covered by a forest, we can still walk across this 4th century tomb. The tomb has a round mound in the middle of a rectangular shape, and we can see the “tsukuridashi” extension where it is thought rituals were held.
We continue north on the Yamanobe-no-Michi path to Chogakuji Temple. Known as the “flower temple”, it is beautiful throughout the year, and is especially popular for the vibrant autumn leaves that surround its pond. Just around the corner from Chogakuji Temple is the Tenri City Trail Center, where hikers can rest, buy drinks and snacks, find tourism information, and even eat at the restaurant!
On the way back toward JR Yanagimoto Station, we stop by Gochido, a separated hall of Chogakuji Temple established in the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). It is located on the historic the Kamitsumichi and Kamikaido road, and we can enjoy its traditional streetscape as we head south back toward JR Yanagimoto Station.
