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Leisure/Gourmet
Tourist guide of Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture
- Ikoma City is not only a university town, but also an ideal residential area with a population of nearly 120,000.
With well-developed roads and railways, and close proximity to Osaka Namba and downtown Nara, traveling from Ikoma to the city center is extremely convenient for both business and leisure.
Ikoma, with its cool summer breezes and well-preserved nature, is fresher to breathe and is an average of 2 to 3 degrees cooler than the urban areas of Osaka and Nara, making it a popular summer vacation destination since the Edo period.
Whether you're looking for a family getaway to the amusement park, a solo or group hike along one of the many hiking course, or a relaxing dinner with friends, Ikoma has unique attractions that are sure to ensure a memorable trip.
Easy travel ~Visiting tourist spots without baggage~
- Japan is a mountainous country, and slopes and stairs are commonplace.
Moving heavy luggage from hotel to hotel is not recommended in your travel plan.
For travelers to Osaka, Nara, or Kyoto, staying in Ikoma saves you the hassle of traveling from hotel to hotel, as most of the attractions in these areas are within an hour of Ikoma.
Kannabi Ikomayama Hotel is located in Monzencho, a beautiful mountain tourist destination in the centre of Ikoma city.
It can be accessed from Ikoma Station by taxi, public bus, cable line, or on foot.
Also located a five-minute walk away are the restaurant and inn "Monzen Okagero" run by the same group, and the Balinese restaurant "Maharajaya".
Leisure/Gourmet List
【Recommended sightseeing spots】
- ・Hiking, temple visiting, and Mt. Ikoma history tour.
・You can take on Japan's most rugged roads by bicycle or on foot.
・Train your mind and body at Field Athletic Park.
・Enjoy an amusement park with your family.
・Participate in seasonal local events.
・Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine made with fresh local ingredients.
・Experience Chasen manufacturing process and taste the finest Japanese tea.
・Sake tasting and cherry blossom viewing.
・You can enjoy golfing at various golf course located within an hour's drive.
【Ikomayama hiking course】
- For nature lovers who want to explore the beauty of Mt. Ikoma on foot, the options are endless.
■Hiking course list
| course 1 Kuragaritogue, or the Dark Pass(Kuragaritogue) | Passing through the time tunnel from modern society, You can have the experience of walking through an ancient road preserved in time and finally returning to the present day. |
|---|---|
| course 2 Chasen(Chasen) | A journey around Takayama Town, which has long been a production center of Chasen, an important tool for Japanese tea. You can also experience making Chasen. Enjoy the taste of authentic Japanese tea. |
| course ③ Ikoma Taisha Shrine(Ikoma Isha) | This route visits Ikoma Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines. You can also experience the journey of envoys to China. |
| course 4: Hozan-ji Temple(Hozanji) | Hozan-ji Temple and the surrounding nature have long been a sacred training ground for Shugendo practitioners and Buddhist monks. You can spend some quality time with your family at Mt. Ikoma Amusement Park, an amusement park located at the top of Mt. Mount Ikoma. It will be a day full of spiritual healing and fun activities. |
【Ikoma leisure/gourmet list】
- Ikoma cable line
Opened on August 29, 1918.
This is Japan's first cable line, built during the Taisho era. 
Opened in 1929.
It is the oldest surviving flying tower in Japan and the only playground equipment to have survived World War II.
An ancient road that is the shortest route connecting Nara and Osaka.
It is said to be the steepest road in Japan.
The most difficult part of the route is a 37 degree bend.
Kuragaritogue, or the Dark Pass is currently part of National Route 308.
It is the only highway in modern Japan that has some stone-paved roads.
Ikoma Sanroku Park, which spreads out on the middle slope of Mt. Ikoma, is about 2km from the city center, yet is surrounded by the lush nature of Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen -National Park.
The park has a campsite and a wide variety of facilities and programs, so people of all ages can have fun all day long.
The field athletics within the park are the only full-scale athletics facilities in the Kansai region.
Along the approximately 800m course, there are 30 authentic play equipment based on the legends and history of Ikoma.
course is challenging with many ups and downs that make use of the mountain's undulating terrain.
Recommended for upper elementary school students and adults.
You can experience Takayama Chasen making and matcha tea making.
You can also see alpine bamboo lights.
This hot spring is open all year round.
Business hours are from 9:00 to 21:00. (Last admission 20:00)
The hot spring has its source in the deep sea at a depth of 1,850m, and features the largest open-air bath in Nara Prefecture, as well as a cypress bath in the women's bath.
It is very popular with locals, from the elderly to children, and tourists alike.
It is a relaxing and healing space.
Founded in 1558, Ueda Sake Brewery has won numerous awards.
This is a sake brewery that continues to preserve its traditions.
For over 400 years, we have been producing only the highest quality sake.
You can also take part in factory tours and sake tastings.
Monzen Okagero is located along the atmospheric stone steps of the approach to Hozan-ji Temple, located on the middle slope of Mt. Ikoma in Nara Prefecture.
This facility was originally built in 1916 and was used as a ryokan inn for many years. It was renovated in 2014 and used as a venue for the Nara Prefectural Art Festival. In 2015, it was reopened as a complex that can be used for lodging, the Rockontei restaurant, gallery space, rental space, and more.
From the windows of this facility, you can see a panoramic view of Yata Hills and the Yamato Plain, and the scenery changes daily - the morning sun rising over the mountain ridges, the illuminated cityscape and sea of clouds, and the mountains changing color with each season - making for a breathtaking view.Please stop by when you visit Mount Ikoma or Hozan-ji Temple.
At the video cafe Theatre Ajito in the Ikomayama area of Nara Prefecture,
This is a cafe where you can enjoy not only beautiful nature and views, but also videos.
We hold a variety of exhibitions in our store.
We look forward to your visit when you have time.
Enjoy colorful, fragrant pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven in a traditional Japanese house with a panoramic view overlooking the Nara Basin.
Highly sweet fruit tomatoes from Hidaka Village, Kochi Prefecture, and Italian cherry tomatoes with a strong sour and savory taste.
This pizza restaurant mainly serves "Margherita" pizza, which is made with a mix of three types of tomatoes from Nara.- Ikoma neighborhood golf course
From prestigious country clubs to public golf courses,
There are a wide variety of golf courses,
You can enjoy golfing in Ikoma.
Nearby golf courses are located within an hour's drive.
