History
Kuragari Pass 暗峠
Kuragari Pass is a well-trodden path that once connected Osaka and Nara, and has been used since the 8th century
Kuragari Pass was originally used for transporting goods and by pilgrims traveling to Ise-jingu Shrine. These days, it is more likely to be used by weekend hikers looking for a break from the big cities.
Don't Miss
- The monuments dedicated to the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest extant collection of poetry
- The contemplative Amitabha Tathagata statue
- Sekibutsuji Temple and its granite sculpture
How to Get There
A car is necessary to get to the area. Use Route 308 and head west from Nara 20 minutes to reach the pass.
Traveling the Kuragari Pass
At 17 kilometers, it is widely believed to be the shortest road linking Nara 
and Osaka . Many travelers nowadays skip the hiking and take a taxi the short distance.
This doesn't mean that you should skip the hike. Although it is a bit more strenuous, it is well worth doing, as one of the highlights of the pass are the magnificent views of Awaji Island , Kansai International Airport , Abeno Harukas and the buildings of Umeda from the top of the pass.
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.
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