Hasedera Temple Gate Town (長谷寺門前町)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The temple approach extending along the Hase River (初瀬川) from Kintetsu Hasedera Station (近鉄長谷寺駅) is a quaint stone-paved shopping street lined with lodges, teahouses, and souvenir shops. You can leisurely stroll while sampling local specialties like mugwort mochi and arrowroot sweets characteristic of Nara. At the end of the approach stands the imposing Nio Gate of Hasedera, with the beautiful greenery of the stairs leading upward. Hasedera is the eighth station on the Saigoku (Western) pilgrimage route and is also famous as a peony blossom destination. For this course, simply reaching the gate town and enjoying its atmosphere provides plenty of Yamato region charm without necessarily entering the temple grounds.

Tips

About 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Hasedera Station, or approximately 10 minutes by Kintetsu train from Sakurai Station. Food items can be purchased at various shops along the approach. If entering Hasedera temple grounds, separate admission is required. Since the fireworks venue at Sakurai City Shiba Athletic Park is in the direction of Sakurai Station, begin moving around 4:30 PM to have adequate time for evening preparations.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes required. The soft afternoon light makes the stone pavement and historic merchant houses particularly atmospheric.

Access & map

〒633-0112 Nara Prefecture, Sakurai City, Hase, Hase Street