Mount Wakakusa (Nara, Japan)

What makes this place special?

At a Glance

Mount Wakakusa is a 342-meter grassy hill on the eastern edge of Nara Park in Nara. Its smooth slopes are covered in turf and are regarded as one of the defining views of the city. A trail leads from the foot to the summit across three tiers, at 270, 308 and 342 meters.

From the top the view opens about 180 degrees across the Nara Basin toward the Kyoto Basin, and the night view is ranked among Japan's New Three Great Night Views. The summit also holds Uguisuzuka, an old keyhole-shaped burial mound. Every January the dead grass is burned in the Yamayaki festival, which begins with a ceremonial lighting by representatives of Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji, followed by fireworks. Its origin is debated, and the tale of a territorial dispute between the two temples is not supported by records.