Totsukawa Village, Nara’s southern most district, is the largest village municipality in Japan. At 67,235 hectares it’s about the same size as Lake Biwa, and takes up about one fifth of Nara Prefecture’s total area, but is home to fewer than 3,000 people. It’s one of the most secluded areas of the country and offers up a number of unique adventures to the daring traveler.
The village has a rugged history, once home to some of Japan’s fiercest samurai. That mountain spirit still lingers here, and you can feel it as you walk through its ancient trails, one of which is the Kumano Kohechi Trail part of the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO world heritage site of pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range
Although best accessed by car, it is possible to get to Tostsukawa Village by bus via the longest bus route in Japan. From Kintetsu Yamato-yagi Station, you can take Nara Kotsu’s limited express bus taking approximately 4 hours to Totsukawa Onsen. The bus terminates at JR Shingu Station on the Pacific Coast in Wakayama Prefecture.
Tanise Suspension Bridge
Totsukawa isn’t just known for its history. It’s also famous for its suspension bridges—none more iconic than the Tanise Suspension Bridge.
This bridge, also called Tanise-no-Tsuribashi, connects the villages of Tanise and Uenochi. Built in 1954 with donations from local residents, this wire suspension bridge stretches 297 meters long and hangs 54 meters above the river below. At the time of its completion, it was the longest steel wire suspension bridge in Japan. Today, it remains one of the country’s oldest and most impressive.
Crossing the bridge is an experience that’s not for the faint of heart. The planks beneath your feet are only about 80 centimeters wide, with gaps between them revealing the river far below. The bridge sways gently in the wind, making every step feel like a small adventure. For safety reasons, no more than 20 people are allowed on the bridge at once—though even with just a few people, you’ll feel it move beneath you.
Despite its age and movement, the Tanise Suspension Bridge is perfectly safe. It offers breathtaking views in every season—whether you're looking out over lush greenery or snow-covered mountains. And for those who seek a bit more excitement, there’s Yuredaiko—a festival held every August 4th where taiko drummers perform on the narrow bridge high above the valley.
The Tanise Suspension Bridge isn’t just a crossing; it’s an experience. Whether you're here to conquer your fear of heights or simply to take in the view, this iconic structure offers something for everyone.
Important Notice
Notice of Full Closure of Tanise Suspension Bridge from November 5th (Totsukawa Village Planning and Tourism Division). Due to the demolition work of an adjacent building, Tanise Suspension Bridge will be completely closed to the public for safety reasons. Additionally, a section of the village road that provides access to the Uenoji Village Parking Lot will also be closed.
■ Closure Period: November 5, 2024 – End of March 2025 (planned) / All day
■ Closed Area: Tanise Suspension Bridge, section of the village road adjacent to Uenoj Village Parking Lot
During this period, crossing or viewing the Tanise Suspension Bridge will not be possible.
■ Regarding Bus Services: The Nara Kotsu Yagi-Shingu Express Bus and the village bus will operate on an alternative route and maintain their regular schedule.
Access:
Location: 65-2 Uenoji, Totsukawa, Yoshino District, Nara 637-1106
Hours: 24hrs
Fee: Free
*Temporarily closed. Opens end of March 2025.
labo
labo was opened in November 2023 by Hanako and Tarek, a Japanese wife and Canadian husband team - a duo whose fresh vision has brought an international flair to this quiet corner of Nara Prefecture. Located just a few minutes walk from the Tanize Suspension Bridge, the cafhas a become a hub for the local village and a popular stop for tourists to rest and refresh.
The menu at labo offers a selection of expertly brewed coffees and teas alongside light snacks, sweets and a variety of limited edition dishes from all over the world. I was recommended the Nanaimo Bar, three magical layers consisting of a coconut crumb base, a custard filling and a chocolate ganache top. A much loved Canadian treatsweet that pairs well with coffee and gives you a little bit of extra happiness to continue your day
There are very few cafes in the Totsukawa area. For locals and visitors alike, finding a spot to enjoy a good cup of coffee or a light snack is no small feat. This makes labo not just a welcome addition but an essential one - a trendy cafe with good coffee and delicious sweets; it’s a symbol of what small, thoughtful businesses can bring to rural areas. You can't help but want it to be a roaring success.
Access:
Location: 294 Tanize, Totsukawa, Nara 637-1106
Hours:
Sat, Sun & Nat. hols: 9:00 - 17:00 | Mon & Fri: 10:30 - 17:00
Closed: Tues, Wed, Thurs
Walk Pilgrimage Trails
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Roads are the ancient trails that link the three sacred shrines of the Kumano Area in the south of Japan’s Kii Peninsula (Kumano Hongu, Kumano Nachi, and Kumano Hayatama Shrines) together and connect them with coastal cities and other holy areas like Koyasan and Mt. Yoshino. The roads have been used since ancient times by everyone from the lowliest peasant to retired Emperors as they undertook rigorous religious rites and discipline on their shrine pilgrimage.
This historical and cultural significance earned the Kumano Kodo World Heritage status in 2004. The Kumano Kohechi Trail, which links Kumano Hongu Shrine (the central and most sacred shrine) with the beautiful and holy mountain of Koyasan, passes straight through Totsukawa Village, and hiking the route is a great way to experience the richness of the area’s natural beauty, and to immerse oneself in the culture and ways of worship of Japan’s Shugendo Buddhist faith.
Tamaki-jinja Shrine and its ancient cedar forest (the oldest tree of which is over 3,000 years old), is also in Totsukawa Village on the Kumano Kodo’s Omine-Okugakemichi Trail.
Dorokyo Gorge
About 96% of Totsukawa Village’s area is covered by forests and mountains. Sparkling clear blue rivers, waterfalls and other amazing natural sites can be found throughout the area. One of the most spectacular places in the village is the Dorokyo Gorge at the southernmost tip of Nara Prefecture. Classic canyon walls, hiking, rickety suspension bridges and boat rides await any who venture this far out.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the area is to take a boat ride
down the emarld-aquamarine waters of the Kitayama River. There are several different types of cruises available with a few different hop-on points along the river.
Dorokyo is registered as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty Natural Monument” and the Kawabune cruise will leave you in no doubt as to why.
Access:
Dorokyo Tours Kawabune Kawasemi
Location: 410-1 Koka, Totsukawa, Yoshino District, Nara 647-1581
Tel: 090-2196-8533
Open: March 1st to November 30th
Hours: 08:00 - 17:00
Closed: Irregular
Fees: ¥2,500 per person (¥2,000 per person until April 30th 2025)
Kuuchuu-no-Mura
Kuuchuu-no-Mura, or "Village in the Sky," is a treetop park in Totsukawa Village and one of the most unique locations anywhere in the Kansai region. Completed in 2020 and inspired by the French concept of outdoor parks that harmonize with nature, the park features an array of treehouses and ropeways, allowing visitors to explore the forest canopy from heights ranging between 4 to 12 meters. In spring, the park is enveloped in clouds of sakura blossoms and vibrant red and oranges in the autumn.
The brainchild of Jolan Ferreri, a French expatriate who settled in Totsukawa in 2016, Kuchu-no-mura is designed as a sophisticated playground for adults. Jolan's vision extends beyond mere recreation; he aims to revitalize the area while ensuring the health of the trees. The park includes mini tree-top cafés serving fair trade coffee, biscuits and juices, spaces for napping and reading, and even facilities for remote work, all connected by net bridges and platforms. Visitors can enjoy day trips or opt for overnight stays in a treehouse, transparent domes, aerial tents or hammocks. Each offers a unique way to experience the forest.
Jolan's project, developed with local government support, leverages Totsukawa's abundant forest resources to create an escape from crowded tourist spots. The park offers a blend of adventure and tranquility, inviting city dwellers to reconnect with nature in an innovative setting.
Access:
Location: 112 Ogawa, Totsukawa, Yoshino District, Nara 637-1441
Open: March 1st to November 30th
Hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Closed: Tuesday
Fees: Day Pass: ¥3,000 | Overnight Stay: From ¥6,000 per person
Enjoy Totsukawa Village's Hot Springs
Totsukawa Village is home to the hot spring villages of Kamiyu, Totsukawa Onsen and Tosenji Onsen. Tosenji Onsen is on the list of the 100 best hot spring areas in Japan, as the water from some of its springs is fresh enough to drink, and the baths use water directly from the source without any reheating or recycling. This practice is known as kakenagashi and it ensures an unadulterated experience for visitors.
Designated as a "National Recreation Hot Spring Area," each accommodation in the area features its own hot spring bath, making a restorative soak an essential part of any visit.
The village offers a variety of hot spring experiences, each with distinct characteristics tied to its geography. The most historic of these is Tosenji Onsen. Its waters are classified as a simple sulfur spring, long believed to aid in recovery from illnesses and injuries. This connection to healing has made Tosenji a cornerstone of the village's onsen culture. Totsukawa Onsen, located by the tranquil shores of Futatsuno Dam Lake, is the heart of the village's hospitality scene, surrounded by inns and shops. Its sodium bicarbonate and chloride-rich waters are known for their skin-beautifying properties and their ability to ward off chills.
Unique to this onsen is the option to drink the mineral water—a rarity—and some local inns even incorporate it into their cuisine.Further afield lies Kamiyu Onsen, where the waters are likened to "soaking in beauty serum." This spring is classified as a sulfur-containing sodium hydrogen carbonate spring, renowned for its potent skin-enhancing effects. In total, Totsukawa Village boasts around 20 hot spring facilities, ranging from public baths to intimate inns. Each offers a unique way to immerse yourself in the village’s natural bounty, making it a destination where relaxation and rejuvenation flow as freely as the springs themselves.
Hotel Subaru
Perched amidst verdant mountains, Hotel Subaru provides a quiet sanctuary with a touch of extravagance. Hotel Subaru offers 100% pure natural hot springs, high-quality cuisine and spacious accommodation.
Despite being located deep in the Nara countryside, the hotel is a hub of activity. The Kohechi trail is located nearby, which makes it a popular spot for those traveling the Kumano Kodo and the famed healing properties of the hot springs bring people from all over Kansai. In front of the hotel is a large open grass area ideal for frisbee, gate ball, badminton and so forth with a play area for children near the carpark. At the far end is an outdoor stage and the famed Yaen or 'Wild Monkey Ropeway' a manually operated ropeway consisting of a small cabin suspended on wire ropes stretched across a river. Before suspension bridges were built, this was an essential means of transportation and you are free to try it out for yourself.
Dining at Hotel Subaru is a celebration of Totsukawa’s natural bounty. The chefs craft seasonal kaiseki meals that highlight local ingredients like freshly caught river fish, mountain vegetables, and regional specialties such as sashimi konnyaku and yubeshi (a citrus-miso delicacy). Each dish is thoughtfully prepared to showcase the flavors of the region while offering guests a visual feast.
Access:
Location: 909-4 Hiradani, Totsukawa, Yoshino District, Nara 637-1554
Check-in: 15:00–18:00
Check-out: By 10:00
Reservations are accepted up to six months in advance.
Tamaki-jinja Shrine
Perched near the summit of Mount Tamaki at an altitude of 1,076 meters, Tamaki-jinja Shrine is a sacred site steeped in history and natural beauty. Founded in 37 B.C. during the reign of Emperor Sujin, it has long been a revered stop for pilgrims walking the Omine Okugake Trail, part of the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes. Surrounded by towering cedar trees and often enveloped in a sea of mysterious mist, the shrine exudes an atmosphere of solemnity and mysticism.
Reaching Tamaki Shrine is no small feat. The narrow, winding mountain roads leading to the car park can be challenging to navigate, particularly in winter when snowfall often renders them impassable. From the parking area, it is then another 20-minute walk along a beautiful forested path to arrive at the main shrine. Legend holds that the shrine can only be reached by those "called by the gods." Many believe that unforeseen obstacles - be it sudden weather changes or personal misfortunes, prevent those not deemed worthy from completing their journey. All this makes finally arriving at the shrine feel extra special.
After the 1868 decree separating Buddhism from Shintoism, the Buddhism elements of Tamaki-jinja Shrine were completely eliminated, but itr remains an important sight for practitioners of Shugendo, a syncretic faith blending Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism. The shrine has served as a training ground for Shugendo ascetics since at least the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and its connection to spiritual discipline remains strong today.
Due to its remote location, the shrine is best reached by car or via the World Heritage Bus service from Totsukawa Onsen (weekends and public holidays only). Reservations for the bus must be made by 17:00 on the preceding business day through your accommodation or directly with Nara Kotsu (+81-746-64-0408). Also, mobile reception is unavailable in this remote area, so plan accordingly. Allow at least 90 minutes to fully explore the shrine grounds.
Access:
Location:647-1582 Nara, Yoshino District, Totsukawa, Tamaigawa, １
Hours:
Shrine Offerings: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Prayer Reception: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Fee: ¥500 (for interior viewing) *Currently suspended due to renovations.
Author: NARA Visitor Centre & Inn
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