5 Photogenic Superb-View Spots of Nara

When you think of the ancient capital of Nara, the image of deer and the Great Buddha is strong, but in fact it's a treasure trove of "photogenic superb views" known only to those in the know. The superb scenery woven by nature is so beautiful it draws a sigh, even with just a single smartphone. Here we carefully introduce 5 spots that will make you want to go photograph them right now.

01. Soni Highland | A Golden Carpet of Susuki Grass Spreading in an Autumn Paradise

Soni Highland, renowned as one of Nara's foremost superb views. The vast grassland of susuki (silver grass) spanning about 38 hectares is dyed golden in autumn, just like a fantasy world.

Why is it photogenic? During the hours when the setting sun streams in, the susuki ears glowing in the backlight create a curtain of light. The orange × gold colors make a painting-like shot with no filter needed.

Best Time / Time of Day: Mid-October to early November / evening, the 4–5 o'clock hour Shooting Angle: Putting the susuki in the foreground from a low angle and including a wide expanse of sky gives outstanding depth! Access: About 50 minutes by bus bound for Sambonmatsu Station from "Haibara Station" on the Kintetsu Osaka Line

02. Odaigahara | A Fantastical Morning Scene Created by a Sea of Clouds and Virgin Forest

World Heritage Odaigahara has the charm of a fantastical superb view, as if standing above the clouds. The sea of clouds spreading in the early morning is truly "scenery in the heavens" itself.

Why is it photogenic? The mossy virgin forest wrapped in mist and the white of the sea of clouds create a fantastical contrast. The bluish atmosphere itself crafts a photogenic worldview.

Best Time / Time of Day: September to October / the 5–7 o'clock hour right after sunrise Shooting Angle: A panoramic composition capturing the sky and sea of clouds in a wide format from Masaki Pass is recommended Access: About 3 hours 25 minutes on the Nara Kotsu limited express bus (Odaigahara Line) from the south exit of Kintetsu "Yamato-Yagi Station" or the east exit of "Kashihara-Jingu-mae Station". Following a route change the bus no longer stops at Yamato-Kamiichi Station. The service runs seasonally, usually from late April to late November, and the Odaigahara Driveway is closed in winter (usually late November to late April)

03. Lake Muro | A Reflection Superb View with Beautiful Mountains Mirrored on the Water

Lake Muro, sitting quietly in eastern Nara, is a spot talked about among photography lovers for the beautiful reflection of the mountains mirrored on the lake surface.

Why is it photogenic? On calm, windless mornings, the lake surface becomes like a mirror. Its expression changes with the four seasons — fresh greenery, autumn foliage, snow scenery — making you want to visit again and again.

Best Time / Time of Day: The November autumn foliage season / windless times from 7–9 a.m. Shooting Angle: A symmetrical composition placing the reflection in half the frame from a low position by the lakeside is ideal Access: About 15 minutes by bus bound for Murou-ji from "Murouguchi-Ono Station" on the Kintetsu Osaka Line

04. Mt. Takami | Winter Superb-View Photos Created in a Silver World of Rime Ice

Mt. Takami, called the "Matterhorn of Kansai." The rime ice coloring the summit in winter is a hidden photogenic spot that creates a fantastical silver world.

Why is it photogenic? The contrast of the pure-white rime ice covering the tree branches and the blue sky is a breathtaking beauty. Though monotone, it has rich expression, and you'll find yourself pressing the shutter again and again.

Best Time / Time of Day: The deep-winter period of January to February / clear mornings Shooting Angle: A "framed composition" peering at the distant mountain range with rime ice as the frame is popular Access: About 2 hours by bus + walking from "Haibara Station" on the Kintetsu Osaka Line

05. The Terraced Rice Fields of Asuka | A Nostalgic Superb View Where Japan's Original Scenery Spreads

The terraced rice fields spreading across Asuka Village are a nostalgic yet beautiful spot, as if Japan's countryside scenery had been cut out just as it is.

Why is it photogenic? The water-filled terraced fields after rice planting line up as small mirrors reflecting the sky, beautiful as if grains of light were scattered. The terraced fields dyed orange at sunset are also dramatic.

Best Time / Time of Day: May to June (the water-filling period) or September (golden ears of rice) / evening Shooting Angle: Looking down from a high spot makes the terraced steps stand out, for a composition with depth Access: About 20 minutes by the Asuka loop bus from "Kashiharajingu-mae Station" on the Kintetsu Kashihara Line

Nara's charm is that every spot shows an entirely different expression depending on the season and time of day. Do visit and find your own "one shot."

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season and time of day: According to Soni Village's official information, the pampas grass of the Soni Plateau usually begins to put out its plumes in mid-September, and as autumn deepens it changes from silver to gold (the peak varies from year to year). Late afternoon backlighting is the shot to aim for. The sea of clouds at Odaigahara is an early-morning sight, and the rime ice on Mount Takami is best on clear mornings in midwinter.
• Opening hours / seasons: The Odaigahara Driveway is closed in winter (usually from late November to around late April). The Nara Kotsu limited express bus to Odaigahara runs seasonally, usually from late April to late November.
• Fees: Soni Kogen Noguchi Parking Lot, the closest to the Soni Plateau, charges 800 yen for ordinary cars and 200 yen for motorcycles (about 150 spaces).
• Access: For the Soni Plateau, take the Okuuda Wakuwaku Bus from Kintetsu Haibara Station to "Soni Murayakuba-mae", about 55 minutes; from the west exit of Kintetsu Nabari Station there are Mie Kotsu buses. For Odaigahara, take the Nara Kotsu limited express bus (Odaigahara Line) from the south exit of Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station or the east exit of Kashiharajingu-mae Station, about 3 hours 25 minutes. Due to a route change, the bus no longer stops at Yamato-Kamiichi Station. For Lake Murou, take a bus toward Murou-ji from Kintetsu Murouguchi-Ono Station.
• Parking: Soni Kogen Noguchi Parking Lot (about 150 spaces, paid) and the Soni Kogen Farm Garden parking lot (free of charge, a 30 to 40 minute walk to the plateau).
• Photography rules: At Odaigahara, the Nishi-Odai area is a "use-adjustment zone", where you must apply in advance for entry approval and attend a briefing at the visitor center, and the number of visitors per day is limited to 30 on weekdays and 50 on weekends and public holidays (no application is needed for Higashi-Odai). The terraced rice fields of Inabuchi are working farmland, that is, private property. Do not step onto the ridges between the paddies or into the fields, and do not park on the farm roads where you would obstruct agricultural work. On the Soni Plateau, stay on the boardwalks and footpaths and do not tread into the pampas grass meadow.
• Safety notes: Seeing the rime ice on Mount Takami means climbing in midwinter, and it requires full winter mountain equipment such as crampons, cold-weather clothing and a headlamp, as well as good physical fitness. Because it gets dark early, allow plenty of time for your descent. Odaigahara is one of Japan's rainiest areas, with frequent sudden changes in weather and dense fog, so rain gear and warm clothing are essential. The area around Kameyama Pass on the Soni Plateau is a steep slope, and after photographing sunsets or night skies you will be descending in the dark, so always carry a light.

Note: Peak seasons, bus operating periods and road closure periods vary from year to year. Before your visit, check the latest information from Soni Village, the Kinki Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment (for Odaigahara) and Nara Kotsu.

(Sources: Ministry of the Environment, Yoshino-Kumano National Park, "Odaigahara" and "Nishi-Odai Use-Adjustment Zone"; Ministry of the Environment, Kinki Regional Environment Office, "Winter Closure of the Odaigahara Driveway"; Nara Kotsu "Odaigahara / Mount Wasamata" special buses; Soni Village official website, "Soni Plateau"; Nara Prefecture official website, "Nara Prefecture Landscape Assets - Around Okameike Pond on the Soni Plateau"; Nara Prefecture official tourism website "Aoniyoshi Nara Tabi Net")