Mount Wakakusa

若草山

A small grassy hill with three round tiers. The summit is reached in about half an hour and offers views over all of Nara, with deer grazing on the slopes. Its sunsets and night views are famous.

Mount Wakakusa lies east of Nara Park, between Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. It rises 342 meters above sea level and is also called Mikasa-yama, because its three overlapping round tiers look like a stack of hats. The whole hill is covered in short grass with almost no trees, and deer often graze peacefully on the slopes. It is the most open space in Nara Park. Enter from the north or south foot entrance after buying a ticket (150 yen). Following the grassy path up to the first tier takes about 15 minutes, and from there you can look down on the great roof of the Daibutsu-den at Todai-ji and the Nara Basin. Continuing to the summit of the third tier takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The top has an ancient burial mound called the Uguisuzuka Kofun, and the 360-degree view reaches toward Mount Ikoma and the direction of Heijo-kyo. At dusk, when the sun sets behind Mount Ikoma and the lights of central Nara come on, the hill is counted among the 'Three Great Night Views of New Japan'. The summit is open until 17:00. To see the night view you must drive up the Nara Okuyama Driveway to the summit parking lot, or view it from below during the winter closure. Every year on the fourth Saturday evening of January, the Wakakusa Yamayaki (grass burning) takes place. Fireworks go off first, then the dry grass of the entire hill is set alight, and the flames light up the night sky. It is Nara's grandest winter event, best viewed from Tobi-no-hi Field and the Kasugano Park Area. Notes: the slopes are steep and the grass is slippery, so wear sneakers. Winds are strong on top. The mountain is closed in winter (mid-December to mid-March), and no entry is allowed. Apart from picnic mats, nothing is allowed on the lawn. There are no toilets or shops at the summit. Deer will follow anyone carrying food up the mountain, so keep your snacks put away.

Mount Wakakusa

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby