Experience the essence of Japanese religious history in three (two) days!

This tour is designed for participants to experience the 1,500-year history of religion in Japan. Nara and Kyoto were the capitals of the unified ancient nation. Nara actively imported culture from the East Asian continent, whereas Kyoto saw the blossoming of indigenous culture. The Hall of the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple in Nara and Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto for worshipers of Kannon are among the most prominent structures in those two areas. At the same time, a mountain religion originated in Yoshino, south of Nara, and became famous across the nation as a center of mountaineering asceticism in the medieval period. At the end of the early modern era, a woman founded Tenrikyo in a village near Nara, which became a model for new religions in modern Japan. A tour to Kyoto, Nara and Yoshino, which have been designated by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, allows one to follow the footprints of Japanese religious history. In addition, staying at Tenrikyo's church lodging and enjoying cherry blossom viewing to the full are a privilege that is offered only to IAHR participants.