• Come with us for a private one-day guided tour of the Taima district of Katsuragi!
• Taima-dera is a Buddhist temple founded in 612. We begin our visit there. We will see its famous Taima Mandala, a magnificent representation of Buddhist paradise. We will then take a walk on Taimadera Street, an old town that is tending to modernize.
• We will stop at the Kehayaza Sumo Museum. We will learn more about this iconic sport linked to the history and culture of Japan. We can even have a fun sumo experience!
• The end of our trip will take us to Chujodo Honpo, a traditional pastry shop near the station. We can take a gourmet break to enjoy the delicious chujo mochi, a sweet local specialty.
• After this day, you will learn more about Japanese history, sumo and Buddhism. You will also have had a good breath of fresh air in the Japanese countryside. Are you coming? We are waiting for you!

This temple was founded in 612 by Imperial Prince Maroko, brother of the famous Prince Shotoku while the villages of the region served as rotating capitals. The temple was then moved to its present location in 681 by Maroko’s grandson and served as the main temple for the now extinct Hosso sect. The main object of worship of the temple is the Yakushi, the healing Buddha but the most popular attraction is the Taima Mandala, a pictorial representation of paradise the Pure Land.