Nara Okuyama Driveway - Toll road leading to the summit of Mt. Wakakusa

Driving through the Kasugayama Primeval Forest offers stunning views of the changing seasons.

※Unauthorized reproduction of images on this page is prohibited

The Nara Okuyama Driveway is a 12-kilometer toll road located in the eastern part of Nara City, connecting Mt. Wakakusa, Mt. Kasuga, and Mt. Takamado. It traverses areas rich in nature, including the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, and provides views of the changing seasons.


Main Features: Three Courses


New Wakakusayama Course: A route that travels to and from the summit of Mt. Wakakusa, offering spectacular views of the Nara Basin. The sunset and night views from the summit of Mt. Wakakusa are counted among the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan" and are particularly popular.


Nara Okuyama Course: A trail that winds through the World Heritage Site "Kasugayama Primeval Forest" and leads down to Mt. Takamado.


Mt. Takamado Course: A path that circles Mt. Takamado, mentioned in the Manyoshu, and features historical sites like stone Buddha statues.

Related itineraries

Drive from Osaka! Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night to visit the ume (plum) grove in Tsukigase, Nara
Drive from Osaka! Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night to visit the ume (plum) grove in Tsukigase, Nara
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_14.html

General Information

Address
Zoushi-cho - Byakugoji-cho, Nara City, Nara
contact details
0742-26-7213(Shin-Wakakusayama Expressway Co., Ltd.)
Times
Shin-Wakakusayama Course: 8:00-23:00 (until 22:00 in winter)
Nara Okuyama Course: 9:00-17:00
Takamadoyama Course: 8:00-18:30
Access
About 8 minutes by car from JR Nara Station
Car Park
A free parking lot is available at the summit of Mt. Wakakusa.
Admission/Worship Fees (Individual)
Toll: The toll varies depending on the route and vehicle type, but it is around 1,720 yen for a regular car.
Website

Shin-Wakakusayama Expressway Official website

Remarks

・Nara Okuyama Drive Course (13km)
・New Wakakusa-yama Drive Course (7.4km)
・Takamado-yama Drive Course (10.6km)

Recommended

Recommended articles

Why are there deer in Nara Park? Learn how to interact with them, tourist etiquette, and historical background.
Why are there deer in Nara Park? Learn how to interact with them, tourist etiquette, and historical background.
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/deer
All About the Great Buddha
All About the Great Buddha
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/daibutsu
A selection of 21 recommended gourmet foods in Nara. Featuring a range from classics to local specialties and famous products, popular sweets!
A selection of 21 recommended gourmet foods in Nara. Featuring a range from classics to local specialties and famous products, popular sweets!
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/gourmet
Nara's World Heritage Sites
Nara's World Heritage Sites
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/world-heritage
All about the highlights of Naramachi, which has retained traces from Edo, Meiji, and post-war periods.
All about the highlights of Naramachi, which has retained traces from Edo, Meiji, and post-war periods.
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/naramachi
Takigi O-Noh: A mysterious world lit by firelight
Takigi O-Noh: A mysterious world lit by firelight
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/takigiono
Nara for first-timers - a thorough guide to Nara City, from history, highlights, and the popular, to hidden gems! Recommended sightseeing spots, gourmet food, access information, and more.
Nara for first-timers - a thorough guide to Nara City, from history, highlights, and the popular, to hidden gems! Recommended sightseeing spots, gourmet food, access information, and more.
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narashi
Find out all about the attractions of Nara Park, from recommended ways to go around it, to the gourmet highlights and accommodations nearby.
Find out all about the attractions of Nara Park, from recommended ways to go around it, to the gourmet highlights and accommodations nearby.
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narapark
The Four Seasons in Nara
The Four Seasons in Nara
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/seasons
A selection of 24 recommended gifts from Nara. Featuring famous, classic, and popular items from Nara!
A selection of 24 recommended gifts from Nara. Featuring famous, classic, and popular items from Nara!
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/souvenir

Nearby Sightseeing Spots

You Might Also Like

Drive from Osaka! Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night to visit the ume (plum) grove in Tsukigase, Nara
Drive from Osaka! Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night to visit the ume (plum) grove in Tsukigase, Nara
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_14.html
Takisaka no michi road
Takisaka no michi road
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10123.html
A selection of 21 recommended gourmet foods in Nara. Featuring a range from classics to local specialties and famous products, popular sweets!
A selection of 21 recommended gourmet foods in Nara. Featuring a range from classics to local specialties and famous products, popular sweets!
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/gourmet
Sarusawa-ike Pond
Sarusawa-ike Pond
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10110.html
Nara's World Heritage Sites
Nara's World Heritage Sites
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/world-heritage
Rokuen(The deer garden)
Rokuen(The deer garden)
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10088.html
Former Daijyo-in Temple Garden(Daijyo-in Temple Garden Heritage Center)
Former Daijyo-in Temple Garden(Daijyo-in Temple Garden Heritage Center)
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10090.html
Spring Deer Gathering 'Shikayose'/Tobihino
Spring Deer Gathering 'Shikayose'/Tobihino
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10335.html
Takigi O-Noh: A mysterious world lit by firelight
Takigi O-Noh: A mysterious world lit by firelight
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/takigiono
All Night Zazen Practice/Sansho-ji
All Night Zazen Practice/Sansho-ji
https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/spot/detail_10319.html
to top