Mt Wakakusa

Mt Wakakusa (Japanese: 若草山) rises gently above the eastern edge of Nara, a broad grass‑covered hill with open slopes and rounded form. It's modest in height, yet its position above Nara Park makes it one of the city’s most iconic landscapes, rising above temples, pagodas and the ancient capital’s wide lawns. The mountain’s topography involves long grassy inclines, scattered groves of oak and cherry and a summit ridge that opens into a beautiful panorama over the old city and the Yamato basin.

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I did this hike in the early morning before another activity in the ancient city. There are several walking courses, but the longer hike from near Tōdai‑ji that I did began less as a mountain walk but more a journey through the cultural heart of Nara. Starting near the great temple’s grounds, the route passes through the open lawns of Nara Park, where deer wander among the ancient trees. The path climbs gradually toward the base of Wakakusa, weaving through forested pockets and open meadows before reaching the lower slopes. 

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The trail follows the broad hillside, climbing through forest and then into open grassland. Because Wakakusa is largely treeless on its upper slopes, the panorama emerges early. The summit ridge is spacious and calm, a long grassy crest where hikers can walk freely and take in the wide horizon. From the top, the view is one of the most generous in the Kansai region with the temples and streets of old Nara visible below.

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)