Claiming to be the oldest road in Japan. The Yamanobe no michi is a trail that runs through from north to south in the foothills east of the Yamato basin. The trail is very poular with walkers and provides a good day out with lots to explore along the way. Ancient tombstones, shrines, burial mounds, fields, orhards and vegetable stalls are dotted along the path. The trail actually starts in fronth of Tenri city shopping street and you have to walk uｐ the street and past the headquarters of the world famous Tenri-kyo religion to get out onto the real path.
It is worth stopping and having a look at the Tenri Kyo temple.. This is explorers Japan and you'll be hard pressed to find any tourists on the Yamabe no michi.
Be prepared for a good 4 hour walk mostly on small paths but occasionally changing to cobbled roads and the inevitable tarmac.
Great Nature and scenery can be had all year round and following the path is pretty easy .. wooden signs point out the way and if in doubt follow someone else going the same way!
Whilst never really being too far away from the modern world it is possible to feel some history whilst doing this walk. For a cheap day out and a ramble along the mountains of nara you can't go wrong.
links
http://www.kansaiscene.com/2006_04/html/getaway.shtml
www.pref.nara.jp/nara/kaido/
