Day Tour from Osaka: Muroji Temple, the Dragon Shrine, and the Art Forest

Tucked away in the serene forests of Nara, the Murou area offers a profound journey through Japan’s spiritual and creative evolution. The journey begins at Muroji Temple, an ancient sanctuary nestled into a steep mountainside, famously known as the "Women's Koya" for its historic openness to female pilgrims and its elegant five-storied pagoda. Just a short distance away lies the atmospheric Muroryuketsu Shrine, where a deep sense of primeval mystery surrounds the sacred "Dragon Hole" cave, long revered as the residence of a powerful water deity. In contrast to these ancient sites is the Murou Art Forest, a sprawling outdoor gallery designed by sculptor Dani Karavan. Here, minimalist architectural installations harmonize with the natural topography, inviting visitors to physically walk through a landscape where the boundaries between contemporary art, earth, and sky completely dissolve.

Join us for a full-day walking tour that blends iconic landmarks, delicious eats, and nice train ride through the Japanese countryside. This tour starts from Tsuruhashi Station. Please be aware we will be walking up to 12,000 steps.

Highlights

• The "Women’s Koya": Explore the historic grounds of Muroji Temple, an ancient mountainside sanctuary famous for its welcoming atmosphere and its iconic five-story pagoda—the smallest of its kind in the open air.
• Ancient Dragon Lore: Step into the mystical cedar groves of Muroryuketsu Shrine, a powerful "power spot" dedicated to a water deity, featuring the sacred cave where a dragon is said to reside.
• Immersive Landscape Art: Wander through the Murou Art Forest, a massive outdoor installation by Dani Karavan where minimalist structures and sun-drenched paths transform the natural terrain into a living gallery.
• Architectural Harmony: Experience the striking contrast between traditional Buddhist architecture, Shinto simplicity, and modern geometric designs, all unified by the lush, rolling hills of Nara.

Description

The tour starts at Osaka's Tsuruhashi Station in front of the ticket machines and near the gates of the JR Line (West Gate). See more details about the starting location at the bottom of the page.

Once we all meet up we will hop on a train to Muro. The ride is goes through beautiful rural scenery before arriving at our destination. You will be able to stretch your legs as we transfer to a short bus before arriving in the middle of the mountains and the first location!

Muroryuketsu Shrine stands as a profound testament to ancient nature worship, serving for centuries as a sacred site dedicated to a powerful water deity believed to control the life-giving rains. It is historically significant for its connection to the "Ryuketsu" or Dragon Hole, a nearby limestone cave where the dragon god is said to reside and to which imperial messengers were once sent to perform rain-making rituals during periods of drought. Today, the shrine remains a revered "power spot," drawing visitors who seek to experience the primeval atmosphere of its towering cedar groves and the deep-rooted spiritual traditions that predate modern architectural Shintoism.

The next stop is Muroji Temple, which was established in the late 8th century as a rare sanctuary that welcomed female practitioners. During this era many temples, such as the sacred peaks of Mount Koya, were strictly closed to women. The temple is celebrated for its harmonious integration with the rugged forest landscape, housing a collection of exquisite Heian-period Buddhist statues and the smallest outdoor five-storied pagoda in Japan. Its historical significance lies in its role as a center for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism that prioritized spiritual accessibility, earning it the enduring and affectionate nickname "Nyonin Koya," or the Mount Koya for women.

Afterwards its time for a break and lunch! You can wander the charming small village that is around the temple and try some of the local specialty of yomogi-mochi or mugwort rice cakes. There are also somen restaurants that are especially refreshing during the hot summer months.

After lunch we will walk to the next stop, the Murou Art Forest. The Murou Art Forest is a sprawling outdoor gallery designed by the renowned sculptor Dani Karavan, where the natural topography of a former landslide site has been transformed into a series of monumental geometric installations. By inviting visitors to walk along its sun-aligned paths and minimalist structures, the park creates a unique dialogue between the rolling Nara landscape and contemporary environmental art.

As we head back to the station we will make one final stop near Onodera Temple. Nearby are The Muroji Magai-butsu features a colossal, 13-meter-tall image of Miroku Bosatsu carved directly into a sheer rock face along the river, standing as a powerful spiritual gateway to the sacred Murou region. This ancient "cliff Buddha" was created in the early 13th century and reflects the deep-seated tradition of mountain asceticism that flourished here.

After a full day of walking around the mountains and forests of deep Nara it is time to go home. We will head back on the train to Tsuruhashi Station. Feel free to either chat up your guide or take a nap on the ride!

Once you return back to the station the tour is finished. A day full of history, beauty and travel concludes back in Osaka where you can eat and drink and enjoy the best of what Osaka has to offer!

Meetup Points

Tsuruhashi Station JR Line (West Gate) @ 08:50 (鶴橋駅)

Meet-Up Location: Tsuruhashi Station JR Line (West Gate) @ 8:50

Please meet us at the JR Line (West Gate) of Tsuruhashi Station Station next to the ticket machines at 8:50. It is very near the "Hakuundai Tsuruhashi-ekimae" restaurant if you are looking for something other than locations in the station for directions.

If you are coming by the Kintetsu or JR lines be careful not to exit through the "transfer gates." It is very easy to do so and the station staff may give you a good scolding if you do.

Let us know if you're having trouble—we’re happy to help guide you in real time if needed. See you soon!

Notes

• The times listed in the itinerary are for reference only and the actual tour may vary depending on actual conditions such as weather and trains.
• This is a walking tour that takes you outdoors for hours. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing. Please bring sunshade and rain protection if necessary.
• If you feel uncomfortable during the tour, please let us know. We will do our best to help you.
• This tour includes free time. We will make sure you know when and where to meet again. If you get lost or forget your meeting point, please call us immediately.

Tour Availability Disclaimer

• All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Included

• Entrance fee for Muroji Temple
• Entrance fee for the Muro Art Forest
• Train tickets required for the tour 
• Bus fares required for the tour
• Guided tour with an English speaking guide

Excluded

• Food and drinks
• Transportation to/from the tour meeting points
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.
• In winter the temperatures will be below 10℃ at the high , and in the morning and evening may be close to or below 0℃. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and cold conditions. There may also be snow and ice on the road/sidewalk, and so you should take care to not slip by preparing the correct shoes for such conditions.
• There will be free time along the way for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.