Hidden Gems of Osaka Kyoto Nara - Private Car Tour by Local Guide

This temple located in the mountain area between Osaka and Kyoto is often picked up on the instagram with its unrivaled scenaries made by thousands of Japanese Daruma dolls placed everywhere in the temple!

Experience the spirit of Shintoism which worships nature itself and contributed to Japan maintaining beautiful Japanese nature primitive since the ancient ages. Mitsushima Shrine is a very small local shrine located in a suburb city of urban Osaka, called Kadoma City. Although it's not even well-known by the local Osaka people out of small Kadoma City, you'll be amazed by the enormous lord of this shrine, one of the biggest camphor trees in Japan, worshipped for more than a thousand years. Its thickness is around 13 meters with a height of 25 meters. It's selected as a National Natural monument of Japan.

About halfway up the slopes of Mount Ikoma in Nara prefecture lies the beautiful temple complex of Hozan-ji, shrouded in incense smoke and intrigue. Dedicated to Kangiten, a Buddhist god of joy and prosperity, it’s particularly popular with those praying for success and luck in business. Despite the ease of access from Osaka and Nara cities, Hozanji Temple remains firmly off the tourist track. This means it retains an air of tranquility even during the holiday season, giving visitors the time and space to fully explore all the small nooks and interesting features of the complex.

Our finale of the tour is an area of Mt.Shigi's mount top. These isolated temples and shrines become absolutely dreamy and nostalgic at night time. The complex ways are nostalgically lit by stony lanterns of shrines. Don't miss the beautiful garden fully colored in autumn. You can even climb up to the sacred mount-top in 15-20 min by walking through the countless gates of shrines in the dark, like the old monks or ninjas in training.