Head to the hills for a scenic, spiritual trek near Nara. Follow the path of Japan's oldest road, winding through forests and rice paddies. Visit ancient Shinto shrines and tranquil Buddhist temples along the way, experiencing the harmonious blend of cultural heritage and natural wonders that make Japan so special. Continue to walk away from town, passing by the impressive Tenri-kyo Shinto-sect church along the way to the trail. The rest of the day's trek is along Yamanobe-no-michi, a section of the road that once linked Nara to Tokyo. Referred to as Japan's oldest road, the trail features dozens of historic shrines and ruins. Two of the highlights of the trail are Chogaku-ji Temple and Omiwa Shrine. At Chogaku-ji, stop to admire the Buddhist temple's beautiful surroundings. Depending on the season this may be cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, maple leaves or other colourful trees. Omiwa Shrine, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, is a fabulous place to learn about Shinto culture. Discover why it is referred to by locals as Japan's first shrine and how it served as a sacred ground for various philosophical religious groups.