Since mythological times, this area has been known as the birthplace of Japan. It is the home of Ise Jingu, which sits at the apex of Japan's indigenous Shinto religion. The home of sumo, of sake, of Shugendo (mountain asceticism), of giant Kofun (megalithic tombs). This is where you can sense the starting point of the politics and culture of today's Japan.
This sacred place extends to the Kii Peninsula and encapsulates many sacred mountains. In these forests, populated with cedar trees many hundreds of years old, native "kami" (gods) have been worshipped for more than two millennia. Ise Jingu is one of the most sacred and respected places in Japan. For Japanese people, Ise Jingu is “the home of Japan's heart”.
Nara sits in the center of the Kansai region. It is known worldwide for being home to Japan's oldest Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Nara became the center of Japanese politics and religion in the 8th century, meaning it is the site of many of Japan's most famous temples. The best known example, Hōryūji (Hōryū Temple), is a designated National Treasure and is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Of particular note is its five-storied pagoda: this is the world's oldest wooden structure and its beauty is an undoubted must-see.
