Mitarai Valley

Mitarai Valley in Nara's remote Tenkawa area runs for about 7 kilometers along a river gorge with turquoise water flowing over polished boulders. A maintained trail with suspension bridges and wooden walkways follows the riverbank, making the scenery accessible without technical skill. Summer brings hikers who wade in the cool shallows, and autumn turns the maple and beech canopy above the water into a dense layer of red and orange. The trail can be combined with nearby Tenkawa Daibenzaiten Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of water and music. Getting here takes effort given the mountain location, but that keeps the crowd manageable even in peak season.