Murōji and the Forest of Art
Where heritage and modernity come together

Murōji and the Forest of Art

Traditional relics and contemporary land art — from sanctuaries to Dani Karavan’s art forest

  • Duration: 9 hours (start at 9:00)
  • Price: On request
  • Departure: Hotel in Kyoto (pick-up and return)

Overview

The Murō Valley, nestled in the mountains of Uda District in Nara Prefecture, has remained a site of monastic mountain practice for more than twelve centuries. Amidst cedar groves stand the pavilions of Murō-ji Temple, an ancient sanctuary that preserves the cult of the dragon—the deity of water—while atop the hill spreads a forest of contemporary art. Far from the main tourist routes, time here still flows unhurriedly.

 

This private journey brings together the three faces of the valley in a single day: from the pavilions of Murō-ji—known as the “Koyasan for Women” and listed among Japan’s National Treasures—to the Murō Ryūketsu Shrine, where imperial envoys once prayed for rain, and onward to the Murou Art Forest, created by sculptor Dani Karavan. 

 

Itinerary: hotel in Kyoto → Murō-ji Temple → walk along the temple street → Murō Ryūketsu Shrine → lunch → Murou Art Forest → hotel in Kyoto

Key Features

  1. Muro-ji Temple — A mountain temple founded in the late 8th century by the monk Kenkei. Unlike Mount Koya, which was closed to women, Muro-ji welcomed female pilgrims and became known as the "Koyasan for women."
  2. Five-tiered pagoda — At approximately 16 meters tall, this is the smallest open-air pagoda in Japan. It is the oldest structure at Muro-ji and a national treasure.
  3. Temple Street — From the crimson arched bridge over the Muro River stretches an old street: teahouses, family shops. Here, the atmosphere of a provincial pilgrimage road has been preserved.
  4. Muro Ryuketsu Sanctuary — The ancient sanctuary is dedicated to Takaokami, the deity of water; during the Heian period, the imperial court sent envoys here to pray for rain. Even today, the dragon god dwells in the grotto.
  5. Murou Art Forest — The concept by sculptor Bukichi Inoue was brought to life by Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan. Spread across 7.8 hectares of hills are 12 works, with the entire park forming a single work of art.
  6. "Road of the Sun" — The bridge across the lake makes visible the axis 34°32′ N— the “Road of the Sun,” connecting Ise and Yamato. In the “Astronomy Tower,” mechanisms are embedded that follow the movement of the sun.

Itinerary

Day 1 — A Day in Murō — the Valley of the Dragon and the Forest of Art

  • 9:00 Departure from Kyoto
    Meeting with your guide in the hotel lobby and departure in a premium-class private car to the mountains of the Uda area in Nara Prefecture (approximately 2 hours / 110 km). Along the way, the guide will share insights about the ancient Yamato pilgrimage routes and the origins of esoteric Buddhism in Japan.
  • 11:00 Muroji Temple
    Crossing the scarlet arched bridge and ascending the moss-covered stone steps, you will see temple relics revealed among the cedars. You will leisurely explore the grounds and view up close a Buddhist sculpture from the early Heian period. From mid-April to early May, the temple is surrounded by blooming rhododendrons; in autumn—by scarlet maples.
  • 12:00 Murou Ryuketsu Sanctuary
    Visiting the sanctuary surrounded by giant cedars. If desired, you may proceed to the inner sanctuary—the Kissho Ryuketsu rock grotto, where, according to legend, the dragon god resides (descent by stairs along a mountain stream).
  • 13:00 Lunch
    Lunch at one of the region’s restaurants. Your choice: seasonal Nara cuisine, Buddhist shojin-ryori, Japanese beef, or mountain vegetable dishes.
  • 14:30 Murou Art Forest
    A walk from one artwork to another across the hills, stretching about 700 meters: the "Spiral Water Channel," where water flows downward in a swirl; the "Spiral Bamboo Grove"—a path descending underground and returning to the surface through a tunnel; islands in the middle of the lake. Here, the sculptor's materials are sunlight itself, wind, and water—this landscape is meant to be experienced on foot.
  • 16:00 Exit from the park
    Departure to Kyoto by private car.
  • 18:00 Kyoto
    Arrival at the Kyoto hotel.

THE DRAGON'S RAIN

Dragon Rain — Twelve Centuries of Water in Muro

In the Muro Valley, water has always been an object of prayer. At the end of the Nara period, monks prayed before the grotto where, according to legend, the dragon god lived—for the healing of the crown prince. When drought struck the Heian capital, the court sent envoys to Muro to ask for rain. For twelve centuries, the water dragon has remained the master of this valley.

In 2006, a spiral of running water was carved into the earth on the hill above the valley. Dani Karavan, continuing the vision of Muro native—sculptor Bukichi Inoue, chose not only stone and concrete as his materials, but also sunlight, wind, and water. For those who know the legend of the dragon grotto, the slender water channel winding down the slope may appear as a small dragon descending from the mountain.

Ancient prayer and contemporary sculpture: the forms are different, but what the people of this valley saw in the water is likely the same.

Practical Information

Start/ Duration
9:00 / around 9 hours
What’s included
• Premium-class private car with driver
• Guide accompaniment
• Entrance tickets

※ Meals and additional options are not included in the tour price.

※ Murou Art Forest Park is closed on Tuesdays and from December 29 to the end of February; the tour operates on other days outside the winter period.