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

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.

※ 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.