Visit Nara

This sweeping plateau, a beautifully vivid green in summer, is covered in pampas grass which turns a golden color in autumn. Short hiking trails leading to the top of Mt Kuroso offer spectacular views over the valley and make for a fun family walk. If visiting in autumn, the best time to shoot pictures is just before sunset as the grass seems to be ablaze and the area resembles the final scenes of Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Nearby is Okame-no-Yu Onsen for post-hike relaxing.