NARA Tourist Guide

●Todaiji Temple

Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.

Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.

■Getting There

Todaiji is located in the northern part of Nara Park. It is about a 30 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or about a 45 minute walk from JR Nara Station. It can also be reached by bus from either station. Get off at Todaiji Daibutsuden from where it is a 5-10 minute walk to Todaiji's main building.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：14 mins to the Nara Todai-ji Temple. Cost is 2,550～yen
By bus：From Hannahorai Bus Stop, take the Nara-Kotsu bus number 160 Line to Kintetsu Nara Station Bus Stop, from where it is a 5 mins walk to the Todaiji Temple. 30 mins, the fare is 280 yen.
By train：Take the Kintetsu Nara Line Express from Gakuen-mae Station to Kintetsu Nara Station, from where it is a 5-10 minute walk to Todaiji's main building. 10 mins, the fare is 260 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
By JR Wakayama Line and Yamatoji Line：From Shizumi Station, take the JR Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line, get off at Nara  Station(32 mins, 410 yen). And then get on the Nara-Kotsu bus number 62 Line from JR Nara Station Bus Stop to Daibutuden-kasugataisya-mae Bus Stop(8 mins, 210 yen).

●Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine)

Kasuga Taisha is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods. Like the Ise Shrines, Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years for many centuries. In the case of Kasuga Taisha, however, the custom was discontinued at the end of the Edo Period.

Beyond the shrine's offering hall, which can be visited free of charge, there is a paid inner area which provides a closer view of the shrine's inner buildings. Furthest in is the main sanctuary, containing multiple shrine buildings that display the distinctive Kasuga style of shrine architecture, characterized by a sloping roof extending over the front of the building.

■Getting There

Kasuga Taisha is located in the east of Nara Park. It is about a 30 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or a 45 minute walk from JR Nara Station. Alternatively, it can be reached by bus from either station. Get off at the Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop (190 yen, frequent departures).

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：16 mins to the Kasuga Grand Shrine. Cost is 2,730～yen
By bus：From Hannahorai Bus Stop, take the Nara-Kotsu bus number 160 Line to Todaiji-Daibutuden･Kasugataisya-mae Bus Stop(30 mins, 280 yen), from where it is 14 mins walk to the Kasuga Grand Shrine.
By train：Take the Kintetsu Nara Line Express from Gakuen-mae Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. And get on the Nara-Kotsu Bus to Kasugataisya-honden Bus Stop. It can be reached by bus from either station. Get off at the Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop (190 yen, frequent departures).

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
From Shizumi Station, take the JR Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line, get off at Nara Station(38 mins, 410 yen). And get on the Nara-Kotsu Bus to Kasugataisya-honden Bus Stop. It can be reached by bus from either station. Get off at the Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop (190 yen, frequent departures).

●Heijo Palace (Nara Imperial Palace)

During most of the Nara Period (710-794), Nara served as the capital of Japan and was known as Heijo-kyo. The Heijo Palace extended about one kilometer wide and one kilometer long and served as the site of the emperor's residence and government offices. For its great historical and cultural importance, the palace site is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nara.

Although the palace once stood as the majestic center of the ancient capital, all of its original buildings were eventually lost, with the exception of a single hall that was moved in the 8th century and now stands at Toshodaiji Temple. When the capital was moved away from Heijo-kyo in 784, Heijo Palace and a large part of the city were abandoned as people flocked to the new capital. The temples on the outskirts of the former capital, however, retained their importance, and the city of Nara eventually resumed its growth around these temples, while the palace grounds were used for nothing but rice fields.

■Getting There

Heijo Palace is located a 15 minute walk east from Yamato-Saidaiji Station, which can be easily reached from Kintetsu Nara Station by Kintetsu trains (5 minutes, 210 yen, frequent departures).

Alternatively, the palace grounds can be reached by buses bound for Yamato-Saidaiji Station from both JR Nara Station (about 20 minutes, about 260 yen, every 30 minutes) and Kintetsu Nara Station (about 15 minutes, about 260 yen, every 30 minutes). The Excavation Site Exhibition Hall is located near Heijokyuseki bus stop, the Imperial Audience Hall is located near Sakicho bus stop, and the Nara Palace Site Museum is located near Nijocho bus stop.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：4 mins to the Heijo Palace. Cost is 1,200～yen

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
Take to the JR Wakayama Line from Shizumi Station to Oji Station(6 mins, 190 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Ikoma Line to Ikoma Station. And then take the Kintetsu Nara Line, get off at Yamatosaidaiji Station, from where it is a 10 mins walk.

●Horyuji Temple

Founded in 607 AD by Prince Shotoku, who is attributed with having introduced Buddhism to Japan, Horyuji is one of Japan's oldest temples. Its main hall, five story pagoda and central gate, all located in the temple's Saiin Garan (Western Precinct), are the world's oldest surviving wooden structures.

Next to the Saiin Garan is Daihozoin (or Great Treasure Hall), a newly-constructed hall built in 1998 to exhibit a part of the temple's historied art collection. On the other side of the temple grounds, the main attraction of the Toin Garan (Eastern Precinct) is the octogonally-shaped Yumedono, the Hall of Visions.

In 1993, Horyuji was designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Unlike many other historic attractions in Japan, Horyuji is wheelchair accessible and provides pamphlets in various foreign languages.

■Getting There

Horyuji is located about 12 km outside of central Nara.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
From Gakuen-mae Station, take the Kintetu Nara Line to Kintetsu Nara Station(10 mins, 260 yen), from where it is 16 mins walk to JR Nara Station. Get on the Yamatoji Line Rapid, and get off at Horyuji Station(11 mins, 220 yen). From there, it is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride (190 yen, departures every 20 minutes) to the temple.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
Take the JR Wakayama Line from Shizumi Station to Oji Station. Change trains to Yamatoji Line to Horyuji Station(25 mins, 210 yen). From there, it is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride (190 yen, departures every 20 minutes) to the temple.

●Yakushiji Temple

Yakushiji was constructed by Emperor Tenmu in the late 7th century for the recovery of the emperor's sick wife. One of Japan's oldest temples, Yakushiji has a strictly symmetric layout, with the main hall and lecture hall standing on a central axis, flanked by two pagodas.

The main hall was rebuilt in the 1970s after being destroyed by fire and houses a Yakushi trinity, a masterpiece of Japanese Buddhist art. The East Pagoda is the temple's only structure to have survived the many fires that have beset the temple over the years, and dates from 730. It appears to have six stories, but is in fact only truly three-storied, like the West Pagoda.

■Getting There

By bus

Buses number 70, 72 and 97 travel about three times an hour to the temple from JR Nara Station (15 minutes, 250 yen) and Kintetsu Nara Station (20 minutes, 250 yen). Buses 70 and 72 stop at Yakushiji bus stop when traveling to the temple, but stop at Yakushiji-higashiguchi bus stop when traveling in the direction of central Nara. Bus 97 always stops at Yakushiji-higashiguchi bus stop.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：10 mins to the Yakushiji Temple. Cost is 1,470～yen
By bus：From Kensogoiryo-center Bus Stop, take the Nara Kotsu bus number 39 Line to Amagatsuji Station Bus Stop(3 mins, 190 yen). Chang trains to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line at Amagatsuji Station, and get off at Nishinokyo Station.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
Take to the JR Wakayama Line from Shizumi Station to Oji Station(6 mins, 190 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Ikoma Line to Ikoma Station. And then take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamatosaidaiji Station, change trains to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line, and get off at Nishinokyo Station(55 mins, 440 yen).

●Toshodaiji Temple

Toshodaiji was founded in the year 759 by Ganjin, a Chinese priest who was invited to Japan by the emperor in order to train priests and improve Japanese Buddhism. Ganjin's influence in the introduction of Buddhism to Japan was monumental, and his arrival and teaching at Toshodaiji (which roughly translates to "temple of the one invited from Tang China") were important stages in that process.

Toshodaiji's main hall (kondo) was re-opened in late 2009 after being renovated over a period of almost ten years, during which the building was dismantled and reconstructed. The temple's lecture hall (kodo) was originally an administrative building located in the Nara Imperial Palace and was later moved to Toshodaiji. Today, it is the only surviving building of the former palace.

■Getting There

By bus
Buses number 70, 72 and 97 travel about three times per hour to the temple from JR Nara Station (15 minutes, 250 yen) and Kintetsu Nara Station (20 minutes, 250 yen). Buses 70 and 72 stop at Toshodaiji bus stop when traveling to the temple, but stop at Toshodaiji-higashiguchi bus stop when traveling in direction of central Nara. Bus 97 always stops at Toshodaiji-higashiguchi bus stop.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：9 mins to the Toshodaiji Temple. Cost is 1,200～yen.
By bus：From Kensogoiryo-center Bus Stop, take the Nara Kotsu bus number 39 Line to Amagatsuji Station Bus Stop(3 mins, 190 yen). Chang trains to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line at Amagatsuji Station, and get off at Nishinokyo Station.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
Take to the JR Wakayama Line from Shizumi Station to Oji Station(6 mins, 190 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Ikoma Line to Ikoma Station. And then take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamatosaidaiji Station, change trains to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line, and get off at Nishinokyo Station(55 mins, 440 yen).

●Kofukuji Temple

Kofukuji used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful family clan during much of the Nara and Heian Periods. The temple was established in Nara at the same time as the capital in 710. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings.

Today a couple of buildings of great historic value remain, including a five story pagoda and a three story pagoda. At 50 meters, the five story pagoda is Japan's second tallest, just seven meters shorter than the five story pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. Kofukuji's pagoda is both a landmark and symbol of Nara. It was first built in 730, and was most recently rebuilt in 1426.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai
By taxi：22 mins to the Kofukuji Temple. Cost is 2,280～yen.
By bus：From Hannahorai Bus Stop, take the Nara Kotsu bus number 160 Line to Kintetsu Nara Station Bus Stop(26 mins, 280 yen), from where it is a 5 mins walk to Kofukuji Temple.

From Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba
By train：Take the JR Wakayama Line from Shizumi Station to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line, and get off at Nara Station, from where it is 20 mins walk to Kofukuji Temple. Kofukuji can also be reached from JR Nara Station by clockwise running loop bus number 2 or any of the buses bound for Kasuga Taisha (7 minutes, 190 yen). Get off at Kencho-mae bus stop.

 

《Hotel Fine Group in Nara》

◆Hotel Fine Garden Nara Horai

To Hannahorai Bus Stop
By foot：8 mins from the hotel

To Kintetsu Nara Line Gakuen-mae Station
By Bus：From Hannahorai Bus Stop, get on the Nara-kotsu Bus Route 160 or 161 to Gakuenmae-eki(South) Bus Stop(20 mins, 240 yen).
By Taxi：7 mins to the hotel. Cost:1,200 yen.

To Kintetsu Nara Station
By Train：From Gakuen-mae Station, take the Kintetsu Nara Line Express to Kintetsu Nara Station(10 mins, 260 yen).
By Bus：From Hannahorai Bus Stop, take the Nara Kotsu bus number 23 Line to Kintetsu Nara Station Bus Stop(26 mins, 280 yen).

To Kyoto Station
Take the taxi from hotel to Yamato-Saidaiji Station(7 mins, 1290 yen), And Get on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line Limited Express to Kyoto Station(31 mins, 1070 yen).

To Kintetsu Osaka Namba Station
From Gakuen-mae Station, take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Osaka-Namba Station(26 mins, 440 yen).

To Kansai International Airport
By Airport Limousine for KIA：80 mins from Kintetsu Gakuen-mae Station north exit Bus Stop. The fare is 2050 yen.

◆Hotel Fine Garden Nara Kashiba

To JR Wakayama Line Sizumi Station
By foot：18 mins from the hotel
By Taxi：5 mins from the hotel. Cost is 750 yen.

To JR Oji Station
By JR Wakayama Line：7 mins to Shizumi Station. Cost is 190 yen.
By Taxi：11 mins to the hotel. Cost is 2,010 yen.

To JR Nara Station
By JR Wakayama Line and Yamatoji Line：From Shizumi Station, take the JR Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line, get off at Nara  Station. Traveling for 32 mins. Cost：410 yen.

To JR Kyoto Station
By train：From Shizumi Station, take the Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the Yamatoji Line to Nara Station. And the take the Nara Line Miyakoji Express to Kyoto Station(83 mins, 1,140 yen).

To JR Tennoji Station
By train：From Shizumi Station, take the Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line Rapid to Nara Station, and then get on the JR Tennoji Station(28 mins, 500 yen).

To Kansai International Airport
By train：From Shizumi Station, take the Wakayama Line to Oji Station. Change trains to the JR Yamatoji Line Rapid to Tennoji Station, and get on the Kansai-kuko Line Rapid to Kansai-Airport Station(91 mins, 1540 yen).

 

Mie and Gifu Tourist Guide

(Mie Area)

●Ise Shrines

The Ise Jingu consists of two shrines: the Outer Shrine (Geku), which is dedicated to Toyouke, the Shinto deity of clothing, food and housing, and the Inner Shrine (Naiku), which enshrines the most venerated deity Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. They are Shinto's most sacred shrines.

Naiku and Geku are located several kilometers apart from each other at the foot of densely wooded hills. Unlike most other Shinto shrines, the Ise Shrines are built in a purely Japanese architecture style which shows almost no influence from the Asian mainland. Naiku is believed to have been established in the 3rd century and Geku in the 5th century.

●Oharaimachi

Oharaimachi is the old approach to the Inner Shrine of Ise. Nearly one kilometer long, it is lined by many traditional style buildings, housing shops and restaurants. Some of the businesses found here have been serving pilgrims and tourists for several centuries.

Among the regional specialties available along Oharaimachi are akafuku ("red happiness"), a Japanese sweet made of mochi rice paste and red bean paste, and Ise Udon, thick udon noodles in a thicker than usual sauce.

Located about halfway down Oharaimachi is Okage Yokocho, a small district which recreates a townscape of past centuries (Edo Period to early Meiji Period). Completed in 1993, Okage Yokocho features various shops and restaurants.

■Getting There

The Outer Shrine is located in central Ise, about a 5 minute walk from Ise-shi Station, while the Inner Shrine stands several kilometers outside of the city center. The Inner Shrine can be reached by bus from Ise-shi Station or the Outer Shrine in about 15 minutes and 430 yen.
Both shrines can also be accessed by the CAN bus, which provides direct connections between the shrines, Ise-shi Station, Edo Wonderland, the Meoto Iwa Rocks and Toba.

A one day pass for the CAN bus costs 1000 yen and provides unlimited rides on the bus, as well as discounts on admission to various attractions. A two day pass is available for 1600 yen.
Oharaimachi is located just next to the Inner Ise Shrine, several kilometers outside of the city center. The Inner Shrine and Oharaimachi can be reached by bus from Ise-shi Station or the Outer Shrine in about 15 minutes and 420 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana
By train：From Kuwana Station, take the JR Rapid Mie to Ise-shi Station. Traveling for 69 mins, cost is 1,650 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka
By train：From Kintetsu Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Ise-Nakagawa Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Express, get off at Ise-shi Station. Traveling for 56 mins, cost is 1.330 yen.

From Hotel Fine Tsu
By train：From JR Takachaya Station, take the JR Kisei Main Line and Sangu Line to Ise-shi Station. Traveling for 49 mins, cost is 670 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅠ･Ⅱ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetu Yamada Line Express to Ise-shi Station. Traveling for 29 mins, cost is 490 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅢ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakahara Station, take the Kintetu Yamada Line to Matsusaka Station. Change trains to the Express, get off at Ise-shi Station. Traveling for 30 mins, cost is 440 yen.

●Amusement Park Nagashima Spaland

Nagashima Spaland, reputed to be the best amusement park for roller coasters in western Japan, is the main attraction of the resort. The park is filled with over forty rides, ranging from gentle ones suitable for children to outrageous ones for those looking to spend some exhilarating moments. Immediately noticeable even before entering the main gate is the Steel Dragon 2000, a gigantic roller coaster ride which spans the entire length of the park.

Also within the Nagashima Spaland grounds is a full-featured water park, named Joyful Waterpark. The water park is densely packed with water slides and swimming pools (including a wave pool), but is open only in the summer. Aside from the attractions themselves, Nagashima Spaland is tastefully designed such that the structures fit in well with their surroundings.

Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima is a large outlet mall located just beside Nagashima Spaland. It claims to offer 240 stores, the most among outlet malls in Japan. The shops include famous foreign and domestic boutiques, stores carrying world-renowned brand names, popular sporting goods, and a plethora of other shopping options.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana
By taxi：15 mins from the hotel, Cost is 3,110 yen～.

From Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka
By train：From Kintetsu Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Shiroko  Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Express, get off at Kuwana Station(36 mins, 560 yen). And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Kuwana Station Bus Stop to Nagashima-Rsort Bus Stopp(20 mins, 530 yen).

From Hotel Fine Tsu
By train：From JR Takachaya Station, take the JR Kisei Main Line to Tsu Station(9 mins, 200 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Express, get off at Kuwana Station(46 mins, 690 yen). And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Kuwana Station Bus Stop to Nagashima-Resort Bus Stop(20 mins, 530 yen).

 

●Nabana no Sato

Nabana no Sato, near Nagashima Onsen Resort in Mie Prefecture, is a theme park known for its flora, but also for its four month long illumination spectacular that runs from November to March. There are several different displays, including a light tunnel and a lit-up flower display.

The park is famous for its seasonal flowers throughout the year, and also hosts a flower festival in spring. This flower festival is also reputed to be one of the largest such festivals in Japan. From spring to summer, the park is home to a variety of flowers- Hydrangea, Tulips, Roses and Daffodils.

But the park perhaps attracts maximum visitors in the winter, when the park hosts a Winter Illumination event. The Winter illuminations are held from November to end of March.The illumination is one of the largest illumination events in Japan and as such attracts large crowds from all over the country.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana
By taxi：17 mins from the hotel, Cost is 3,030 yen～.

From Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka
By train：From Kintetsu Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Shiroko  Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Express, get off at Kuwana Station(36 mins, 560 yen). And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Kuwana Station Bus Stop to Nagashima-Rsort Bus Stopp(15 mins, 260 yen).

From Hotel Fine Tsu
By train：From JR Takachaya Station, take the JR Kisei Main Line to Tsu Station(9 mins, 200 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Express, get off at Kuwana Station(46 mins, 690 yen). And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Kuwana Station Bus Stop to Nagashima-Resort Bus Stop(15 mins, 260 yen).

●SUZUKA CIRCUIT(MOTOPIA)The Holy Land of Motorsports

SUZUKA CIRCUIT has proactively developed innovative leisure facilities and services in step with the times. At the root of all these activities lie our spirit of “hospitality” and the “mobility resort” concept.

As well as hosting the F1 Grand Prix, the Suzuka Circuit in Mie is home to Motopia a racing-themed amusement park.

Motopia is divided into 6 areas and has a total of 29 fun rides and attractions for all ages.

In Putti Town children can take a variety of mini vehicles for a spin or experience the children’s driving school. Children can also experience riding a motorcycle in the Motto Field area.

The park’s newest attraction is the Racing Theatre  where you can experience the sights and sounds of motor racing from the perspective of the driver from in front of a 19m-wide screen.

There are also Racing Karts where older children can reach up to speeds of 25km/h. For the more adventurous there are also Advance Karts that can reach speeds of up to 54 km/h; those without a driving license have to take a warm-up lesson.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Asahi Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Express, get off at Shiroko Station(40 mins, 440 yen). And then get on the Mie-Kotsu Bus at Shiroko Station Bus Stop to Suzuka Circuit Bus Stop(15 mins, 400 yen).

From Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka
By train：From Kintetsu Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Shiroko  Station（4 mins, 210 yen）. And get on the Mie-Kotsu Bus at Shiroko Station Bus Stop to Suzuka Circuit Bus Stop(15 mins, 400 yen).
By taxi：9 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,510 yen～.

From Hotel Fine Tsu
By train：From JR Takachaya Station, take the JR Kisei Main Line to Tsu Station(9 mins, 200 yen). Change trains to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Express, get off at Shiroko Station(20 mins, 300 yen). And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Shiroko Station Bus Stop to Suzuka Circuit Bus Stop(15 mins, 400 yen).

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅠ･Ⅱ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetu Nagoya Line Express to Shiroko Station(29 mins, 440 yen). Change buses to the Mie-Kotsu Bus Line at Shiroko Station Bus Stop to Suzuka Circuit Bus Stop(15 mins, 400 yen).

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅢ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakahara Station, take the Kintetu Yamada Line to Ise-Nakagawa Station. Change trains to the Express, get off at Shiroko Station. And then get on the Mie Kotsu Bus Line at Shiroko Station Bus Stop to Suzuka Circuit Bus Stop(15 mins, 400 yen).

●Yunoyama Hot Springs, Gozaisho Peak

Situated at the foot of Mount Suzuka, Yunoyama Onsen is a place to soak in a hot spring while looking at mountains. The both banks of the Mitaki River are lined with inns and hotels, many of which have open-air baths facing mountains. The alkaline radium water is said to contain elements that are good for skin.

Yunoyama Onsen is the first station of a ropeway to Mount Gozaisho. A 2,161-meter walk in the sky for about 12 minutes is an opportunity to enjoy a sweeping vista from the Ise Plain and Ise Bay to the Chita Peninsula. How about enjoying nature of the season on the peak and then hot spring below to heal both heart and body?

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Asahi Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line, get off at Yunoyama 　　 Onsen Station(49 mins, 470 yen). And then get on the Mie-Kotsu Bus from Kintetsu Yunoyama-Onsen Station Bus Stop to Sanko Yunoyama-Onsen Bus Stop(8 mins, 280 yen).

From Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka
By train：From Kintetsu Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Shiroko  Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Express to Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station. And take the Kintetsu Yunoyama-Onsen Line, get off at Yunoyama-Onsen Station(54 mins, 590 yen). And then get on the Mie-Kotsu Bus from Kintetsu Yunoyama-Onsen Station Bus Stop to Sanko Yunoyama-Onsen Bus Stop(8 mins, 280 yen).

●Sakakibara Onsen(Hot Spring)

The Sakakibara-onsen Hot Spring is located about thirty minutes from the Tsu city's urban area. The hot spring, which was mentioned by Sei Shonagon in her book of observations and musings entitled the "Makura-no-soshi (The Pillow Book)," can even be enjoyed as a pleasant daytrip from the city. Nearby are more hot springs, such as Inokura and Hinotani, and other hidden sightseeing spots. The world-famous brand beef called "Matsusaka beef" is from Matsusaka city located next to Tsu city.

Getting There

From Hotel Fine Tsu
By train：From Tsu Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Express to Ise-Nakagawa  Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Osaka Line, get off at Sakakibara-Onsen  Station. Traveling for 30 mins, cost is 440 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅠ･Ⅱ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetsu Osaka Line to Sakakibara-Onsenguchi Station. Traveling for 13 mins, cost is 300 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅢ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakahara Station, take the Kintetu Yamada Line to Ise-Nakagawa Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Osaka Line, get off at Sakakibara-Onsenguchi Station. Traveling for 42 mins, cost is 350 yen.

 

●TOBA AQUARIUM

Toba Aquarium is one of the largest aquaria in Japan. It is located along the waterfront of Toba Bay, just next to the Mikimoto Pearl Island.

The aquarium consists of twelve zones, which introduce animals from local and distant oceans, seas and rivers. Among the animals kept are a variety of fish, jelly fish and crabs as well as amphibians, reptiles, sea lions, seals, sea birds and otters.

■Getting There

The Toba Aquarium is a 5-10 minute walk from Toba Station, served by JR and Kintetsu trains. The train trip from Ise-shi Station to Toba takes 15 minutes and costs 240 yen by JR and 330 yen by Kintetsu. There are one to two departures per hour on each line.

Toba is also directly connected with Nagoya by JR rapid trains and Kintetsu limited express trains and with Osaka and Kyoto by Kintetsu limited express trains.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅠ･Ⅱ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetsu Yamada Line Limited Express to Toba Station. Traveling for 34 mins, cost is 1,620 yen.

From Hotel Fine Garden MatsusakaⅢ
By train：From Kintetsu Ise-Nakahara Station, take the Kintetu Yamada Line to Ise-Nakagawa Station. Change trains to the Kintetsu Limited Express, get off at Toba  Station. Traveling for 37 mins, cost is 1,160 yen.



(Gifu Area)

●Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle was initially constructed in 1537, and its donjon is one of Japan's oldest extant. It is one of only twelve original castles left in Japan (i.e. castles that have survived intact the natural disasters and wars since the end of the feudal age in 1867). Inuyama Castle is also one of only five castles whose main keeps have been designated as national treasures. The other four are Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Hikone Castle and Matsue Castle.

The castle stands on top of a small hill next to Kiso River. The main keep's structure is built almost entirely with wood and rocks, and its interior is beautifully preserved and retains an authentic feel without modern additions that reconstructed castles sometimes include, such as elevators.

■Getting There

The castle can be reached in a 15-20 minute walk from either Inuyama Station or Inuyama-Yuen Station, the latter being a little bit closer. Both stations are served by Meitetsu Railways.

From Hotel Fine Garden Gifu
By train：From Shin-Kano Station, take the Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line to Inuyama-Yuen Station(22 mins, 350 yen), from where it is 11 mins walk to the Inuyama Castle.

●Meiji Mura

Meiji Mura is one of Japan's several outstanding open air museums, displaying over sixty buildings from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). This era followed the end of Japan's feudal age, and its architecture is characterized by a strong influx of Western architecture.

Few of the buildings constructed in the Meiji Period survive in Japan today, as most of them were destroyed during the war or lost to city redevelopment. A collection of representative buildings from across the country have been relocated to Meiji Mura in order to preserve the period's architectural and cultural heritage. Among them are the entrance hall of Tokyo's old Imperial Hotel and Kyoto's St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Gifu
By train：From Shin-Kano Station, take the Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line and Meitetsu Inuyama Line to Inuyama Station(22 mins, 350 yen). Get on the Community Bus at Meitetsu Inuyama Station East Gate Bus Stop, get off at Meijimura Bus Stop.

●Gero Onsen(Hot Springs)

In the Edo period, Gero Onsen was referred to as one of Japan's three best onsen by the Confucian poet Hayashi Razan. While the town may now be quite a bit more urbanized than back then, the waters have retained that special quality which has made them so famous.

Interestingly, the name Gero (lit. "lower bath") is pronounced the same as the slang term for "vomit". This has not hurt its popularity among Japanese tourists, however, with more than one million visitors every year, who continue to rate it as one of the best hot spring resorts in Japan.

Gero is located between Nagoya and Takayama, about an hour south of Takayama. This makes it a convenient stopover, or an attractive alternative to stay during the Takayama Festival, when lodging is difficult to find in Takayama.

■Getting There

From Hotel Fine Garden Gifu
By train：From JR Naka Station, take the Takayama Main Line to Mino-ota Station. Change trains to the Limited Express Wide-View HIDA, get off at Gero Station. Traveling for 102 mins, cost is 3,190 yen.

 

●HIDA TAKAYAMA and Old Town

Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. To differentiate it from other places named Takayama, the city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. It now ranks as one of the prime candidates among travelers wishing to add a rural element into their itineraries.

Takayama's old town has been beautifully preserved with many buildings and whole streets of houses dating from the Edo Period (1600-1868), when the city thrived as a wealthy town of merchants.

The southern half of the old town, especially the Sannomachi Street, survives in a particularly pretty state with many old homes, shops, coffee houses and sake breweries, some of which have been in business for centuries. The shops in the area are typically open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.

■Getting There

Takayama's old town can be reached in a ten minute walk from Takayama Station.

From Hotel Fine Garden Gifu
By train：From JR Naka Station, take the Takayama Main Line to Mino-ota Station. Change trains to the Limited Express Wide-View HIDA, get off at Takayama Station. Traveling for 148 mins, cost is 4,940 yen.
 

《Hotel Fine Group in Mie & Gifu》

◆Hotel Fine Garden Kuwana

To Kintetsu Railway Nagoya Line Ise-Asahi Station
By taxi：10 mins from the hotel

To JR Kansai Main Line Asahi Station
By taxi：13 mins from the hotel

To Kuwana Station
By taxi：17 mins from the hotel

To Nagoya Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：16 mins from Kuwana Station to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Cost is 950 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：123 mins from Kuwana Station. Cost is 3,730 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Airport Limousinee：Get on the Kuwana Station Bus Stop to Chubu Centrair International Airport. Traveling for 55 mins. Cost：1500 yen.

◆Hotel Fine Garden Suzuka

To Station：Kintetsu Nagoya Line Isoyama Station
By foot：11 mins from the hotel

ToYokkaichi Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line：25 mins from Isoyama Station. Cost is 400 yen.

To Nagoya Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Isoyama Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Shiroko Station. Change to the Limited Express train, get off at Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Traveling for 48 mins. Cost is 1,780 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Isoyama Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Tsu Station. Change train to the Limited Express, get off at Osaka Namba Station. Traveling for 106 mins, Cost is 3,120 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line and Meitetsu Line：From Isoyama Station, get on the Kintetu Nagoya Line to Shiroko Station. Change trains to the Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station, and transfer to the Meitetsu Airport Express Train "μ- SKY" at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, and get off at Centrair Japan Intl Airport.

◆Hotel Fine Tsu

To Bus Stop：Mie kotsu Bus Oroshicenter-mae Bus Stop
By foot：5 mins to the hotel.

To Station：JR Kisei Main Line Takachaya Station
By foot：14 mins from the hotel
By taxi：12 mins to the hotel. Cost：870 yen～

To JR Tsu Station    
By JR Kisei Main Line：14 mins from Takachaya Station. Cost is 200 yen.
By Bus：Take the Miekotsu Bus at Oroshicenter-mae Bus Stop, get off at Tsu-ekimae(Tsu Station) Bus Stop. Traveling for 19 mins. Cost：370 yen.

To Nagoya Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Tsu Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Traveling for 63 mins. Cost is 1,010 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Urban Rapid-Line：From Tsu Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Urban Rapid to Osaka Namba Station. Traveling for 81 mins, Cost is 3,000 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Airport Line High-Speed Boat：Take the Miekotsu Bus Line from Tsu-ekimae Bus Stop to Tsu Nagisamachi Airport Access Port Bus Stop(10 mins, 220 yen). Get on the Airport High-Speed Boat at Shin-Nagisamachi Port Terminal, and get off at Chubu Centrair International Airport. Traveling for 45 mins. Cost：2,470 yen.

◆Hotel Fine Garden Matsusaka

To Mie Kotsu Kobunae Bus Stop
By foot：8 mins to the hotel.

To JR Kisei Main Line Rokken Station
By taxi：10 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,300 yen～

To Kintetsu Railway Yamada Line Ise-Nakahara Station
By taxi：10 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,500 yen～

To Kintetsu Railway Yamada Line Ise-Nakagawa Station
By taxi：10 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,300 yen～
By Miekotsu Bus：Get on the Miekotsu Bus or Matsusaka City Community Bus Line from Kobunae Bus Stop to Ise-Nakagawa Station East Gate Bus Stop. Traveling for 25 mins. Cost is 200 yen.

To Matsusaka Station                      
By taxi：17 mins from the hotel. Cost is 2,630 yen～

To Nagoya Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Traveling for 60 mins. Cost is 2,040 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Osaka Namba Station. Traveling for 86 mins. Cost is 2,880 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line and Meitetsu Line：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Change trains to the Meitetsu Airport Express Train "μ- SKY" at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, and get off at Centrair Japan Intl Airport. Traveling for 98 mins. Cost is 3,270 yen.

 

◆Hotel Fine Garden Matsusaka Ⅱ

To Minami-Onoe Bus Stop
By foot：7 mins from the hotel.

To JR Kisei Main Line Rokken Station
By taxi：12 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,510 yen～ 

To Kintetsu Railway Yamada Line Ise-Nakagawa Station
By taxi：14 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,670 yen～
By Bus：Get on the Matsusaka City Community Bus Line from Minami-Onoe Bus Stop to Ise-Nakagawa Station East Gate Bus Stop. Traveling for 17 mins. Cost is 200 yen.

To Matsusaka Station
By taxi：17 mins from the hotel. Cost is 2,630 yen～

To Nagoya Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Traveling for 60 mins. Cost is 2,040 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Osaka Namba Station. Traveling for 86 mins. Cost is 2,880 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line and Meitetsu Line：From Ise-Nakagawa Station, take the Kintetu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Change trains to the Meitetsu Airport Express Train "μ- SKY" at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, and get off at Centrair Japan Intl Airport. Traveling for 98 mins. Cost is 3,270 yen.

◆Hotel Fine Garden Matsusaka Ⅲ

To Mikumochiikishinkokyoku Bus Stop
By foot：10 mins from the hotel.

To JR Kisei Main Line Rokken Station
By taxi：12 mins from the hotel. Cost is 950 yen～
By foot：23 mins from the hotel.

To Kintetsu Railway Yamada Line Ise-Nakahara Station
By taxi：10 mins from the hotel. Cost is 1,350 yen～.

To Matsusaka Station
By Matsusaka City Community Bus Mikumo-Matsusaka Line：27 mins from the Mikumochiikishinkokyoku Bus Stop. Cost is 100 Yen.
By JR Kisei Main Line：6 mins from JR Rokken Station. Cost is 190 yen～
By JR taxi：17 mins from the hotel. Cost is 2,310 yen～

To Nagoya Station
By JR Nagoya Kisei Main Line Limited Express：82 mins to Matsusaka Station. Cost：1,970 yen.

To Osaka Namba Station
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express：From Matsusaka Station, take to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Osaka Namba Station. Traveling for 96 mins. Cost is 2,880 yen.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Kintetsu Nagoya Line and Meitetsu Line：From Matsusaka Station, take the Kintetu Nagoya Line Limited Express to Kintetsu Nagoya Station. Change trains to the Meitetsu Airport Express Train "μ- SKY" at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, and get off at Centrair Japan Intl Airport. Traveling for 111 mins. Cost is 3,810 yen.

 

◆Hotel Fine Garden Gifu

To AEON MALL Kakamigahara Bus Stop
By foot：1 min from the hotel

To Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line Shin-Kano Station
By foot：11 mins from the hotel.

To Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line Shin-Naka Station or JR Takayama Line Naka Station
By foot：18 mins from the hotel.
By taxi：6 mins from the hotel. Cost is 730 yen～
By Gifu bus：From AEON MALL Kakamigahara Bus Stop, take the Gifu Bus (Community Buss) AEON MALL Kakamigahara Line to Shin-Naka Station North Gate Bus Stop(10 mins, 100 yen).

To Gifu Station
By JR Takayama Main Line：10 mins from JR Naka Station.
By Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line：13 mins from Shin-Kano Station.
By Gifu【Rapid Bus Service】Kakamigahara Line AEON MALL：From AEON MALL Kakamigahara Bus Stop, take the Gifu【Rapid Bus Service】Kakamigahara Line to Kakamigahara Bus Stop to Meitetsu-Gifu Bus Terminal. Traveling for 35 mins. Cost is 210 yen.

To Nagoya Station
By Train：From JR Naka Station, take the JR Takayama Main Line to JR Gifu Station. Change trains to the Tokaido Main Line Special Rapid, get off at JR Nagoya Station.

To Chubu Centrair International Airport
By Train：From Meitetsu Shin-Kano Station, take the Meitetsu Kakamigahara  Line to Meitetsu Gifu Station. Change trains to the Meitetsu Airport Express Train "μ- SKY", and get off at Chubu Centrair International Airpor. Traveling for 82 mins. Cost is 1,950 yen.