Tenkawa Village Sightseeing Page

The region spanning Odaigahara, Mount Omine and Osugi Valley, stretching across Nara and Mie Prefectures, has been recognized as a "UNESCO Eco-Park." It is acknowledged as a model area aiming for a "sustainable lifestyle" where humans coexist with nature. While the principle of World Natural Heritage is to preserve untouched nature, UNESCO Eco-Park initiatives focus on achieving harmony between ecological conservation and sustainable utilization (the coexistence of nature and human society).

The "UNESCO Eco-Park" consists of three zones: the "Core Area," the "Buffer Area," and the "Transition Area."
The "Core Area" is a region where diverse and beautiful ecosystems are preserved, characterized by primitive nature. It serves as the source of water, an invaluable place where life begins.
The "Buffer Area" surrounds the "Core Area" and plays a role in providing a buffer. It becomes an opportunity for contemplating the workings of nature through activities such as hiking and climbing.
The "Transition Area" is a region where people engage in various societal activities while benefiting from the blessings of nature. Practices such as traditional forestry, locally transmitted preserved foods, hot spring towns supported by worshippers’ faith, and the wisdom of living harmoniously with nature challenge us to question the meaning of "true prosperity."

The whole area of Tenkawa Village, blessed with beautiful natural features like mountains, clear streams, and valleys, has been designated as a UNESCO Eco-Park.

Blessed with towering mountain peaks, pristine rivers, and deep valleys, Tenkawa Village is a place of stunning natural beauty, with approximately one-fourth of its area designated as part of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park.
Particularly, the Mount Omine Range, often referred to as the "Roof of the Kinki Region," boasts the highest peak in the area, the Hakkyo-gatake (1915 meters), earning its place among Japan's One Hundred Famous Mountains.
Flowing from this mountain range, the clear streams have led to Tenkawa Village being selected as one of the "100 Villages of Water" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The Dorogawa Springs in the village have been chosen as one of the "Best 100 Waters" by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

　 Approximately 1 million years ago, the vast plains that once extended across the land gradually uplifted, rising to an elevation of about 2,000 meters. As evidence of this, flat terrains reminiscent of the ancient plains can still be observed on mountains such as Mount Sanjo-gatake, Mount Misen, and Okami-daira Plain.
In the Dorogawa region, limestone rocks pushed up from the seabed have given rise to numerous limestone caves and pristine waters rich in minerals. The vicinity of Mount Misen and Mount Hakkyo-gatake features unique vegetation, including the primeval forests of conifers such as fir and spruce which are survivors from the glacial period, and the habitat of the Oyama-renge (Siebold's magnolia), designated as a Natural Monument by the government.