The eastern region of Nara Prefecture is home to the scenic nature of Yamato Plateau. Among them, we will introduce cycling in Yamazoe Village, Nara Prefecture, where you can enjoy a wide variety of cycling within a short distance.

Starting from Garden Café Manten Hiroba

The garden café “Manten Hiroba” is located in a quiet area in Nara City, 8km north of Hari Interchange on Meihan National Highway (about 12minutes by car). This is the base from which we will tour Yamazoe Village.

The social welfare corporation that operates the café is so cyclist-friendly that it holds cycling events. Bike racks are equipped.

Let’s get pedaling!

Enjoying the Lakeside: Nunome Dam

From Manten Hiroba, a 5-km ride downhill will take you to Nunome Dam (Lake Nunome).
First, visit Togakushi Shrine standing by the lakeside. Dozens of Togakushi shrines are said to be scattered throughout the area from the mountains in the eastern part of Nara City to Yamazoe Village.

Turning around from the torii gate and going down a little, you can see the surface of the lake of Nunome Dam.

The 10-km course along the lakeside of Nunome Dam used to host the “Tour of Japan Nara Stage.”

You can also get a “dam card” at the dam management office.
If you cross the weir from in front of the management office, you will find Nunome Mahoroba Park. If you go up to the roof of the building, you can take pictures of the lake surface and bicycles together, which is very attractive.
On a clear, calm day, you can see a beautiful reflection of the sky and trees on the surface of the lake.

In spring, the lake is also known for the many cherry trees that bloom along its shores.
After riding about 10km clockwise along the lakeside and returning to the prefectural road, you will find a row of vending machines. This is a good place to recharge your energy for the uphill climb ahead.

Enjoying the Plateau: Forest Park Mt. Kono

A gentle 2-km uphill road from Nunome Dam leads to the entrance to Forest Park Mt. Kono. About 1km from here, the hill becomes a little steeper.

After climbing the hill, you will come to the entrance of “Maa Maa Farm.” This is known as the best place to view the sea of clouds. If the time and weather conditions are right, a fantastic sea of clouds can be seen.

Maa Maa Farm

From here to the entrance of Maa Maa Farm is a steep slope known as a “leg test” for cyclists!
It is an average gradient of more than 20% as you climb more than 40m in about 200m.

Whether you have made it up the hill or pushed your way up, you will be gently greeted by many sheep.

After spending a healing time playing with the sheep, climb another 450m up the hill to the observatory “Stage of the Starry Sky.”

This is a superb spot from which to view Yamato Plateau.

Nabekurakei and Eizanko

Walking slowly down the slope, you will come to “Nabekurakei” (Nabekura Creek).

Large and small black rocks, 25m wide and 650m long, form a mysterious landscape resembling a lava flow. Although the flow of water cannot be seen from between the rocks, the sound of underground water flowing below can be heard, which is also mysterious.

A short ride further on is Eizanko Restaurant. You can enjoy warm rice dishes such as “Obachan (aunt) set meal” and “hot nabeyaki (pot) udon noodles”, which are made with ingredients produced in Yamazoe. From here, too, you can enjoy a view of Yamato Plateau.

Tea fields and Yamato Tea

We will slowly ride down the hill while enjoying the beautiful scenery of tea fields in Yamazoe Village, known for its Yamato green tea.

Yamato green tea is a type of Japanese green tea produced in Nara Prefecture. Although each neighboring production area has its own brand name, the whole prefecture is unified under the name “Yamato-cha,” and those certified as such are of high quality and have a unique flavor.

Ride further: Kamitsu Dam

After descending Mt. Kouo, ride west to Manten Hiroba. The approximately 7.5-km route ends with a 1-km uphill climb after a gently rolling countryside.
If you are a little short of riding, we also recommend riding eastward along the lakeside of Kamitsu Dam.

The lakeside scenery is different from that of Nunome Dam.

Café & Gelato at Manten Hiroba

Riding through the peaceful landscape of Yamazoe Village, we reached our goal at Manten Hiroba.
As it is called a garden café, you can enjoy a post-cycling café while gazing at the well-kept garden. In addition to drinks, you can also enjoy pizza and other meals.

At the adjacent SOL TERRACE, you can enjoy gelato. From the standard flavors, seasonal gelato is also available. In the fall, gelato made with sweet potatoes and chestnuts harvested at Ao-hanikai facilities is recommended.

Also, diagonally across the street is the popular “Country Café Herb Club” also operated by Ao-hanikai, so enjoy a late lunch. (Reservations are recommended on weekends.)

Course Introduction

Distance：26.3km 　Altitude Gain：883m

Ymazoe Village Tourism Association
https://yamazoekanko.jp/

Forest Park Mt.Kouno
https://yamazoekanko.jp/forestpark/

Manten Garden&Café
https://tabelog.com/nara/A2901/A290101/29012212/

Country Café Herb Club
https://tabelog.com/nara/A2901/A290101/29004339/

Summary

Many people in Kansai and Chubu areas have heard (or seen) the name “Yamazoe Interchange” on Meihan National Highway, but many have never been there.
The course we have introduced allows you to enjoy cycling with an elevation gain of over 800m in a distance of only 26km.
Moreover, you can also enjoy a short hill climb called the 200-meter steep hill challenge, which feels like an attraction.
Cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. With its waterfront and highland areas, sheep, sweets, cafés, and gourmet food, Manten Hiroba – Yamazoe Village is a varied cycling course that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced cyclists alike.

Cyclist: SUBARU
Writer/Photographer: Yasushi Hanada