Kansai in Nature observation / Creature observation

• Age 3～Age 100
• 1 Day or more
• 18:00

Nogawa Nature School will advance to Kansai. This tour will be hosted by Ryo from the Tokyo school and staff member Muro from Kyoto. Meet at Kyoto Station, and reserve a business hotel for each person. This is a car-only trip to the river. The next day, we will depart at 7:00 and search for Japanese pond turtles in the Lake Biwa water system. The main focus of the Kyoto tour is observing the giant salamander, a natural monument. In addition, we will guide you to several points in Kyoto and capture aquatic insects, amphibians, red-bellied newts, and river crabs. The main tour is at night, but the next day, we will search for Japanese pond turtles by rummaging around the Lake Biwa water system from the morning. We look forward to your participation.

• For Rainy Days
• For Groups

• Age 6～Age 100
• 1～2 hours
• 19:00

We will visit “Kobo Daishi aka Kukai” in Okunoin graveyard between early dinner and bedtime. Licensed guides who can speak English take you the enjoyable tour.You will see a mystical Okunoin which is totally different from the daytime.

• Pickup Service
• For Groups

• Age 10～Age 90
• 3～4 hours /Over 6 hours on the day

Koyasan is a sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai 1200 years ago. The entire area of Mt. Koya is called ``Kongobu-ji, the head temple.'' In particular, ``Okunoin'' and ``Danjo Garan'' are two of the most sacred places of worship. We will guide you through spots such as Danjo Garan, Okunoin, Koyasan Shichibenten, etc. in the style of a trainee monk. It is also recommended that you experience training in the same way as the former Shugenja, and visit the legends related to Kukai. This experience work is recommended for those who want to learn more about Koyasan. Half day and full day courses are available.

• For Rainy Days
• For Groups

• Age 13～Age 65
• 5～6 hours
• 09:30

This tour is an adventure tour that combines the mysterious world of Shugendo with the thrill of cave exploration. There are many caves and waterfalls in the Yoshino region of Nara Prefecture, and it has long been considered a sacred place for people who practice asceticism in the mountains. You can experience the beauty of nature and the depth of history by visiting the waterfalls and caves where ancient ascetics practiced. In particular, by exploring inside a cave, you can experience the sensation of entering the womb of the earth with all five senses, touch the mysteries of nature, and refresh your mind and body while being surrounded by a ``silent and mysterious'' atmosphere. **What is Shugendo? **Shugendo is a unique religious culture that incorporates elements of Buddhism and Shintoism into traditional Japanese ascetic practices, and values a sense of unity with nature. Mountains are considered sacred places, and asceticism is carried out in nature. Ascetics are called ``Yamabushi'' and aim for spiritual growth through meditation, waterfall training (asceticism where you are hit by a waterfall), asceticism in caves, etc. Shugendo, born from gratitude for being alive amidst the blessings of nature, is based on the idea that one can be reborn once again through rigorous training in nature. Caves have also been used as training sites. 1. **Arrival at Yoiyoi Nishikawa Base and Briefing**: - After arriving at Yoiyoi Nishikawa Base, you will receive a briefing on the tour overview, safety, and the cultural significance of the places you will visit. 2. **Introduction to Dragonfly Falls Hike**: - Visit Dragonfly Falls, which was also a training site for Shugendo, located a one-minute drive from Yoiyoi Nishikawa Base. Here, you will experience the training of Shugendo and how to face nature, including waterfalls. 3. **Lunch Break**: Have lunch at the park below Dragonfly Falls 4. **Preparing for Expedition**: - Return to Yoiyoi Nishikawa Base and prepare your exploration gear. Once you are ready, you will drive in your guide's car for about 15 minutes to the parking lot near the cave. 5. **Start of cave exploration**: - After arriving at the parking lot, the cave exploration will begin. The exploration begins by searching for the entrance of the cave. Please discover the cave with your own hands. In order to enjoy the cave exploration empty-handed, your luggage will be left in the car and your guide will take care of your valuables other than your smartphone. 6. **Cave exploration**:7. **Response after cave exploration**: - Return to the same parking lot and change from your dirty equipment. 8. **Hot spring bath**: - After the cave exploration, you can enjoy a hot spring bath. We will provide face towels. Please spend some time relaxing and soothing your tired body in the hot spring. 9. **Pick-up and disbandment**:

• Pickup Service
• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 10～Age 90
• 2～3 hours

Just by living, people accumulate dirt and impurities at the end of each day. It would be nice if we could wash them off ourselves every day, but for busy modern people, it is not easy. Mount Koya, which spreads out in a mountain basin surrounded by peaks at an altitude of about 1,000m, is a sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai 1,200 years ago. This plan involves climbing together to the top of Benten-dake, the watershed of Mount Koya, and performing a purification and purification prayer in front of the shrine. (Depending on the weather, etc., it may be performed at a different shrine.) A special human figure will be prepared. Usually, the Great Purification is performed at the end of June and the end of December, but for our purification and purification plan, a specialized prayer leader will be available all year round when visitors are in a good mood. We will offer our original incense amulet after praying for it. Why not spend a refreshing time with the goddess of water (Benzaiten)? This is an experiential workshop recommended for those who want to learn more about Mount Koya.

• For Rainy Days

• Age 7～Age 90
• 2～3 hours

At Mitsuishi Fudoson, a traditional esoteric Buddhist temple that worships the waterfall where Kobo Daishi trained at the age of 21, we will practice rituals at the goma and make our wishes come true. The prayer priest is Sato Myosen (representative of the Kishu Koyasan Yokofue Association), a nun who lives in Mt. Koya. After the Goma prayer, if the weather is good, you can visit the waterfall and achieve a unique purification. Although you can apply for the Goma prayer experience alone, we recommend visiting in a group.

• In Door Activity