Nagaokakyo City
Nagaokakyo City is located in between Kyoto and Osaka. Nagaokakyo City is bordered to the north by Muko City and Kyoto City, to the east by Kyoto City, to the South by Oyamazaki Town, and to the west by Osaka Prefecture.
Nagaokakyo City offers excellent transportation convenience. Hankyu Railways runs through the central area of the city and the eastern area of the city is connected by the JR Kyoto Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen. The city is close to the Oyamazaki JCT/IC on the No. 2 Kyoto Outer Loop Expressway to connect to the Meishin Expressway and National Highway Route 171. Sixty percent of city land is flat residential land and the remainder is covered by the West Mountains, which are known for mushroom cultivation.
Named Nagaokakyo after the ancient capital that came to power in the year 784, today the city is known as a town that has achieved a balance of vast natural and historical resources with advanced industry. In addition to a tourism information center and sightseeing spots such as Hachijogaike Fureai Kaiyu no Michi (Hachijogaike Pond Nature Path), the city has setup signs providing information on historical walking paths at major tourism sites.
Tourism information
Nagaoka Temman-gu Shrine
Once territory that belonged to Sugawara no Michizane, he would stay at the shrine when traveling to Dazaifu
Otokuni-dera Temple
The oldest temple in existence in the Otokuni region, Kukai (Kobo Daishi) once temporarily served as head monk.
Komyo-ji Temple
The main temple of the Nishiyama Jodoshu sect of Buddhism, the temple features a vast grounds and is a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves.
Choho-ji Temple
A branch temple under Enryaku-ji Temple of the Tendai sect. The temple features the Oboronoizumi Spring, which has never run dry.
Yokoku-ji Temple
Features Okouzui, which Kukai (Kobo Daishi) believed was holy water able to cure eye ailments.
Shoryu-ji Castle Park
Park created on the former site of the castle where the Tama, the third daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide, became the bride of Hosokawa Tadaoki.
Shoryu-ji Temple
A temple built by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) after returning to Japan from Seiryu-ji Temple in China,where he practised asceticism.
Kotari Fureai Machiya
A machiya (Japanese long-house) built at the end of the Edo Period, the house is registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
Igenoyama Ancient Burial Site
The largest keyhole-shaped tomb mound in the Otokuni region, it was made in the early 5th Century during the height of the Tumulus period .
Shuichi Nakayama Memorial Hall
Part of the original home of Shuichi Nakayama, who proved the existence of Nagaokakyo through his excavation work.
Jyakusho-in Temple
One of the sub-temples of Kaiin-ji Temple built in the year 819, the temple features the stone monument “Birthplace of the Mao Zhu Bamboo Tree.
Event information
| April | Bamboo sprout harvesting |
| Early April - early May |
In late April, Otokuni-dera Temple features a garden of more than 2000 peony flowers for the enjoyment of visitors. |
| Late June |  Hydrangea festival In late June, Yanagitani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple welcomes the blooming season of some 5,000 hydrangea in colors of white, reddish purple, and blue. The hydrangea festival will feature various events. |
| August 25 |  Nagaoka Temmangu Summer Festival / Hachijogaike Summer Lantern Festival The Nagaoka Temmangu Summer Festival features Bon Odori, Rokusai Nenbutsu, and Japanese Taiko performances as well as numerous food stands. The tourism association sponsors an event that will feature sending off candle-lit bottles from the bridge on Hachijoga-ike Pond. |
| Mid-September |  Meigetsu no Utage PerformanceA night of artistic performances performed at Shoryu-ji Castle Park. Performances will include koto, shakuhachi, and Japanese dance. |
| Mid-October |  Cosmos Festival Cosmos picking and a mini early morning market are planned for the 2nd parking lot of the Yanagitani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple. |
| Early November | Nagaokakyo Garasha Festival |
| Late November |  Maple Leave FestivalNagaoka Temman-gu Kinkei-en Garden, Komyo-ji Temple, and Yokoku-ji Temple will feature beautiful autumn leaves. |
| December | Tourism photo contest and children’s photo contest |
| February 17 |  Saito DaigomakuAt the Yanagitani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple, people write their name and wish on a piece of paper called hitogata, which is then burned as a way to ward off ailments and pray for good fortune. Priests from Nara’s Mount Omine travel to support the festival. |
Access to Nagaokakyo
Travel by train
By car
From the Oyamazaki JCT/IC on the Meishin Expressway to the Kyoto Throughway Nagaokakyo IC
(Travel on the expressway requires that you use the left route in order to exit.)
★Nagaokakyo Park and Ride parking lot (Municipal Nagaokakyo Station West Parking Lot)
| Spaces | 391 spaces (Designated spaces - 48) |
| Price | 100 yen/20 minutes (Daily maximum: 1800 yen) Designated zones 1000 yen/day (prior registration required) |
| Hours | 5:00am to 1:30am the following day |
| [Note] Vehicles exceeding length 5.0m, height 2.3m, and width 2.0m cannot use parking lot. | |
Inquiries to Tourism Guide Center
- Nagaokakyo Tourism Guide Center
TEL/FAX 075-951-4500 (am9:00-pm5:00) - Nagaokakyo City Tourism Information Center
TEL/FAX 075-958-4222 (am9:00-pm5:00) - Nagaokakyo City Tourism Association
TEL 075-951-4500
1-1-2 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo City
Closing dates for each information center: No closing days during April, May, June, or November. Otherwise, closing day is Wednesday
