Manyo Mahoroba Line for Tenri, Miwa, Sakurai, and Wakayama

The Manyo Mahoroba Line runs between JR Nara Station and Takada Station, where it connects with the Wakayama Line. Some services continue beyond Takada toward Oji or JR Namba, but for Wakayama it is best to check the JR West timetable and route finder, as the trip generally requires transfers. However, the main reason to use this line is to explore some of the historical areas of Nara Prefecture. At Nara Station all trains on the Manyo Mahoroba Line depart from Platform 1. This line is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

A through train service on the Manyo Mahoroba Line bound for Wakayama

The original name of this line was the “Sakurai Line,” however, since 2010 signage at JR Nara Station uses the alternative name “Manyo Mahoroba Line”. This new name is a rather romantic reference to the Manyo-shu collection of poetry which was compiled in the Nara period (AD 710 – 794) and is Japan’s oldest poetry collection. The Manyo Mahoroba Line acquired its name because there are many historical landmarks and archaeological remains along this railway line which date from the Nara period.

Manyo Mahoroba Line Stations

There are 14 stations along the Manyo Mahoroba Line.

Nara > Kyobate > Obitoke > Ichinomoto > Tenri > Nagara > Yanagimoto > Makimuku > Miwa > Sakurai > Kaguyama > Unebi > Kanahashi > Takada

The key destinations and transfer points are given below with travel times and fares given from JR Nara Station.

Obitoke Station

Exit here for Obitoke Temple which dates from 858. Legend has it that over 1000 years ago the Empress Fujiwara Meishi prayed here when she was pregnant for her child to be born safely. Because she gave birth to her child without any problems, the temple became a popular location for pregnant mothers. Today either pregnant mothers come here to pray for an easy birth, or their friends come to pray for them. The temple is a 5 minute walk north of the station.

Tenri Station

Tenri Station is a 10 minute taxi ride from Isonokami Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan, which is said to date back to the year 4 AD and which holds many sacred swords. This shrine stands at the northern end of the Yamanobe-no-michi hiking trail which links Tenri and Sakurai and is Japan’s oldest path. Change at Tenri Station for the Kintetsu Tenri Line which links Tenri and Hirahata stations and for through train services to Kyoto.

Nagara Station

Oyamato Shrine is about a 6-8 minute walk from Nagara Station. This shrine is said to date back to ancient times. Every April 1st the shrine holds the Chanchan Festival, the highlight of which is a procession with portable shrines and many people in traditional costumes. The sound of prayer gongs which accompanies the procession gave the festival its name: “chan-chan”.

Yanagimoto Station

After a 12 minute walk from Yanagimoto Station you can also see the 4th century tumulus remains of the Emperor Sujin’s grave. Chogakuji Temple is a further 5 minutes on foot from the tumulus. This temple dates from 824 and is known for its beautiful garden and seasonal flower displays.

Makimuku Station

Makimuku Station is about a 16 minute walk from Hashihaka Kofun, a large 3rd century keyhole-shaped burial mound which is about 280 meters long and one of the earliest major keyhole-shaped burial mounds in Japan.

Miwa Station

Exit here for the Omiwa Shrine which is about a 5 minute walk from the station. The shrine sits in a forest at the base of Mount Miwa and is dedicated to the spirit of the mountain. This shrine is unusual because it has no main hall to enshrine a god, as the mountain itself is worshiped as the deity. It also has an unusual torii gate with three parts called a mitsu-torii.

Sakurai Station

Transfer here to the Kintetsu Osaka Line. To visit Hasedera Temple take the Kintetsu Osaka Line to Hasedera Station. The journey takes about 6 minutes and costs 240 yen. Hasedera Temple is a massive temple complex dating from 686 and is best known for its five-storied pagoda. To the south of Sakurai City is the Tanzan Shrine, an ancient shrine with a 13 story pagoda which is famous for its autumn colors. To get there from Sakurai Station take a bus from the station’s south exit bus stop to the Tanzan Jinja stop. The bus costs 570 yen and takes about 25 minutes.

Unebi Station

Exit here for Ofusa Kannon Temple which is a 10 minute walk from the station. This temple is known for its rose garden and for its summer wind chime festival. Unebi Station is also a 5 minute walk from Yagi-nishiguchi Station where you can transfer to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line which runs between Yamato-Saidaiji Station and Kashiharajingu-mae Station.

Platform departure information is given in English as well as Japanese

Takada Station

Takada Station is the southern terminus of the Manyo Mahoroba Line. Beyond this station, some services continue via the Wakayama Line toward Oji, and a small number of services continue through to JR Namba on the Yamatoji Line. Although it is possible to use local and rapid trains from Nara toward Oji, JR Namba, or Wakayama via this route, it is not usually the fastest way to make longer journeys. For travel beyond Takada, use the JR West Timetable and Route finder to check the best connection on the day you travel.

You can also transfer to the Kintetsu Osaka Line from Takada Station by walking to Yamato-Takada Station which is just 7 minutes away.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 17-May-2026.