Kubikiri Jizo on the Takisaka Road
A large Jizo at a historic trail junction, reached by a stone-paved mountain path through Kasugayama's forest edge.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Kubikiri Jizo on the Takisaka Road
The Takisaka Road is the Nara-side stretch of the old Yagyu Kaido, a route that once connected the city with the eastern village of Yagyu. Its uneven stone pavement follows a stream through the valley between Kasugayama and Takamado-yama, with Buddhist figures placed along the way. Kubikiri Jizo stands at a three-way junction where the stone paving gives way; the roughly 1.8-metre image became a familiar road marker. A split at the neck gave rise to a story that swordsman Araki Mataemon tested his blade there, but that is a local legend, not a verified account.
Read the statue and the junction together
Nara City Tourism Association describes the Jizo as about 1.8 metres high and notes its position where the Takisaka Road's stone pavement ends at a three-way junction. Its split neck is linked in local tradition to the swordsman Araki Mataemon; present this as folklore rather than a documented event. The statue is one stop on a longer historic footpath, not a roadside monument reachable by car.
Follow a road shaped by travel and worship
The Takisaka Road forms the early section of the Yagyu Kaido from Nara. The city tourism association describes the valley path between Kasugayama and Takamado-yama, the Edo-period stone paving, and stone Buddhist images associated with mountain religious practice. The trail's setting changes from the historic homes of Takabatake to a shaded stream valley. Slippery stones, roots and uneven steps are part of the route; allow attention for footing as well as the monuments.
Approach on foot and plan a return
Nara Prefecture identifies Wariishicho as the nearest bus stop for the Kasugayama trail start and gives about 15 minutes' walk to the trail entrance. The city tourism association's field report reaches Kubikiri Jizo about 40 minutes after starting from Wariishicho, but that is one reporter's walking time, not a guaranteed pace. The route continues beyond the statue toward the pass and Yagyu; it is not a loop. Check the return plan, daylight, forecast and current trail notices before setting out.
Distinguish the open course from the closed cave spur
Nara City's current Yagyu Kaido guidebook page says the Takisaka course is open while the sightseeing spur from near the pass tea house to just before Jigokudani Stone Buddhas is closed; the city dates this status to March 2026. The city's separate 2023 notice records that the bridge-work closure between the trail entrance and Kubikiri Jizo was lifted on 10 July 2023. These are dated notices, not live trail telemetry; check the city's latest page and on-site signs before travel. Do not continue beyond barriers or assume the cave spur has reopened.
Use the city’s English route guide
Nara City publishes a 2025 English-language Yagyu Kaido guidebook. Its accompanying page states that the Takisaka course route is passable while the sightseeing route from near the pass teahouse to just before Jigokudani Stone Buddhas remains closed as of March 2026. The English guide is useful for route context, but the closure notice is dated rather than live; check the city page and signs on the day, and do not treat this Jizo stop as a short roadside visit.
Walk lightly in a protected forest landscape
The route crosses the edge of Kasugayama's protected forest and is shared with other walkers and wildlife. Keep to marked paths, leave the stone images and forest undisturbed, carry out rubbish, and avoid loud playback. The path is not presented as step-free or universally accessible. Wear shoes with grip, bring water and a paper or offline map because mobile reception can be unreliable in parts of the valley.
What to look for
An approximately 1.8 m Jizo at a historic junction on the Yagyu Kaido
Edo-period stone paving and other Buddhist images along the stream valley
A forest hike from Wariishicho, with route conditions to check before departure
Photo notes
No third-party image is licensed for MyNara. Do not climb on or touch the statue; follow local photography signs and avoid photographing other visitors without consent. Obtain permission before publication-oriented photography.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 24 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Nara City Tourism Association — Takisaka Road field report, access, trail and Jizo details
- Nara Prefecture — Kasugayama access map, routes and protected-area guidance
- Nara City — Yagyu Kaido course and sightseeing-spur status (status dated 1 December 2025)
- Nara City — current Yagyu Kaido guidebook page (route status dated March 2026)
- Nara City — English Yagyu Kaido guidebook (FY2025 PDF); route-closure notice dated March 2026
- Nara City — Yagyu Kaido/Takisaka bridge-work closure information (2023)
- Nara Prefecture — Kasugayama Primeval Forest access and conservation rules