Situated at the foot of Mount Takamado (432m), which stretches to the south of Kasugayama in the southeast of Nara’s city center, Byakugo Temple overlooks the Nara Basin, offering a picturesque view. This temple is also renowned for its Hagi flowers (bush clover). The Manyoshu, a famous collection of Japanese poetry, includes a verse: ‘In the fields of Takamado, the autumn Hagi blooms and scatters in vain, with no one to see it.’
The name ‘Byakugo Temple’ first appears in historical records during the Kamakura period, and the exact origins of the temple remain unclear. According to tradition, it was originally a villa of Prince Shiki, the seventh son of Emperor Tenchi, and this villa was later converted into a temple. However, there are various theories, including one that suggests it was founded as a result of Emperor Tenchi’s imperial decree. It remains a mysterious temple with uncertain origins.
On the evening of August 15th, the day before the Great Fire Festival (Daimonji) in Kyoto, Daimonji (a large bonfire) is also lit on Mount Takamado. However, this tradition is not well-known to people outside of Nara. From the summit of Mount Takamado, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Nara Basin. In the distance, the Ikoma Mountain Range is visible, followed by the Osaka Plain and the Osaka Bay. In the foreground, Todai-ji Temple can be seen, and to the north of it lies Wakakusayama (Mount Wakakusa), with a distant view of Kyoto.
It is a perfect place to contemplate Japan’s early history during its founding period.

奈良市街地の東南部、春日山の南に連なる高円山(432m)の山麓にあり、境内から奈良盆地が一望できる景勝地に建つ白毫寺は萩の名所でもあります。「高円の 野辺の秋萩 いたづらに 咲きか散るたむ 見る人なしに」と万葉集にも詠まれています。
白毫寺という寺号が史料にみられるのは鎌倉時代以後のことで、寺の草創については明確ではありません。伝えでは天智天皇の第七皇子、志貴皇子の離宮があり、その山荘を寺としたとされていますが、他にも天智天皇の勅願によるなど諸説ある謎のお寺です。
京都大文字の前日８月15日には高円山にも大文字の火が灯されますが、奈良に住む人以外にはあまり知られていません。高円山の頂上からは奈良盆地が一望できます。その遥か向こうに生駒連山が見え、その向こうには大阪平野、さらに大阪湾が広がっています。手前には東大寺が小さく見えますし、その北には若草山、さらに京都が遠望できます。
草創期の日本に想いを馳せる格好の場所です。