Katsuragi, Mountain city in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Katsuragi is a city in Nara Prefecture with diverse terrain ranging from the Kongo mountain ranges in the west to commercial areas along National Route 24 in the east. This mix of landscapes creates a setting where mountain foothills meet urban development.
The modern city took shape on October 1, 2004, when the towns of Shinjo and Taima merged into a single administrative entity within Kitakatsuragi District. This merger formed the foundation for today's urban structure in the region.
The Sumo-kan Kehaya-za museum showcases the city's ties to traditional sumo wrestling through displays and live demonstrations of this ancient sport. You can observe how this martial tradition remains important to local identity.
The city is accessible via the Kintetsu Railway Gose Line, Minami Osaka Line, and West Japan Railway Company Wakayama Line, with multiple stations throughout the area. These rail connections make it easy to explore different parts of the city.
The Katsuragi Hitokotonushi Shrine is home to a ginkgo tree more than 1,200 years old and maintains a tradition where visitors express single-word wishes to the shrine deity. This quiet practice makes the place stand out among Japan's spiritual sites.
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