The Four Seasons in Nara
Nara is a city steeped in centuries of tradition. Its many shrines and temples are also excellent locations to take in the riotous blooms brought with each changing season.
INDEX
Spring in Nara
Spring in Nara is said to begin with the celebration of the Shuni-e ceremony at Todaiji Temple. It is a season in which the stillness of temple gardens and natural greenery becomes beautifully adorned with flowering blossoms. Amidst this atmosphere of calm, the city is brought to life with parties of cherry blossom-viewers and traditional festivals.
- A repentance ceremony that has continued for more than 1270 years: Shuni-e／Todaiji Temple
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- Byakugoji Temple's Five-Colored Camellias, One of Nara's Three Great Camellias (March-April)
- Kairyuoji Temple frosted white with Baby's Breath Spirea (April)
- Multi-Layered Cherry Blossoms at Kohfukuji Temple's Five-Storied Pagoda (April)
- The Famous Tree & Celebrated Wisteria Blooms at Kasugataisha Shrine (April-May)
- Takigi O-Noh A mysterious world lit be firelight
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Best Flower Viewing Times & Locations in Spring
◆ Plum Blossoms
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Tsukigase Plum Grove | 10,000 trees | Mid-February to late March | - |
| Nara Park | - | Late February to Mid-March | - |
| Akishino-dera Temple | - | Late February to Early March | - |
| Oiwake Plum Grove | 6,000 trees over 10 hectares | Early February to Mid-March | - |
◆ Camellia
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Gangoji Temple (Gokurakubo) | - | Early Spring | - |
| Todaiji Temple Kaidan-do Hall | - | March-April | - |
| TodaiJi Temple Kaizan-do Hall | - | March-April | Famous Red-and-white Camellia Tree |
| Hokkeji Temple | - | March-April | - |
| Toshodaiji Temple | - | March-April | - |
| Denkoji Temple | - | Early March-Early April | Fallen Camellias |
| Byakugoji Temple | - | Late March-Early April | Five-Colored Camellia |
| Gokoku Shrine | 1,800 varieties, 23,000 trees | Late March-Early April | - |
◆ Japanese andromeda
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Nara Park (Including within shrine/temple grounds) | Viewable in various parts of Nara Park. Within Kasugataisha Shrine Grounds (Sasayaki no Michi, the whispering trail) Various locations within Todaiji Temple grounds | Late March-Early May | - |
◆ Baby's breath spirea
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Kairyuoji Temple | 150 plants | Late April | - |
| Hokkeji Temple | Some blooms, contributing to the temple's lovely scenery | Mid-March-Early April | - |
◆ Forsythia
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | Within temple grounds | Early April | - |
◆ Cherry Blossoms
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Saho Riverside | Nearly 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees | Spring | These trees were planted by Nara's magristrate, Toshiakitara Kawaji, at the close of the Edo period (19th century), making some of them as old as 150 years. |
| Himuro Shrine | A 100 year-old weeping cherry tree stands to the right at the end of the road approaching the shrine. | Spring | - |
| Mount Wakakusa | The mountain is well-known for the blossoms at its summit, base, and along its trails. It's weeping and nine-layered cherry trees are remarkable for their long blooming periods. | Spring | - |
| Nara Park Area around the Ukimo-do Pavilion | 30 Higan weeping cherry trees 470 Mountain cherry trees 200 Yoshino cherry trees 1,000 Nine-layered & Yang Guifei cherry trees; 1,800 Nara nine-layered cherry trees | Late March-Early April Early April Early April Mid-April | Numbers listed are those within Nara Park |
| Heijo Palace Site | Mountain cherry trees Yoshino cherry trees Nine-layered cherry trees, etc. Nearly 1,000 trees | Early-Mid April | - |
| Tsukigase | Tsukigase lakeshore Tsukigase Sightseeing Information Center | Early-Mid April | Tsukigase is most famous for its plum blossoms, but when the plum blossoms begin to fall, cherry blossoms bloom in their place. |
| Former Yagyu Domain Government Office＆Lord's Residence Site | 300 Yoshino cherry trees | Mid-April | - |
◆ Japanese yellow rose
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Hannyaji Temple | 1500 plants | Mid-April-Early May | - |
◆ Azaleas
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Jurin-in Temple | Hirado azaleas | Late April-Early May | - |
◆Tree peony
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Gangoji Temple (Gokurakubo) | - | Early Spring | - |
◆ Wisteria
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Nara Park (Including within shrine/temple grounds) | Weeping wisteria at Kasugataisha Shrine, and those within Gangoji Temple Grounds | Late April-Early May | Weeping wisteria at Kasugataisha Shrine Kasugataisha Shrine +81-742-22-7788 |
◆ Japanese iris
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Hokkeji Temple | Blooms within the temple gardens | May 1st-15th Special opening | - |
| Isui-en Garden | Flowers bloom along the lakeside within the garden | Mid-May | - |
◆ Siberian iris
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | 800 plants | Late May-Mid-June | - |
| Isui-en Garden | Blooms within the temple gardens | Late May-Mid-June | - |
◆ Chinese clematis
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Hokkeji Temple | Some blooms, contributing to the temple's lovely scenery | May-June | - |
◆ Rose
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Ryosenji Temple | 200 varieties, 2,000 plants | May-June | - |
◆ Satsuki azalea
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Obitoke-dera Temple | 100 square yards | Mid-May | - |
| Isui-en Garden | Found throughout the garden | Mid-June | - |
Summer in Nara
Nara's summer is thick with green foliage. During these warm months, many events are held in the evening to light up the twilight. The lotus flowers that open up their petals in the mornings have a sacred beauty.
Best Flower Viewing Times & Locations in Summer
◆ Siberian iris
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | 800 plants | Late May-Mid-June | - |
| Isui-en Garden | Blooms within the temple gardens | Late May-Mid-June | - |
◆ Chinese clematis
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Hokkeji Temple | Some blooms, contributing to the temple's lovely scenery | May-June | - |
◆ Rose
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Ryosenji Temple | 200 varieties, 2,000 plants | May-June | - |
◆ Satsuki azalea
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Obitoke-dera Temple | Nearly 100 plants | Mid-May | - |
| Isui-en Garden | Found throughout the garden | Mid-June | - |
◆ Water lily
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | Found in the pond within the temple grounds | June | - |
| Saidaiji Temple | Found in the pond within the temple grounds | June | - |
| Enjoji Temple | Found in the pond within the temple grounds | June | - |
◆ Linden tree
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Jurin-in Temple | - | Mid-June | - |
◆ Japanese iris (Iris ensata)
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Yagyu Iris Garden | Garden area: 10,000 square meters | Early June-Early july | Some potted plants will be for sale |
◆ Hydrangea
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Shinyakushiji Temple | Found in several areas throughout the temple grounds | June | - |
| Gangoji Temple (Gokurakubo) | Found in several areas throughout the temple grounds | June | - |
| Hannyaji Temple | 150 plants | June | - |
◆ Lotus
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Kikoji Temple | 200 pots | Late June-Early August | - |
| Toshodaiji Temple | 50 plants | July-August | - |
| Gangoji Temple | 50 plants | July-August | - |
◆ Crepe myrtle
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Nara Park (Including within shrine/temple grounds) | Found near the Ukimido Gazebo and surrounding areas | Mid-July-August | - |
| Former Site of Todaiji Temple Lecture Hall | - | Mid-July-August | - |
| Obitoke-dera Temple | - | Late August-Late September | - |
Fall in Nara
Fall in Nara is a particularly cultural season, with the yearly special exhibition of the Shosoin Temple treasures. Another exciting fall event is the traditional cutting of the antlers of the deer of Nara Park. Above all, the season's elegant fall colors can be seen lighting up the landscape of shrines and temples across Nara.
Best Flower Viewing Times & Locations in Fall
◆ Crepe myrtle
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Nara Park (including the shrine and temple grounds within) | Found near the Ukimido Gazebo and surrounding areas | Mid-July-August | - |
| Former Site of Todaiji Temple Lecture Hall | - | Mid-July-August | - |
| Obitoke-dera Temple | - | Late August-Late September | - |
◆ Bush clover
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Enjoji Temple | Found throughout the temple grounds | Early September | - |
| Gangoji Temple | Found throughout the temple grounds | Mid-Late September | - |
| Akishino-dera Temple | Found in several areas throughout the temple grounds | Mid-September | - |
| Shinyakushiji Temple | 50 plants | Late September | - |
| Toshodaiji Temple | Found throughout the temple grounds | Late September | - |
| Byakugoji Temple | Found on either side of the stone steps leading to the temple | Late September | - |
| Yakushiji Temple | Found in several areas throughout the temple grounds | Late September | - |
◆ Kibune grass
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Gangoji Temple (Gorakubo) | - | Fall | - |
◆ Cosmos
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Hannyaji Temple | 50,000 plants found throughout the temple grounds | Late September-Early October | - |
◆ Japanese silver grass
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Sahoji | Near the Uwanabe and Konabe ancient keyhole tombs | October | - |
| Shoryakuji Temple | - | October | - |
| Nara Park | Mount Wakakusa | October | Mountain is not accessible from September 10th-November 25th |
◆ Scarlet Kadsura
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | - | Late October-Early January | - |
◆ Rose
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Ryosenji Temple | 80 varieties, 500 plants | Mid-October-Mid-November | - |
◆ Sarcandra glabra herb
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | - | Late October-Late January | - |
◆ Autumn foliage
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Shoryakuji Temple | - | Late October-Early November | - |
| Takisaka Path | - | Late October-Early November | - |
| Nara Park | Kasugano Apartment Complex Kasuga Mountain Area | Late October to Early November | - |
◆ Heavenly bamboo
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Shoryakuji Temple | Over 1,000 plants | Late November to Early December | - |
Winter in Nara
The chill of winter in Nara may send a shiver down your spine. But it may just be worth it for the beautiful snowcapes, and the sweet fragrance of the plum blossoms that bloom during this season. At nighttime, the flaming letters spelled on the mountainside during a traditional event, and the fireworks, too, are not to be missed.
- Magnificent Shinto ritual performing arts and Jidai Gyoretsu (procession of people in historical costumes): Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri
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- Heavenly bamboo at Shoryakuji Temple (November-December)
- A winter scene at the Ukimido Gazebo (January-February)
- Tsukigase Plum Creek Tenjin Plum Grove
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Best Flower Viewing Times & Locations in Winter
◆ Sarcandra glabra herb
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Futaiji Temple | - | Late October to Late January | - |
◆ Heavenly bamboo
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Shoryakuji Temple | Over 1,000 plants | Late-November to Early December | - |
◆ Sasanqua camellia
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Shinyakushiji Temple | - | January-February | - |
| Futaiji Temple | - | January-February | - |
| Kangou Shrine | - | January-February | - |
| Heijo Palance Site | - | January-February | - |
◆ Plum blossoms
| Location | Species, scope of bloom | Season | Note |
| Tsukigase Plum Grove | 10,000 blooms | Mid-February to late March | - |
| Nara Park | - | Late February to Mid-March | - |
| Akishino-dera Temple | - | Late February to Early March | - |
| Oiwake Plum Grove | 6,000 blooms over 10 hectares | Early February to Mid-March | - |
