〈This year's campaign has ended〉Special Night time Visits at Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites + Twilight & Night View Tours！ Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025
Experience Nara’s Autumn Nights 2025
This fall, Nara city invites you to enjoy the Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025, featuring exclusive evening visits to five UNESCO World Heritage sites- Kasugaisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Gangoji Toshodaiji and Yakushiji Temples. Events take place on Saturday, October 25, and every Saturday in November, offering a rare chance to explore these sacred places after dark.
Also available is the Mt. Wakakusa Twilight & Night View Bus Tour (reservation required), taking visitors from sunset to night at one of Japan`s “New Three Major Night Views.”
Now in its 6th year since 2025, the program coincides with the 77th Shōsōin Exhibition at the Nara National Museum-making it the perfect time to stay overnight and experience the refined beauty of Nara’s autumn evenings.
Special Night time Visits at 5 World Heritage Temples & Shrines – What’s the 2025 Schedule?
Special Night Visits at Five World Heritage Sites- 2025 Schedule
During the Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025, five UNESCO World Heritage temples and shrines- Kasugataisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Temple, Gangoji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Yakushiji Temple- will open for exclusive evening visits.
Experience the serene, softly lit atmosphere of Nara`s ancient capital after dark and take time to worship in quiet reverence.
No reservation required. Dates and hours differ by site- please confirm before visiting.
※Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Event Period: Oct. 25th (Sat) ～ Nov. 29 (Sat), 2025 ※Dates and times vary by temple/shrine | |||||
Dates | Kasugataisha Shrine | Kohfukuji Temple | Gangoji Temple | Yakushiji Temple | Toshodaiji Temple |
| 10/25（Sat） | ー | 17:30～21:00 | 18:00～20:00 | 17:30～21:00 | 17:30～21:00 |
| 11/1（Sat） | 17:30～20:00 | 17:30～21:00 | 18:00～20:00 | ー | ー |
| 11/8（Sat） | 17:30～20:00 | 17:30～21:00 | 18:00～20:00 | ー | ー |
| 11/15（Sat） | 17:30～20:00 | 17:30～21:00 | 18:00～20:00 | ー | ー |
| 11/22（Sat） | ー | 17:30～21:00 | 18:00～20:00 | ー | ー |
| 11/29（Sat） | 17:30～20:00 | ー | ー | ー | ー |
Kasugataisha Shrine : Special Night Visit to the National Treasure Main Sanctuary & Festival of a Thousand Lanterns
At Kasugataisha Shrine, a special night visit will be held at the vermilion main sanctuary (a National Treasure).
In addition, the Mantoro ritual will take place, where about 1,000 hanging lanterns in the shrine’s corridors are lit with sacred fire.
📅 November 1 (Sat), 8 (Sat), 15 (Sat), 29 (Sat), 2025
🕐 17:30～20:00 (The shrine will temporarily close at 17:00. Final admission at 19:45.)
Special Night Visit Fee: 700yen
※Goshuin (temple stamps) available until 20:00. Parking entry allowed until 19:30.
※No reservation required.
Kohfukuji Temple: Special Night Visit to the National Treasure Tokondo Hall
For the first time as part of Nara Autumn Night Expedition, visitors can enjoy a special evening visit to the Tokondo Hall.
Rebuilt in the Muromachi period, the Tokondo Hall (a National Treasure) houses important Buddhist statues, including the principal image Seated Yakushi Nyorai (Important Cultural Property), Seated Monju Bosatsu (National Treasure), and the Standing Twelve Heavenly Generals (National Treasure).
📅 October 25 (Sat), November 1 (Sat), 8 (Sat), 15 (Sat), 22 (Sat), 2025
🕐 17:30–21:00 (The temple will temporarily close at 17:00. Final admission at 20:45.)
Admission: Adults (including university students) 500yen / Junior & Senior High School Students 300yen / Elementary School Students 200yen
※Free for preschool children
※Goshuin (temple stamps) available until 21:00
※No reservation required.
Gangoji Temple: Special Night Visit to the National Treasure Gokurakudo Hall (Main Hall) & Horinkan Exhibition Hall
Gangoji Temple Special Night Visit to the National Treasure Gokurakudo Hall (Main Hall) & Horinkan Exhibition
In addition to the special night visit and illumination of Gokurakudo Hall (Main Hall, National Treasure), visitors can view the Horinkan (first floor only), which houses the Five-Story Small Pagoda (National Treasure), the Amida Nyorai statue (Important Cultural Property), and the Standing Prince Shōtoku statue (Important Cultural Property).
📅 October 25 (Sat), November 1 (Sat), 8 (Sat), 15 (Sat), 22 (Sat), 2025
🕐 18:00～20:00 (The temple will temporarily close at 17:00. Final admission at 19:45.)
Special Night Visit Fee: 700yen
※Goshuin (temple stamps) available until 20:00
※No reservation required
Toshodaiji Temple: Special Night Visit of the National Treasure Kondo Hall (Main Hall)
The Kondo (Main Hall), a National Treasure that retains the appearance of its original construction in the Nara period, will be specially opened at night. Inside, you can view the seated statue of Rushana Buddha, the standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai, and the standing statue of Senju Kannon (all designated National Treasures). Since nighttime viewing is usually offered only a few times a year, this is a rare opportunity.
📅 October 25, 2025 (Sat) only
🕐 17:30～21:00 (temple gates temporarily close at 17:00. Final admission at 20:30.)
Admission: 500yen
※Goshuin (temple stamps) available until 20:45
※No reservation required
Yakushiji Temple: Special Night Visit to the Temple`s Hakuho period Garan
The Kondō (Main Hall), the central hall enshrining the Yakushi Triad (National Treasure), will be specially open for viewing. Both the East Pagoda (National Treasure) and the West Pagoda will also be open, with the first-floor doors unlocked to allow visitors to see inside.
📅 October 25, 2025 (Sat) only
🕐 17:30～21:00 (temple gates temporarily close at 17:00. Final admission at 20:30.)
Night time special admission: 1,000yen
※Goshuin (temple stamps) available until 20:45
※No reservation required
Nara Mt. Wakakusa Twilight & Night View Bus – Experience Spectacular Panoramas from Sunset to Night!
Take in breathtaking views over the city at sunset from Mt. Wakakusa, followed by one of the “New Three Major Night Views of Japan” from the summit. During Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025, the Nara Mt. Wakakusa Twilight & Night View Bus will operate on Saturdays, giving you the chance to enjoy both the glowing twilight and the sparkling nightscape.
On the return journey, you can also hop off at the Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop, allowing you to continue on to the special nighttime openings at World Heritage temples and shrines after admiring the panoramic scenery of the ancient capital.
Advance reservations are required. Please be sure to book ahead.
| Operating Dates | 2025/10/25（Sat）,11/1（Sat）,8（Sat）,15（Sat）,22（Sat）,29（Sat） |
| Round-Trip Fare | Adults (junior high school and older）1,000yen,Children（elementary school and younger）500yen（tax included） |
| Bus stops | JR Nara Station: Departs at 4:00 p.m. from JR Nara Station East Exit Bus stop No. 4 Kintetsu Nara Station: Departs at 16:05 from the Kintetsu Nara Station Sightseeing Bus Stop (in front of Nara Line House) |
| Reservation URL | Nara Kotsu Bus ※Japanese only |
| Reservations & Inquiries | 0742-22-5110 (Nara Kotsu General Reservation Center, 9:00 to 18:00, open daily) |
| Organizer | Nara City Tourism Association |
※On the return trip, you may descend at Kasuga Taisha Honden Main Hall. (exception 10/25, 11/22)
※Runs in rainy weather, but evening views may not be visible. Service may be canceled in severe weather.
※Sunset and night views depend on the day’s sunset time. Thank you for your understanding!
Access to various World Heritage Sites
｜Bus stop
Nara Park Area Kasuga Taisha ・Kohfukuji・Gangoji | West Area Toshodaiji・Yakushiji |
| JR Nara Station・Kintetsu Nara Station | Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station |
｜Access by Bus and foot
| Temple /Shrine | Access by bus | Access by foot |
| Kasugataisha Shrine | JR Nara Station・Kintetsu Nara Station Bus number 【77】To "Kasuga Taisha Honden" get off at "Kasuga Taisha Honden" or 【2】Take the City Loop (Outer Route) and get off at “Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae" From there, about 10 minutes by foot. ※Please note: Regular route buses bound for “Kasuga Taisha Honden” finish service after 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m., please use the World Heritage Temple & Shrine Loop Bus mentioned below. | About 26 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station |
| Kohfukuji temple | From JR Nara Station, take the City Loop (Outer Route) [2] and get off at “Kencho-mae.” The temple is right in front of the stop. | About a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of the East Gate at Kintetsu Nara Station. |
| Gangoji temple | From JR Nara Station, take the City Loop Bus ([1] Inner Loop or [2] Outer Loop) and get off at “Tanaka-cho (Naramachi South Entrance),” about 5 minutes by foot. From Kintetsu Nara Station, take the bus bound for Tenri Station ([50] or [82]) and get off at “Fukuchiin-cho,” about 5 minutes by foot. | About a 20-minute walk from JR Nara Station, or a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. |
| Toshodaiji temple | JR Nara Station・Kintetsu Nara Station 【78】bound for "Nara Prefectural General Medical Center". Ride for about 17 minutes and get off at "Tōshōdai-ji".The temple is right in front of the stop. | About a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. |
| Yakushiji temple | JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station 【78】bound for Nara Prefectural General Medical Center. Ride for about 18 minutes and get off at "Yakushiji". The temple is right in front of the stop. | Just a short walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. |
｜World Heritage Temple & Shrine Loop Bus (Nara Park Route) ※No Reservation Required
World Heritage Temple & Shrine Loop Bus departing from JR and Kintetsu Nara Stations is convenient.
During the “Nara Autumn Night Expedition 2025” period, the bus will operate on four days, looping around the World Heritage Sites.
📅2025 11/1（Sat）,8（Sat）,15（Sat）,29（Sat）
Fare：Adults 250 yen, Children 130 yen
※Runs approximately every 20 minutes; on Nov. 29, approximately every 40 minutes)
- Fare is per person, per ride. Fares for children under 6, follow Nara Kotsu’s “Bus Fare Categories.”
- Departure and arrival times may be affected by traffic or congestion.
- Payment is by cash or IC transit card only. Season tickets and other passes cannot be used.
| Nara Park Route | The bus circulates from JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station approximately every 20 minutes (*on the 29th, approximately every 40 minutes). Route▼ *The last bus only provides shuttle service from Kasuga Taisha Honden to Kintetsu and JR Nara Stations. It does not stop at other locations. |
