Kasugataisha Shrine
Area
Category
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The Kasugataisha Shrine lies in a primeval forest. The brilliant vermillion edifices beautifully contrast with their surrounding greenery. Going through the first and second Torii gates, you can see many stone lanterns standing on both sides of the approach to the shrine. Going on further, you will reach the main hall. From the gate, a corridor extends to the left and to the right. A great number of lanterns hang from the eaves of the corridor, which are lit twice a year (2/3 and 8/14-15).
When the capital was transferred to Nara in 710, the Fujiwara clan celebrated a mass for the family's tutelary deities, which is considered to be the origin of this shrine.
The shrine was established here in 768. Like the Kofuku-ji Temple, it prospered along with the Fujiwara family even after the capital moved to Kyoto. After the Middle Ages, this belief was prevalent among ordinary people, as shown by the fact that the dignitaries and ordinary people donated various hanging and stone lanterns.
The tutelary deities enshrined here are Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto from Kashima of Ibaraki Prefecture, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto from Katori of Chiba Prefecture, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and Himegami from Hiraoka of Osaka Prefecture.
(10 minutes' walk from the bus stop Kasuga Taisha Omote Sando of Loop Line Bus of the city)
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Events
- Takigi O-Noh A mysterious world lit be firelight
- Embodying history and tradition, and one of Nara’s m…
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- Deer Antler Cutting ceremony
- At the Deer Antler Cutting Grounds within Kasuga Taisha Sh…
- See More
- Enjoy traditional Bugaku and Gagaku court music and dance! Meiji-sai/Bunka no hi Manyo Gagaku-kai
- Held to celebrate the great achievements of the Emperor Me…
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- Magnificent Shinto ritual performing arts and Jidai Gyoretsu (procession of people in historical costumes): Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri
- The Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri is a regular festival of the…
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General Information
- Address
- 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara, 630-8212
- contact details
- +81-742-22-7788
- Fax Number
- 0742-27-2114
- Times
- Opening Hours:
March to October: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
November to February: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
■National Treasure Hall
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
■Kasuga Taisha Shrine Manyo Botanical Garden
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM) - Closed
- ■Treasure Hall: Closed except during three annual special exhibitions.
■Kasuga Taisha Shrine Manyo Botanical Garden
・April-May: Always open
・June-March: Closed on Tuesdays
(Should national holidays fall on a Tuesday, the garden will be closed the following day) - Access
- From JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station:
Take a bus bound for Kasuga Taisha Honden. The ride takes approximately 11-15 minutes. Get off at "Kasuga Taisha Honden," and it’s a short walk from there.
Alternatively, take the city loop bus (outer loop) for about 9-13 minutes. Get off at "Kasuga Taisha Omotesando," and it’s about a 10-minute walk. - Car Park
- Space for 100 vehicles.
Parking fee for cars: 1,000 yen
Parking fee for buses: 3,000 yen - Admission/Worship Fees (Individual)
- Visitors are permitted to move freely about the temple grounds.
Main Hall (Hon-den) Entrance Fee: 500 yen
■Treasure House Entrance Fee:
Adults: 500 yen
University students: 300 yen
High school students: 300 yen
Junior high school students: 200 yen
Elementary school students: 200 yen
■ Kasuga Taisha Shrine Manyo Botanical Garden Entrance Fee:
Adult: 500 yen
Children: 200 yen - Admission/Worship Fees (Group)
- Group fees apply to groups of 20 or more.
■Treasure House Entrance Fee:
Adult: 400 yen
■Kasuga Taisha Shrine Manyo Botanical Garden Entrance Fee:
Adult: 400 yen - Events
- Kasuga Festival (Sarumatsuri): March 13th, 9:00 AM onwards.
Rice-Planting Ritual: March 15th, 11:00 AM onwards.
Mizutani Shrine Chinka-sai (Flower-Placing Festival): April 5th, 10:00 AM onwards.
Tea Offering Ceremony: May 10th, 11:00 AM (For Urasenke School, starts at 10:00 AM).
Takigi O Noh Performance: Third Friday and Saturday of the Month.
Nikku Hajime-shiki narabi ni Kofukuji Kansu Sha Sanshiki (Beginning of the Year Rituals): January 2nd, 10:00 AM onwards.
Kagura Hajime-shiki (Beginning of Kagura Rituals): January 3rd, 11:00 AM onwards.
Gokito Hajime-shiki (Beginning of Prayers Rituals): January 7th, 10:00 AM onwards.
Bugaku Hajime-shiki (Beginning of Bugaku Rituals): Coming of Age Day, 1:00 PM onwards.
Setsubun Mantoro: February Setsubun Day, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Chugen Mantoro: August 14th and 15th, 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three Festival): Mid-October to late November.
Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri: December 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th. - Seasonal Flower Information
- ・Camellia: Early February to early April, Approximately 100 varieties (About 300 trees) within Manyo Botanical Garden garden.
・Japanese andromeda: Late February to mid-March.
・Wisteria: Mid-April to mid-May, Approximately 20 varieties, 200 trees, within Manyo Botanical garden and throughout the precincts. The best time to see the "Sunazuri no Fuji" wisteria, as it is called, is early May.
※The name "Sunazuri no Fuji" comes from the fact that its flower clusters extend over one meter in length by early May and droop to touch the ground, resembling sand pouring down. - National Treasure
- 4 main buildings of shrine and others
- Website
- Remarks
Tip: Every year from January to March, the "Beginner Course in Miko Training to Experience Japanese Tradition" is offered, providing an opportunity to delve into Japanese tradition.
