The vermillion shrine buildings of Kasuga Taisha stand beautifully amidst lush cedar trees, a true symbol of traditional Japanese aesthetics. The sacred approach is lined with stone and hanging lanterns, creating a magical ambiance at night.
Shrines and Temples
World Heritage
Highlights
The beauty of the vermillion shrine buildings
The sacred atmosphere of the approach
The magical scenery of stone and hanging lanterns
The natural beauty of the Kasuga Primeval Forest
The numerous national treasures and important cultural properties
From Kintetsu Nara Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line and JR Nara Station on the JR West Kansai Main Line and Sakurai Line: Take a Nara Kotsu bus bound for "Kasuga Taisha Hondensha" and get off at the terminal stop "Kasuga Taisha Hondensha". Then, it's a short walk.
Alternatively, take the Nara Kotsu bus (inner city loop, outer route) and get off at "Kasuga Taisha Omotesando", followed by a short walk.
It's also possible to walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station. Show route
Op.Hours
6:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Cld.Days
None
Fee
Free entry to the grounds
Special viewing: 500 yen for adults (700 yen from October 2024)
INFO
The grounds are home to a population of deer, revered as sacred animals. Many shops sell deer crackers (*shika senbei*), but when feeding them, please place the crackers on the ground instead of handing them directly to the deer. Remember, these are wild animals, so avoid getting too close or touching them. For everyone's safety, please maintain a respectful distance while observing them.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine, founded in 768 as the guardian shrine of the Fujiwara clan, is a registered World Heritage site as part of "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara." The vast grounds, encompassing approximately 300,000 tsubo (approximately 991,736 square meters) including the sacred mountain, contain numerous national treasures and important cultural properties. The vermillion shrine buildings, beautifully set amidst verdant cedar groves, are a quintessential symbol of traditional Japanese beauty. The sacred approach is lined with stone and hanging lanterns, creating a magical ambiance at night. The "Manto-ro" event in February and August, when all the lanterns are lit, is a spectacular sight not to be missed. The shrine grounds also include the Kasuga Primeval Forest, offering a harmonious blend of nature and history, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage enhancing the beauty throughout the year. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's foremost shrines, a fusion of history and nature.