Kasuga Taisha Shrine, stone lantern

The information about Kasuga Taisha Shrine is presented here. Kasuga Taisha Shrine was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1998 as a “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. Takemikaduchi-no-Mikoto, the deity of Kasuga taisha Shrine, is said to have ridden a white deer from Kashima (Ibaraki Prefecture), and the deer are considered to be the divine messengers of Kasuga-taisha Shrine. In fact, there are more than 1,000 Japanese deer in the area around Kasuga taisha Shrine and Nara Park, which have been designated as natural treasures. There are simple stalls and souvenir shops selling deer crackers around Nara Park.

• Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions
• Shrine History
• Shrine Highlights

【Kasuga Taisha Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), Kasuga Taisha Omotesando bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot), Kintetsu Nara Station (about 15 minutes on foot), JR Nara Station (about 25 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 6:00-18:00 (April-September), 6:30-17:00 (October-March)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Free (Honden Entrance Fee: 500 yen)

【Kasuga Taisha Shrine History】

The area where Kasuga taisha Shrine (春日大社) is located is said to have been a sacred land centered on Mt. Mikasa-yama (Mt. Kasuga-yama) since ancient times. Incidentally, during the Heian period (794-1185), the Imperial Court issued a decree (daijokanpu) prohibiting hunting and felling of trees, and the area has been preserved as a virgin forest to this day. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is said to have originated about 1,300 years ago when Takemikaduchi-no-Mikoto, the deity of Kashima Jingu Shrine in Hitachi Province (Ibaraki Prefecture), was invoked at Ukigumo-no-mine, the summit of Mt. Mikasa-yama. Then, in 768, Fujiwara no Nagate built a shrine building at the present site by order of the 48th Emperor Shoutoku, and enshrined Futsunushi-no-Omikoto from Katori Jingu Shrine in Shimofusa Province (Chiba Prefecture), Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and Hime-Gami from Hiraoka Shrine in Kawachi Province (Osaka Prefecture), together with Takemikaduchi-no-Mikoto. Incidentally, once every 20 years, Kasuga Taisha Shrine undergoes “Shikinen-Zotai” to rebuild the shrine building, and the number of times is 60. From 2015 to 2016, the 60th Shikinen-Zotai reconstruction was held. It is said that Reitai-sai, called Kasuga-sai (Kasuga-matsuri) or Saru-matsuril, began in 849 or 850. Kasuga-sai was considered as one of the three major imperial festivals along with Aoi-matsuri of Kamosha (Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine) in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and Iwashimizu-sai of Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. In 850, Takemikaduchi-no-Mikoto and Futsunushi-no-Omikoto received the highest rank of Shoichi, and in 940, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto also received the highest rank of Shoichi. In 927, Kasuga Taisha Shrine was listed as a Myojin Taisha shrine in the Engi-shiki Jinmyocho. In 1038, Fujiwara no Yorimichi donated the Ruri lantern. In 1135, Wakamiya Shrine was built and Amenooshikumone-no-mikoto was enshrined. Amenooshikumone-no-mikoto is said to be the child god of Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and Hime-Gami. The following year, 1136, Fujiwar ano Tadamichi started Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri to pray for a good harvest and peace for all people. In 1136, Fujiwara no Tadamichi donated a Yunoki-type stone lantern, said to be the second oldest stone lantern in Japan. As the Fujiwara clan prospered during the Heian period (794-1185), Kasuga Taisha Shrine also prospered. Kasuga Taisha Shrine also had a close relationship with Kofuku-ji Temple, the clan temple of the Fujiwara clan, and there was a time when Kofuku-ji Temple controlled Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Incidentally, the unification of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofuku-ji Temple was promoted as the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism progressed. It is said that Hoko, Utsushidono, Kamadodono, Nan-mon Gate, Naishi-mon Gate, Seijo-mon Gate, and Keiga-mon Gate were built in the Nanbokucho period (1337-1392), Cyu-mon Gate, Higashi-Goro, Nishi-Goro, and Kita-Goro were built in 1613; and Honden (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th shrines) was built in 1863. In 1871, the name of the shrine was changed to Kasuga Shrine due to the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism and Haibutsu-kishaku, and in 1946, the name was changed to Kasuga Taisha Shrine due to the abolition of the modern shrine rating system. In 1932, Manyo Botanical Garden was opened with a donation from the 124th Emperor Showa.
*reference・・・Kasuga Taisha Shrine website

【Kasuga Taisha Shrine Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Honden (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th shrines, Main Shrine, 本殿, National Treasure) were built in 1863 during the Shikinen-Zotai. Honden are built in the Kasuga-zukuri style, which is a representative architectural style of Shinto shrines. The 1st shrine enshrines Takemikaduchi-no-Mikoto, the 2nd enshrines Futsunushi-no-Omikoto, the 3rd enshrines Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, and the 4th enshrines Hime-Gami.
★Nan-mon (Nan-mon Gate, 南門, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been built between 1382 and 1385. Nan-mon is about 12 meters high and is the largest gate in Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
★There are about 2,000 stone lanterns (石燈籠), about 1,000 hanging lanterns (釣燈籠), and a total of about 3,000 lanterns. About 2,000 stone lanterns are erected on the side of the approach to Honden from Ichi-no-torii. About 1,000 hanging lanterns are hung in Higashi-Kairo (corridor), Nishi-Kairo, and Go–Kairo around Honden.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine Highlights

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Setsubun-Mantoro (Lantern Festival, 節分万燈籠) is held every year on Setsubun. At Setsubun Mantoro, about 3,000 lanterns (2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 hanging lanterns) are lit on the temple grounds. Before the lights are lit, a bugaku performance is dedicated.
★Kasuga-sai (Kasuga-matsuri, 春日祭) is held on every year on March 13th. At Kasuga-sai, the imperial envoys are invited by the court to pray for the safety of the nation and the prosperity of the people.
★Chugen-Mantoro (Lantern Festival, 中元万燈籠) is held every year on August 14 and 15. At Setsubun Mantoro, about 3,000 lanterns (2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 hanging lanterns) are lit on the temple grounds. On the 14th, a bugaku performance and on the 15th, a kagura performance will be dedicated.
★Une-Matsuri (釆女祭) is held every year in mid-autumn. In the Kangensen-no-Gi (管絃の船の儀), two kangensen boats sail around Sarusawa Pond while gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) is played, and Hanaougi is thrown into the pond.
★Kasuga-Wakamiya-Onmatsuri is held every year from December 15th to 18th. At Owatari-shiki, hi-no-tsukai, miko, bacho-no-choji, keiba, yabusame, isase-uma, no-dachi, yamato-zamurai, daimyo-gyoretsu, etc. parade from in front of the Nara Prefectural Government Office through Kintetsu Nara Station, JR Nara Station and Sanjo Street to Wakamiya Shrine’s Otabisho.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see wisteria (藤) is from late April to early May. About 200 wisteria trees of 20 varieties, from early to late blooming, are planted in Manyo Botanical Garden, around Naoraiden and other places. The name of Sunazuri-no-Fuji, which is said to be over 700 years old, comes from the fact that the flower cluster extends over 1 meter and is rubbed by the sand.
★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is from late March to early April. Although there are not many cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, which are said to be 100 years old, are planted by Nan-mon. The weeping cherry trees are said to be beautiful in combination with the vermilion-painted Nan-mon and stone lanterns.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-742-22-7788

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Kasuga Taisha Shrine is the route to Todai-ji Temple. Deer live in the area of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todai-ji Temple, and a walk with them is recommended. It is also recommended to walk around Nara-machi, which is located to the southwest.

【Remarks (access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, be sure to check the latest information.