Contents
Including Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the magnificent shrine pavilions, highlights, and lunches in the area.
Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are two must-see tourist attractions that should not be missed when visiting Nara.
The Kasuga Taisha Shrine has been located in the magnificent Nara Park for 1,300 years, and is dedicated to the “peace and prosperity of the nation and its people.
Four great deities are enshrined at the foot of Mount Kasuga and Mount Mikasayama.
The main shrines in the Kasuga style, from the first to the fourth halls, are lined up in front of the beautiful vermilion shrine pavilions. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is registered as a World Heritage Site.
Take the Nara Kotsu Bus (bound for Kasuga Taisha Hon-den) from JR Kintetsu [Nara Station] and get off at Kasuga Taisha Hon-den.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine built in Nara Park
Nara Park is famous for its deer. Nara Park is home to approximately 1,300 wild deer. Deer in Nara Park are considered to be divine messengers of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and are very carefully protected. They are known as “Nara’s deer” and are designated as a national natural treasure.
They are cute and friendly, but sometimes they may attack you.
On the way to reach Kasuga Taisha Shrine, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll while watching a herd of cute deer nearby.
Ninotorii Gate and cute deer at Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Next to the approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine is Hibino, a large open field where you can enjoy watching deer playing.
Then there is a long pathway on the approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine surrounded by greenery, through which you will see the Ninotorii Gate.
Within the precincts of the shrine are a group of huge yew trees that are thought to have existed since time immemorial. In front of the gate, we were greeted by many deer.
At the end of the torii gate, there is an unusual deer-shaped water basin. The reason for the deer is that during the Nara period, the gods descended to Mt. Mikasa (Mt. Kasuga) riding on a white deer. As a result, deer in Nara came to be treated with great importance as sacred animals.
The South Gate of Kasuga Taisha Shrine (designated as an Important Cultural Property)」
The main shrine of Kasuga Taisha is surrounded on all sides by a corridor. This is the 12-meter-high South Gate located on the south side of the corridor.
Entering the South Gate, we are heading toward the main shrine. Even before passing through the South Gate, I felt a sense of sacred air flowing out from behind the gate. We entered the gate with a sense of purity.
To the reception desk for Special Worship where you can see the main shrine up close
The main hall of Kasuga Taisha Shrine is located near the front entrance of the shrine. Usually, worshippers pray in front of the Heiden/Buden, but this time, I applied for “Special Worship.
After paying the first fee (500 yen), I was allowed to visit the shrine through the middle gate in front of the main hall. The magnificent vermilion-lacquered Naka-mon Gate and Toromon Gate.
Reception hours: 9:00-16:00
About the main shrine and deities of Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Kasuga Taisha Shrine was founded when Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto was moved to Mt. Mikasa (Mt. Kasuga) to protect the Heijo-kyo Capital.
Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto is a deity that appears in Japanese mythology, and was born when Izanagi and Izanami created the country. He is regarded as the god of swords and thunder.
He played an important role in the “Izumo no Kuni Yuzuri” (the handing over of the land of Izumo) in Japanese mythology, and was the most powerful god who succeeded in handing over the land to the sovereign, Okuninushi-no-Mikoto.
Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto is the deity of Kashima Jingu Shrine (Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture), the head shrine of Kashima Shrine. He is also called God of Kashima.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine was built in 768 to enshrine the four deities.
”Far Worshiping Place at Ukigumo Peak” Praying to the top of the mountain where God descended from the sky.
The “Ukigumo-no-mineyohaisho” is a place to offer prayers to the top of Mikanayama, where Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto rode a white deer to the heavens. The pathway is accessed via the east corridor.
Walk up the gently sloping corridor. There are no people around, but you are surrounded by a sacred air and the good smell of wood.
The sacred crest of Kasuga Taisha Shrine is the “descending wisteria,” and there is a famous mountain wisteria on the east corridor side, which is in full bloom from late April to mid-May.
You can offer prayers to the summit of Mt. Mikana at this far-off place of worship.
Ukigumo peak, which has been revered since before the main shrine of Kasuga Taisha Shrine was built, gives off a special sacred atmosphere.
Large cedar tree, sacred tree of Kasuga Taisha Shrine
In front of the main shrine, there is a large cedar about 1,000 years old. It has a very strong life force, and its breath (ibuki) can be seen extending from its root and penetrating the roof of Naokai-den (an important cultural property).
The sacred tree of Kasuga-taisha Shrine is depicted as a juvenile tree in the “Kasuga Gongen Kenki Emaki” painted in the Kamakura Period, about 700 years ago.
“Ushirodono-Massha” A sacred shrine
This is the rear hall located directly behind the main hall. The gods who protect the gate, food safety, and various other gods related to daily life, such as those who guard the gate and protect the safety of the food, are all present here.
”Fujinami-no-ya” many famous lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine
There are many lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. There are about 3,000 lanterns that have been dedicated to the shrine since the Heian period (794-1185). 3 times a year, on Setsubun in February and August 14 and 15, all the lanterns are lit and the Kasuga Mantoro Festival is held.
The beautiful golden lanterns are lined up in a row. It must be fantastic to see so many lanterns lit at night. I can imagine a scene that would be very suitable for a summer night.
Cute deer ema (votive picture) and wisteria trellis at Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Near the entrance to the Keigamon gate, there is a trellis of wisteria that grows more than 1 meter long in early May, creating a gorgeous scene. It is said that the wisteria grows so long that it can be sanded down to the sand. The tree is said to be over 700 years old.
Cute deer ema , which is unique to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, are lined up in a row. If you pray on the ema of the divine deer, you are sure to receive good luck.
Fifteen Wakamiya Shrine tour
Visitors can tour the fifteen Wakamiya shrines, which are dedicated to the deities that protect people from various difficulties they may encounter during their lifetime.
The main deity, Wakamiya-sama, is the son of Amanoko-no-Mikoto of the third hall and goddess of the fourth hall.
The Wakamiya-sama is enshrined as the god of food, clothing, shelter, learning, fortune, and inspiration.
“Married Couple Shrine” God of good marriages and conjugal bliss
It is the god of good marriage, marital bliss, and protection of longevity. This is the only shrine in Japan that enshrines a married couple, Okuni-sama.
Cute heart-shaped ema are dedicated in a row, as they are believed to bring good luck for couples.
The reception desk for the Fifteen Wakamiya Shrines Tour (9:00-15:00) is at the Married Couple Shrine.
”Kinryu Shrine” God of luck and fortune
This is the Kinryu Shrine, which protects you for good luck and fortune. It is said that Emperor Godaigo prayed here for peace under the heaven.
There are other deities as well, but I would like to visit them more slowly next time.
Access to Kasuga Taisha Shrine
From JR Kintetsu “Nara Station”, it is convenient to get off at “Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae” bus stop. From Kintetsu “Nara” station, it takes about 25 minutes on foot.
【The main hall of worship.】
March – October 6：30～17:30
November – February 7：00～17:00
【Special worship time】9:00〜16:00
Lunch near Nara Park
I ate sushi wrapped in a persimmon leaf, which was born in Yoshino, Nara. Kakinoha Sushi Izusa is located near Nara Park. It is a long-established restaurant that has been in business for 100 years.
There are several other restaurants in the vicinity.
I had the tempura set (1,600 yen tax included) on the second floor with a view of the outside. It was quite hearty and included warm soba noodles.
The mackerel and salmon kakinoha sushi was very tasty, with firm meat and just the right amount of vinegar. It gave me a good appetite and helped me recover from my fatigue. I enjoyed the traditional taste.
