Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) or simply Kasuga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Nara City. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. The shrine is located at 160 Kasuganocho, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, Japan.
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| Kasuga Taisha |
Kasuga Taisha details
According to legend, the origins of Kasuga Taisha trace back to 768 CE, when the deity Takemikazuchi, the first kami of Kasuga Taisha, is said to have arrived on a white deer at the summit of Mount Mikasa. This kami is believed to have journeyed from Kashima Jingu Shrine to safeguard the Nara region. The shrine gained significant recognition during the Heian period due to the influence of the Fujiwara family and Empress Shōtoku.
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| Kasuga Taisha - Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
From 1871 to 1946, Kasuga Shrine was officially classified as one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), placing it among the highest-ranking government-supported shrines.
The road to Kasuga Taisha
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| Since Kasuga Taisha is in Nara Park, it is not a big surprise that there are plenty of deer in its grounds |
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| Sake donated to the shrine |
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| One of the torii gate of Kasuga Taisha |
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| 春日大社 |
Established in 768 CE and reconstructed multiple times over the centuries, Kasuga Shrine is closely associated with the Fujiwara family. Its interior is renowned for its numerous bronze and stone lanterns illuminating the shrine's path.
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| Kasuga Taisha's un-gyo |
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| Kasuga Taisha's a-gyo |
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| The interesting chozuya with a statue of a deer |
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| Numerous stone lanterns can be seen lined up going to the shrine |
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| Memorial Plaques |
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| The path to Kasuga Taisha's Southern Gate |
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| Kasuga Taisha Nammon (South Gate) |
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| The map of the shrine grounds |
The architectural style known as Kasuga-zukuri is named after the shrine's honden (main hall). The shrine's Torii gate is among the oldest in the Shinto tradition and has influenced the design of Torii gates throughout Japan. Both Kasuga Shrine and the adjacent Kasugayama Primeval Forest are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" listing.
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| More stone lanterns |
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| The info board about the different deities enshrined at Kasuga Taisha |
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| You can see a bronze statue of Nara City's mascot - Sento-kun at the ticket booth |
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| Kasuga Taisha's Honden or main shrine is a National Treasure |
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| Honsha-Osugi - This Japanese Cedar is believed to be 1000 years old |
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| One of the many small shrines inside Kasuga Taisha grounds |
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| You can see deer-shaped ema displayed on the shrine grounds |
Visitors to Kasuga Shrine pass through Nara Park where the deer are considered sacred messengers of the Shinto deities residing in the shrine and its surrounding mountains. This connection between the shrine and the deer is depicted in various artworks from the Nambokucho Period. The approach to the shrine is lined with over three thousand stone lanterns, and the nearby Man'yo Botanical Garden adds to the area’s cultural significance.
Fujinami-no-ya
During the Setsubun Mantoro (February 3) and Chugen Mantoro (August 14–15) festivals, all three thousand shrine lanterns are illuminated simultaneously. Setsubun Mantoro celebrates the transition from winter to spring, while Chugen Mantoro marks the shift from summer to fall, both corresponding to the Obon and Setsubun holidays. At these festivals, attendees often write their wishes on ema and attach them to the lanterns before lighting them. Additionally, throwing dried beans during these events is believed to drive away bad luck.
More photos inside Kasuga Taisha grounds
On March 13, the Kasuga Matsuri Festival features traditional Japanese dances such as gagaku and bugaku performed by Shinto women, along with Yamato-mai dances from the Heian and Nara periods. The festival also includes a parade featuring a "sacred" horse and traditional attire from the Heian to Edo periods, along with authentic kagura dance performances accompanied by dengaku music.
The Kasuga Wakamiya Festival is held at the Wakamiya Jinja shrine from December 15 to 18 each year. The festival’s purpose is to prevent illness and encourage new growth for the coming spring. Similar to the Kasuga Matsuri, it includes kagura performances and a traditional attire procession.
Team Nicerio visits Kasuga Taisha
My family and I visited Kasuga Taisha on January 11, 2023, marking my 436th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. We had almost gone to Kasuga Taisha during our first trip to Nara Prefecture with our Japanese family on January 3, 2015, but we had to skip it because it was getting dark and we needed to return to Osaka Prefecture. This time, I made sure to include Kasuga Taisha in our itinerary, and we were finally able to explore the extensive shrine grounds. While the shrine offers goshuin, the COVID restrictions meant they only had pre-made versions available. I prefer having the monks write the goshuin in my goshuincho, so I opted to skip it for now and plan to return once the restrictions are lifted. Overall, our visit was quite memorable, as it allowed me to experience another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan.
Kasuga Taisha Admission Fee
There are different rates for different areas and tours of the shrine.
Main Shrine (Omiya) Worship Area:
No admission fee is required.
Special Visit to the Main Shrine:
500 yen (700 yen starting October 1, 2024)
Kasuga Five Great Dragon Gods Tour:
1,200 yen
Tour of the 15 Wakamiya Shrines:
1,500 yen
Tour of the 9 Mizutani Shrines:
1,500 yen
National Treasure Hall Admission Fees:
Adults: 500 yen
University and high school students: 300 yen
Junior high and elementary school students: 200 yen
Manyo Botanical Garden Admission Fees:
Adults: 500 yen
Children: 200 yen
Kasuga Taisha Operating Hours
Kasuga Taisha is open from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Why visit Kasuga Taisha?
Visiting Kasuga Taisha offers a unique blend of historical, architectural, and natural attractions. Established in 768 CE and associated with the influential Fujiwara family, the shrine is renowned for its Kasuga-zukuri architecture and ancient Torii gates. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is celebrated for its cultural significance. The picturesque setting, featuring over 3,000 stone lanterns and a nearby deer park with sacred deer, adds to its charm. The shrine also hosts vibrant festivals like Setsubun Mantoro and Chugen Mantoro. Despite current COVID restrictions affecting handwritten goshuin availability, the shrine remains a significant destination for its spiritual heritage and natural beauty. Aside from this, Kasuga Taisha is a must-visit if you collect the goshuin of historic temples of Japan.
Getting to Kasuga Taisha
To get to Kasuga Taisha from Kansai International Airport, follow these steps:
1. Take the JR Limited Express “Haruka”:
- From Kansai International Airport, board the JR Limited Express "Haruka" bound for Kyoto or Osaka.
- Ride the train to Shin-Osaka Station.
2. Transfer to the JR Nara Line:
- At Shin-Osaka Station, transfer to the JR Kyoto Line and travel to Osaka Station.
- From Osaka Station, take the JR Yamatoji Line (also known as the JR Nara Line) directly to Nara Station.
3. Take a Bus or Walk to Kasuga Taisha:
- From Nara Station, you can take a local bus (like the Nara Kotsu Bus) to the Kasuga Taisha stop. The bus ride takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can walk to Kasuga Taisha from Nara Station. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes and takes you through the scenic areas of Nara Park.
In total, the journey may take around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on transfer times and travel conditions.
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