Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha (春日大社), Nara’s most famous shrine, was established alongside the capital and dedicated to protecting the city. It was also the shrine of the powerful Fujiwara clan during the Nara and Heian periods. Kasuga Taisha’s distinctive shrine architecture features sloping roofs extending over the buildings. The shrine is renowned for its lanterns, with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshippers. These lanterns are lit during two annual Lantern Festivals, in February and August.

Beyond the free offering hall, visitors can explore the paid inner area and view the main sanctuary. The shrine grounds also feature smaller shrines, including Wakamiya Shrine, known for its dance festival, and Meoto Daikokusha, a shrine for marriage blessings. Don’t miss the Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden, filled with plants from Japan’s oldest poem collection, or the Kasuga Taisha Museum with its fascinating relics.