Kasuga Taisha
About
📿 Goshuin Info
Hours
9:00–16:30
Fee
¥500
Direct-write
Available
Pre-written
Available
History
Kasuga Taisha is among the most ancient and venerable shrines representing Nara! At the time of the transfer of the Heijo capital, it was founded as the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan, welcoming the four deities of Kashima, Katori, Hiraoka, and Hiei. The fantastical scenery woven by over one thousand stone lanterns and hanging lanterns truly speaks to the beauty of this sacred realm. The sight of sacred deer freely roaming the shrine grounds is a distinctive atmosphere found nowhere else. Particularly beautiful during the wisteria flower season, this symbolic shrine of Nara has been beloved by many people since ancient times.
Benefits
Goshuin Gallery
Photos
Tips
参道に約2,000基ある石燈籠のうち、竿部分に「春日大明神」と刻まれたものが15基だけ存在します。大半は「春日社」表記なので、文字を確認しながら歩くと発見の楽しみがあります。
夫婦大國社・若宮神社・金龍神社の御朱印は夫婦大國社でのみ受け付けており、本殿前の授与所とは別です。境内の摂末社は62社あるため、全種類希望の場合は授与所の場所を事前に把握しておくとよいです。
「若宮十五社めぐり」は夫婦大國社で受付してから15社を順番に巡る参拝コースで、所要約1時間です。受付が夫婦大國社にあることを知らないと始め方がわからず素通りしがちです。
Visit Notes
We paid the separate entrance fee (¥700) to see more of the lanterns, and we thought it was worth it. A lot less busy than Tōdai-ji, but still a decent amount of people at 11:30am. I’d say there were ~10 others in the paid area with us, but a lot more outside of it.
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