All the pictures are taken from 24/03/23. There are many cute deer around Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Try to take a picture of them. Also, the shrine has a beautiful Japanese garden with a big tree. There is a peaceful atmosphere around the garden. Don’t go to the shrine too late, as it closes at 5 p.m.
Very pretty path through the woods dotted with deer and even a raven. Did not go inside the inner shrine, as it didn't appear to be free to enter. We explored the exterior and wandered the paths. We took a less traveled back trail to get to a tiny local restaurant instead of back out the path we came.
Kasuga-taisha (春日大社), located in Nara, Japan, is a renowned Shinto shrine with deep historical and cultural significance. Established in 768 by the powerful Fujiwara clan, Kasuga-taisha served as their family shrine and has been closely linked to their influence throughout Japanese history. The shrine is dedicated to four deities who protect the city, the Fujiwara clan, and the nation.
Kasuga-taisha is celebrated for its exquisite architecture and vibrant vermillion buildings, reflecting the classical Shinto style. The shrine’s layout blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment, symbolizing the harmony between humans and nature, a central tenet of Shinto belief. The pathways leading to the shrine are lined with over 2,000 stone lanterns, while another 1,000 bronze lanterns are hung throughout the precincts. These lanterns are lit during the Lantern Festivals in February and August, creating a magical atmosphere.
The shrine is located within Nara Park, home to freely roaming deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shinto tradition. Visitors often feed these gentle creatures, enhancing the shrine’s serene and spiritual ambiance.
Kasuga-taisha is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” Its subsidiary shrines and sacred forests further underscore its spiritual importance. The shrine hosts numerous traditional festivals, such as the Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri, which preserves centuries-old rituals and performances. Kasuga-taisha remains a vital site for worship, cultural heritage, and a testament to the enduring influence of Shinto practices in Japan.
A beautiful shrine inside the nature forest, to reach this shrine, have to walk deep into the Nara park or take private car or bus. Here full of lantern and deer, the shrine need to pay for entry. Along the way also got many deers
