What other travelers are saying about Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Enormous shrine and a beautiful one. Since I only had a few minutes because I had to go back to my hotel to check-out, I had to be rather quick and I regret not having visited the shrine the day before when I arrived at Nara with more time to spare because it totally deserves a more thorough visit. Also, very photogenic.
This coming from a tourist with no particular knowledge about the shrine (again, I would have liked to have more free time here to learn about the place had I known it was this amazing).
When I visited Kasuga-taisha Shrine in Nara, I was struck by the mysterious atmosphere, where the elegance of the nobility and the bustle of the common people merged in a single air. The corridors of the shrine are graceful...
At the same time, the approaches to the shrine are decorated with lanterns, deer roam the area.
Note: This is a sacred place, so be polite and quiet 🤫
There’s a bit of a walk through the forest to get here but it’s well worth it. Keep following the path of stone lanterns to get here, admiring the hundreds of deer you’ll see along the way. Once you arrive at the shrine, you’ll be greeted by some of the most stunning architecture imaginable. This shrine’s unique feature is that it has tons of lanterns. The dark room with the lit lanterns was very cool! There is also a tree within the shrine that is said to be over a thousand years old. There’s a lot to see and do, so I highly recommend a visit to this shrine.
The temple is a bit of a hike from the train station, up hill with a few steps as well. But it is very beautiful and worth it.
I came during a rainy day, so I didn't travel deeper. Will come back again for sure.
Amazing shrine. Filled with lantern offerings me and old. The walk up is also filled with stone lanterns. The walk through the park is magical with the ancient forest surrounding the park, filled with deer and large overgrown lanterns is cooler than the broiled park below.
When you stone at the shrine there is a lovely cooling spot as well as the usual offering places and offerings for prayers. On entry to the paid section you find many lanterns. Most be amazing when they light these for festivals.
As with all Shinto temples is an amazing blend of ritual and offering. Was fairly quiet and could wander in peace apart from the room filled with Karen’s and mirrors which got a bit selfie crazed. Mostly bustling Europeans.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine is renowned for its association with the Fujiwara family, one of the most powerful clans during the Heian period in Japan. It is famous for its hundreds of bronze lanterns that have been donated by worshippers, which line its pathways.
Visitors can reach Kasuga Taisha Shrine by taking a bus from Nara Station to the Kasuga Taisha Honden (main hall) stop. Alternatively, it's a pleasant walk through Nara Park from either Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station, taking about 30-40 minutes.
Entrance to the shrine grounds is free. However, there is a fee to enter the Main Hall and the Manyo Botanical Garden, which is adjacent to the shrine.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine is located near several other attractions in Nara Park, including the Nara National Museum, Todai-ji Temple with its giant Buddha statue, and the Nara Deer Park, where visitors can interact with friendly wild deer.
