This time I visited only the main shrine. The deer take a nap after passing through the first torii gate. The fawn with a little "Kanoko pattern" is cute. You can feel the virgin forest with your whole body when you pass through the torii of 2. The main shrine also has a paid area. "Ema" is a lucky charm that grants wishes. Write your wishes on the deer-shaped Ema.

Beautiful place in the center of Nara. The way up to the shrine was beautiful and quiet, the deers are friendly and lovely. It was worth it to buy the 500 yen ticket to get inside and take a look around and to feel the serenity. The shrine itself was breathtaking and we were even lucky enough to have witnessed a Japanese wedding that took place in the shrine, it was truly unique and amazing.

Shinto shrine with a ton of stone lanterns on its path. The deer are not as aggressive compared to the center of Nara Park.

Definitely try to get a bicycle or an E bike when going through to this temple, although the tree lined path full of curious deers is a wonderful walk. One you're at the gate, there is a small walk through the forest to various other shrines

My personal favourite temple i visited in Japan. It's really wonderful, looks like straight out of a ghibli movie. It was really mesmerizing. I felt like i was inside a fantasy novel. Magical. It's even more wonderous than the deers. I don't understand why people visiting Nara never talk about this temple. The forest before entering the temple area made the enterance more magnificent. The stone lanterns look really old with the mold and chipped body. It was perfectly beautiful. I can't describe it good enough. Even the photos can't really bring out the feeling i felt.

Kasuga Taisha is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. It was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan - one of the Japan's most powerful family during Nara and Heian Periods. Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshippers (temple has more than 3000 of them). Hundreds of bronze lanterns are hanging from the buildings and hundreds of stone lanterns line up on the way leading to the shrine. Apparently, the lanterns are lit only 3 days a year during Lantern Festivals. Now however visitors may admire some of the lit lanterns inside one of the halls that is pitched black (on purpose) so that the visitors can see how the lanterns would look like during the Festivals. Kasuga Taisha Shrine (inner area) is open from 09:00 – 16:00. Entrance fee (Oct 2023) was 500 ¥.

The Kasuga Shrine is within walking distance from the Todai-ji Temple and to the Nara JR Station. I did not get to go inside the temple because there was a ceremony going on but the place was packed - mainly with locals. However, the shrine really is know for what it looked to my like several thousand lanterns, which make for a very unique atmosphere. Absolutely gorgeous place. If you are going to Nara to see the Todai-ji, then take some extra time to check this place.

Very beautiful location with lots to see. The grounds during the fall are filled with brilliant colors that enhance the lanterns and the natural moss that makes the entire experience epic. The deer can be a lot of fun too. They seem to know how to bow!

Nice shrine tucked away at the corner of Nara. Entry is free but there are shops that you can buy little trinkets and amulets. We took around 30 mins to walk here from nara park. You can also see deers along the way.

Kasuga Taisha is at the end of the heritage site walk and is well worth it. Do buy the tickets and go inside and allow yourself enough time to dwell and soak in the atmosphere of this ancient place. Just a tip - once you exit, there is a walk up the hill through many small shrines. Go to the end and double back. Don’t take any of the side tracks. We took one and it put us outside the area into a neighborhood

A lovely and quiet shrine deep into Nara Park. This was our first stop when visiting Nara. We took the bus from the train station into the park as close to Kasuga-taisha, and then walked the path to the shrine. Walking among the stone lanterns covered in moss felt like a bit of a fairy tale. Our visit to the shrine was a little shorter than planned, on account of a single tour group that were yelling and shouting all over the place, and not engaging with their surroundings quietly and respectfully, as one would expect in Japan (this may be the only place/time we saw this). We never found the area with a sample of the lanterns lit, which was disappointing. But that's no fault of the shrine - just our ability to navigate it and loss of patience with certain types of tourists.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a prominent and historic shrine in Nara, Japan. The shrine's unique feature is its thousands of hanging lanterns, creating a captivating and serene atmosphere, especially when they are lit during special occasions. We even saw a monk praying in one of the shrines. That’s was pretty cool to experience!

Great place to take photos. The walk up is decorated with stone lanterns and deer walking around. The buildings themselves are beautiful to see.

Really beautiful forest surrounding the shrine. A magical feel to it. Aspects remind me of Angkor Watt. Tue deer wander throughout the monuments, trees and pathways. The tree roots are stunning with the intricate patterns they make. The shrine itself is a paid entry but the best parts are probably the pathways around it. It's also nice that not many tourists go there so it's not too busy.

Lantern Shrine. Full of stone and wooden lanternes dueing the path to shrine and many more metals lanterns inside. Most people climb to the shrine and just take pictures from outside. Take tickets and get in. An amazing surprise is waiting for you: A dark room with full of lightened lanterns. Mesmerizing...

Beautiful shrine by the end of Nara Park where tons of deer were around. Quite a way to walk, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The majority of the woods are off-limits to visitors, so better not walk into them while the structures are not supposed to be touched as well.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara, Japan, offers a mesmerizing blend of history and natural beauty. The vermilion-lacquered structures surrounded by lush greenery create a serene atmosphere. The iconic lantern-lined paths, especially during the lantern festivals, evoke a mystical ambiance. The shrine's integration with the adjacent forest adds to its spiritual allure. The intricate details of the architecture and the centuries-old stone lanterns contribute to a sense of timelessness. Visitors can also witness the resident deer, considered sacred messengers, enhancing the unique experience. While the crowd during peak times may slightly diminish the tranquility, Kasuga Taisha Shrine remains a must-visit destination for those seeking cultural richness and scenic splendor.

On my holiday I've seen some beautiful temples but this has been the best for me by far due to its best size, it's easy accessibility but steeped in a rich history being still the oldest original free standing timber temples in the world with over 1000 years of history and still be in this immaculate condition. Loved it and highly recommend a visit to this rich cultural area to the Japanese people. It's a little off the tourist track but with it.

A beautiful Horyuji Temple. The wooden architecture of the temple is amazing. This temple is a cultural treasure of Japan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the oldest wooden buildings in the world. There are very few foreign tourists, I honestly don't know why, but you should visit this beautiful place at least once in your life. Allow at least 2 hours for the tour. It is definitely a place you will want to visit again.

It's the oldest preserved wooden temple complex in the world, definitely worth to see. The two pagodas are the main attraction, but the gate with the 2 guardians is nice and all the surrounding area with all the other historical buildings, park and museum (exhibits dating back to the 6th century, mostly statues) are beautiful. I suggest you to follow the tour guide inside the brochure that you get with the ticket, It makes you explore all the interests systematically, so you do not miss anything. I would reserve at least 3 hours (including a 1 hour visit inside the museum) to explore and appreciate the soul of this place. It's about 30 minutes walk from the train station.

The place is interesting, and the museum collection was mind blowing (don’t miss it). But the amount of school groups marching all over around was so enormous that it was hard to enjoy any of it. I think this has to be regulated somehow :)

It's fantastic place where you can feel the history. Exhibition of statues and other treasures was amazing and very interesting. It's great place for history lovers💕

This was a very nice experience. There are three different attractions. It allowed us to explore some really cool parts of history. It was not as busy as other shrines are temples. I would recommend others to visit.

One of my absolute favorite shrines. Some excellent examples of ancient architecture and it’s far away from Nara so you can escape the crowds. Some of the oldest wooden structures on the planet and one of the shrine that kept its style throughout the years. Don’t miss it.

Horyuji temple is one of the oldest temples in Japan. Because Nara prefecture is older capital than Kyoto. Horyuji temple have a lot of Japanese national tresures. Five stories pagoda is the oldest wood made building. Any other, octagonal pagoda, tall and smart budda, and big wood gate with twin macho kings called NIOH. I'd like to recommend Horyuji and Nara city for sightseeing than Kyoto city.

Historic Buddhist temple..oldest wooden building still standing in Japan if not the world. Not Disneyland if that's what you're looking for..but a place for a bit of peace and contemplation.

Little harder to get to without the vehicle but it’s worth the excursion away from downtown Nara. The main temple on the ground is 1,300 years old and recognized as world’s oldest wooden building.

Unesco heritage complex of temples and pagoda. Alight at Horyuji train station on the Nara line. Definitely worth a visit.

This place was so great ! Full of history. You can call and ask for a free guide. They are volunteers and love so much the history and culture of Japan. My guide was the best. He could speak very well English and was so nice ! It’s free so you can bring them a bottle of water or the. To visit 3 places in the temple it is 1500¥. But with the guide you can visit for over 2.5 hours. It is worth it.

Better visit during weekdays when kids are at school as on the weekends there are school excursions, many many of them. Still nice historical buildings although they look very well maintained. If you’re interested, there is a Pokémon spot on the way between the train station and the temple lol

A little known part of Nara that sees considerably fewer visitations from the tourist spots in the city center, as a result what you’ve got is a surreal and quiet expanse of land and the oldest wooden structure in the world! It’s a beautiful place to take photos and just take a walk while reimagining what the mindset of Prince Shotoku who was known to have prayed in this temple and is renowned for the formulation of Japan’s first constitution and eventual spread of Buddhism which was imported from China.

I wonder if some monk of the temple liked BMW. So cool a temple, I’d seen in Ikaruga.

This is a "must see" complex. Don't be in a hurry as it is very large. Preferably, hike in. There are many tracks getting you to-and-from the site but, if hiking or cycling isn't your preferred mode, you can always drive here or take the bus.Autumn ( October to December) is the best time as the colors are awesome.

Shouryakuji is the ancient temple which was built in 992 on the Bodaisen mountain in Nara. It is out of major tourist routes and may not be well known. Bodaisen had been a major holy city on which many temples were built in Heian period. Almost temples on Bodaisen were destroyed by Heike Nanto Yakiuchi fire. But Shouryakuji barely remained and has continued until now. We can enjoy a beautiful space and slow time in nature. When planning a Nara trip, why not try to visit Shouryakuji?

(Translated by Google) Visiting “Nishiki no Sato🍁” one step closer😁💦 Currently, the entrance fee is 800 yen due to the special viewing period, and the parking lot fee is 500 yen during the autumn leaves season. In the main hall, you can see the main Buddha statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property, Hakuho period). The sight of all the Buddha statues is truly overwhelming. There will also be easy-to-understand announcements about the whole thing. However, it seems that it was a little early for the autumn leaves. The blue maple leaves were beautiful, but the Nanten and Manryo trees were also beautiful here, so I was able to feel the nature and take lots of photos. Although there are some ups and downs, be sure to visit Rurikodai behind the main hall and Ryujindaira observation deck. I believe there are many valuable discoveries that can only be made at Nara Ancient Temples. As a souvenir, I bought a ``persimmon dimple'' at Seiryuan next to the parking lot. It is a Japanese sweet made by wrapping dried persimmons with yuzu peel, walnuts, apricots, etc. It had a simple and delicious taste (the one in the photo has yuzu in it). I am grateful for the careful management of the temple. Visiting date: November 15, 2023 (Original) 『錦の里🍁』一歩手前の参拝😁💦 現在は特別拝観時期のため拝観料800円、紅葉シーズンにつき駐車場代500円です。 本堂では、御本尊の秘仏 薬師如来倚像(国指定重要文化財 白鳳時代)が拝観できます。 まさに仏像が勢揃いした感じで圧巻です。 一体一体について、分かりやすいアナウンスも流れます。 ただ、紅葉にはちょっと早かったようです。 青もみじ🌱が美しい状況でしたが、ここは南天や万両もきれいなので、自然を感じながらたくさんの写真を撮らせていただきました。 少しアップダウンはあるものの、ぜひ本堂裏の瑠璃光台や展望台の龍神平も巡ってみてください。奈良古刹ならではの有難い発見があると思います。 お土産には、駐車場の隣にある清流庵で『柿えくぼ』を買い求めました。干柿の中に、柚子の皮やクルミの実、あんずなどを入れて固く巻いた和菓子です。素朴な味わいが美味でしたよ（写真は柚子の入ったもの）。 行き届いたお寺さんの管理に感謝です。 参拝日 2023年11月15日

(Translated by Google) Visited on November 30, 2023. This is the second time. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Koninji Temple. Tourist buses and regular cars pass through the narrow road, so it's no wonder it's quite famous as a spot for fall foliage. It was a shame that photography was prohibited in the main hall and Fukujuin, but it was my first visit in a long time, and my memories came back and I enjoyed viewing the autumn leaves. (Original) 2023年11月30日に訪れました。 今回で2回目。 弘仁寺から歩いて30分ほどで到着。細い道を観光バスや一般車が通り、紅葉スポットとしてかなり有名であることが頷ける。 本堂や福寿院が写真撮影禁止ということで、残念だが、久しぶりの訪れに記憶が蘇り、紅葉狩りを楽しみました～

(Translated by Google) Shorakuji Temple I visited in mid-November, but the peak of the autumn leaves in the mountains is probably a little further away. Still, the view of the borrowed garden from Fukujuin is so beautiful that it cleanses the soul. Another fun thing about visiting here is the sake brewed from this sake mother, which is said to be the birthplace of Japanese sake🍶 This time, I purchased Hyakurakumon and Mimurosugi Bodhimoto making 😍 It is an old temple located in a quiet mountain about 30 minutes by car from Kintetsu Nara Station towards Tenri, but it is a spot full of attractions where you can feel the flow of rich nature and eternal history. (Original) 正暦寺 11月中旬に伺いましたが山々の紅葉のピークはもう少し先といったところでしょうか。 それでも福寿院から愛でる借景庭園の眺めは心が洗われる美しさ。 そしてここを訪れるもう一つの楽しみは日本清酒発祥の地と言われるこちらの酒母を醸した日本酒🍶 今回は百楽門とみむろ杉の菩提酛づくりを購入😍 近鉄奈良駅から天理方面に車で30分程の静かなお山にある古寺ですが豊かな自然と悠久の歴史の流れを感じることのできる見所満載のスポットです。

(Translated by Google) Continue along the narrow road towards the mountain. During the fall foliage season, staff will be stationed at each point to guide cars and sightseeing buses. There are very few pedestrians, but there are many cars, so you need to drive with plenty of time. Parking lot is 500 yen (there are several places, you will be guided). Admission fee is 800 yen Photography is prohibited inside Fukuju-in Temple and each worship place (inside the building) to reduce crowding. Press the shutter of your heart and keep it in your memory 🤗 The grounds are large and it feels like you are taking a walk in the mountains. There are stairs behind the main hall, and when you look out from there, you can see that Shorakuji Temple is surrounded on all sides and is a sunken point where the spirit of the mountains accumulates. It is said to be the birthplace of sake, and you can buy sake made with this yeast as a souvenir. It's brewed by one of the nation's leading sake breweries in Nara, so if you're a Japanese sake lover, you should definitely buy it. After arriving home safely, I went to pick up some history, and that's when I visited Shoryakuji Temple🙏 (Original) 山に向かって在所の細い道を進んで行きます。紅葉シーズンは各ポイントにスタッフが配置され車や観光バスを誘導してくれます。歩行者はほとんどいませんが、車は多いのでゆとりをもった運転が必要です。 駐車場は500円（数か所あり案内されます。） 拝観料は800円 福寿院内や各参拝所（建物内）は混雑緩和の為写真撮影は禁止されています。 心のシャッターを押して記憶に留めましょう🤗 広い敷地で、山の中を散策しているようです。 本堂裏手に階段があり、そこから見渡すと正暦寺の位置が四方を囲まれ、山の気が溜まる窪んだポイントだと分かります。 清酒発祥の地とされお土産にこちらの酵母を使用したお酒をお土産に買えます。 奈良にある全国有数の酒蔵が醸しているので、日本酒好きはとりあえず買ってください。 そして無事家に着いて、歴史をつまみにぐいっといく、そこまでが正暦寺参拝🙏

(Translated by Google) Photography is prohibited from inside the Sanmon gate. You can go to the main hall during the opening. Usually, it will be Omani only for Honbo. Also in Honbo There is a beautiful Buddha. (Original) 山門から中は撮影禁止です。 ご開帳のときは本堂まで行けますが 普段は本坊だけのおまいんになります。本坊にも 素敵な仏様がおられます。

Nice little temple 🙂 Nothing so special about all these temples but the pilgrimage walk could be nice. Walking the 3 first temples was good idea (took me 2-3h), specially if you enjoy being away from the big japanese cities and seing some country side and random casual life of Japan. Don’t miss the buses of pilgrims stopping by and having a prayer (you won’t miss them with their white clothes) !

Lovely and moving ancient temple, where there is an ancient well, said to grant immunity to disease.

Visited in Dec 2016. Don’t quite remember if I saw my face in the mirror but it’s now been 3 years and I’m feeling fine. Guess I’ll reach 92, if the fairy tale is correct. Painted this today after some photos I took then. Watercolors 12x18 Inches. Used a lot of ivory black and then some scraping to get the highlights and such. Enjoy.

The third temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage. A quite temple in the rural area. 15 minutes walk from the itano station.

Magical place, please respect it, a very important place. You need to learn a lot about it before the visit. Very kind people over there.

Nice place

Temple 3 on pilgrim track. Very interesting place.

This temple isn't on the main routes in Japan, which perhaps helped make it seem more authentic (I am sure it is no more or less authentic than others). Itvwas very quiet with the lack of crowds helping. The grounds were quite stunning with the walk to the grave of Kogyo Daishi so beautiful and peaceful. When I am back in Wakayama I will visit again.

Very beautiful during the cherry blossom season.

Very peaceful compared to some shrines in Kyoto(probably less tourist know about this place). I enjoyed the atmosphere and the tranquil of the whole place.Do visit this place when you are in Wakayama.

A quaint Buddhist temple especially pretty during the early December red leave season. Usually quiet for a morning stroll.

Serene, peaceful and zen place with lots of history. Visited the cemetery of the founder of the temple.

sakura blossom here is the best♥️

always nice here

Calm place.