Kasuga Taisha

春日大社

A mossy lantern-lined path ending at vermilion corridors

Hours

6:30am–5:30pm per the official site; National Treasure Hall 10am–5pm

Tickets

Grounds free; inner-sanctuary special worship paid (check on site); treasure hall ¥700, Man'yo Botanical Garden ¥700 (revised April 2025)

Address

160 Kasugano-cho, Nara

Past the torii, the forest path is lined on both sides with stone lanterns furred in moss, on and on. Cedar shade keeps it cool even at noon, and deer wander between the lanterns. At the end, the vermilion corridors glint with rows of bronze lanterns hung from the eaves. The shrine dates to 768 and has around 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. In a dark room beside the main sanctuary, Fujinami-no-ya, they recreate the lanterns all lit, so you get a taste of the festival nights any day.