Nara Prefecture has the most World Heritage sites in Japan. Many people living in Japan may want to visit Nara. Nara City was the capital, called Heijo-kyo, from 710 to 784, and was a thriving political and cultural center. Kasugataisha Shrine, which played a key role, holds many cultural treasures, including 354 national treasures and 2503 important cultural properties. It’s a World Heritage site as part of Nara’s ancient capital.
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Over 1300 Years of Praying for Peace
The Kasugataisha Shrine’s history dates back around 1,300 years to the beginning of the Nara period. It was established on Mount Mikasa, 283 meters above sea level, as the protective shrine for Heijo-kyo, the capital. Initially dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the ancestral deity of the Fujiwara clan. The shrine later expanded in 768 under the decree of Emperor Shoutoku to include a main hall for four deities, including Futsunushi-no-mikoto, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, and Himegami, to pray for the country’s prosperity and people’s well-being.
Even today, Kasugataisha Shrine hosts over 2,200 festivals annually to pray for the nation’s peace and prosperity. One such festival is the “Kasuga Festival” held on March 13th. This centuries-old festival includes the presentation of an imperial decree by an envoy from the Imperial Palace, continuing a tradition that began over 1,200 years ago, to pray for the nation’s peace and prosperity.
The forest protected alongside faith, a divine sanctuary
When you visit Kasugataisha Shrine, you’ll notice many stone lanterns. Almost 70% of Japan’s Muromachi period lanterns are here, with about 3,000 lanterns donated since the Heian period. These lanterns are only lit on the day of Setsubun, August 14th and 15th. During the Mantoro festival, they’re lit to pray for people’s wishes. In the past, oil was offered, and the lanterns were lit every night as long as the oil lasted. Now, you can see their beauty anytime by visiting the Fujinami-no-ya Hall. (If you want to know what the Setsubuin is, please refer to the article below.)
When you look up at the main hall, you’ll notice the striking contrast between the green forest and the vermilion-painted shrine. The primeval forest of Mount Kasuga has been a special natural monument for over a thousand years, with hunting and logging prohibited in the sacred precincts of Kasugataisha Shrine. This forest, closely linked to the shrine and its beliefs, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among this protected area, you’ll find many deer, protected as messengers of the gods since ancient times when the gods were said to ride white deer to Mount Mikasa. These deer, a national natural treasure, number around 1,300 today.
Not a tourist spot, but a realm of the gods
Despite the changing times, people have continued to protect the deities and the primaeval forest out of faith. Today, visitors still uphold this tradition. When you visit, it’s important to respect the gods by understanding and following the behaviour and rules within the shrine grounds. Please read the following guidelines and enjoy your time at Kasugataisha Shrine with proper etiquette.
Etiquette at Kasugataisha Shrine
- As you pass through the second torii gate, you’ll find a purification area. Here, you can ritually cleanse your hands and mouth with water before visiting the shrines.
- After that, you’ll visit the Haraed Shrine immediately to your left. This shrine is dedicated to a deity who purifies sins and impurities, preparing your mind and body before visiting the main hall.
- At Kasugataisha Shrine, there is a worship hall in front of the main hall where you can pray for free. If you are wearing a hat, please remove it before entering the hall. Inside the hall, there is a large wooden box called a “saisenbako” or offering box, where you can place money as an offering. Offering money is a way to express your heart and wishes to the gods, so quietly place your money into the box. Of course, this box is also sacred, so avoid throwing money or placing objects on top of it.
- Next is the “ni-rei ni-hakushi ichi-rei” (two bows, two claps, one bow) ritual. When visiting a shrine, there is a specific etiquette called “ni-rei ni-hakushi ichi-rei.” First, bow deeply twice to show respect and gratitude to the gods. Then, clap your hands twice, and quietly make your prayer. Finally, bow deeply once more to express gratitude to the gods.
It’s important to remember that shrines are places for the gods. Therefore, sitting or smoking on the stone steps or approaching paths is considered disrespectful and against etiquette. Additionally, in recent years, more people have been feeding deer foods other than deer crackers that are sold. Since deer are wild animals, it’s best not to offer them human food and instead observe them from a distance.
There may be many etiquette rules that surprise visitors, but we believe that etiquette reflects the culture of a country. We hope you can enrich your stay in Japan by learning about its culture, and enjoying the 1,300-year history of Kasugataisha Shrine.
Further Details
- Further Details: View Website
- Address: 160 Kasugano-cho Nara-shi, Japan (Access)
General Worship of Main Sanctuary: April – September: 6:00 – 18:00, October – March: 6:30 – 17:00 (View Website)
