NaraExplorer
Up-to-date and essential English tourist information about Nara for international visitors
Nara Explorer is Nara's first and only English tourist magazine.
Our inaugual first issue will be published in June.
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Traditional Ceremonies and Festivals in Temples & Shrines
What’s on in Nara this month?
- Until Jan. 22: Kasuga Grand Shrine Treasury Exhibition:
- The shrine's valuable historical and cultural properties will be exhibited along with elegant musical instruments and costumes brought to Nara from China in the Heian period (794-1185); Open: 9:00-17:00; map A, B-5, pg 7; 400 yen; Tel: 0742-22-7788;
- www.kasugataisha.or.jp/
- Dec. 7, Jan. 7, Feb. 7: Monthly Thanksgiving Ceremony at Kinpusen-ji Temple:
- Every month on the 7th, from 11:00, a thanksgiving ceremony for the temple's main deity is held (sutra chanting & goma fire buring); map E, pg 7; Tel: 0746-32-8371; See pg 12 for access details to Yoshino area;
- http://www.kinpusen.or.jp/
- Dec. 8: Ominugui Year-end Cleaning at Horyu-ji Temple:
- From 10:00 at the main temple halls in Horyu-ji Temple, monks will clean Buddhist statues; map C, pg 7; 1,000 yen; Tel: 0745-75-2555; See pg 12 for access details to Horyuji area;
- http://www.horyuji.or.jp/
- Dec. 15: Ominugui Year-end Cleaning at Toshodai-ji Temple:
- From 9:00 at the main temple hall, monks will clean their main Buddhist statues; map B, pg 7; 600 yen; Tel: 0742-33-7900; See pg 12 for access details to Nishinokyo area;
- http://www.toshodaiji.jp/
- Dec. 29: Ominugui Year-end Cleaning at Yakushi-ji Temple:
- After participating in the New Year's special rice cake pounding, monks will clean the main Buddhist statues in the main temple halls from 13:00; map B, pg 7; 500 yen; Tel: 0742-33-6001; See pg 12 for access details to Nishinokyo area;
- http://www.nara-yakushiji.com/
- Jan. 3: New Year's Kagura Dance & Music at Kasuga Grand Shrine:
- From 11:00, a sacred dance performance will be staged for the deity by the shrine maidens to pray for the success of all ritual music and dance performances; map A, C-5, pg 7; 500 yen; Tel: 0742-22-7788;
- http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/
- Jan 15: New Year's Tea Ceremony Party at Saidai-ji Temple:
- This is a traditional tea ceremony (9:00-15:00) which started in the 12th century. Participants share a huge tea bowl (30cm in diameter and weighing 7 kg!) to drink maccha green tea prepared by the monks; map B, pg 7; 1,000 yen; Tel: 0742-45-4770.
- Feb. 3: Setsubun Lantern Lit-up at Kasuga Grand Shrine:
- Ancient imperial court dance will be performed from 17:30. Then about 3,000 stone and metal lanterns in the shrine ground will be lit-up between 18:00 and 20:30; map A, C-5, pg 7; 500 yen; Tel: 0742-22-7788;
- http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/
- Feb. 3: Setsubun Goma Bon Fire Ritual at Gango-ji Temple:
- From 12:00-15:00, a traditional ritual will be carried out by the Yamabushi mountain monks. After offering a prayer by burning Goma amulets, the monks walk on the burned amulets with bare feet (from 13:00). Visitors can also join the ritual; map A, D-3, pg 6; 400 yen; Tel: 0742-23-1377;
- http://www.gangoji.or.jp/
- Feb. 3: Setsubun Bean Scattering & Star Festival at Todai-ji Temple Nigatsu-do Hall:
- From 10:00, a pile of amulets and sacred wood offered from visitors last year will be burnt after a prayer. From 14:00, monks will scatter soy beans from the temple hall and it is believed that these beans can dispel bad fortune and ill health; map A, A-5, pg 7; 500 yen; Tel: 0742-22-5511;
- http://www.todaiji.or.jp/
- 9/17: Jushichi-ya Bon Dance:
- at Nigatsu-do Hall of Todai-ji Temple. A ceremony is held at 18:00 and people enjoy traditional dance of joy when the ancestors are remembered and celebrated (open to all); 18:30-21:00; Todai-ji Temple: Tel: 0742-22-5111;www.todaiji.or.jp/
