Kasuga Taisha
Nara, Osaka
1 Nov to 29 Feb
- Daily
- 7:00 to 17:00
Rest of the year
- Daily
- 6:30 to 17:30
Hours are for general worship at the main sanctuary. Special worship is 9:00 to 16:00 for ¥700. Dates and times can change for shrine events.
Source: kasugataisha.or.jp, checked 13 Oct 2026.
A Shinto shrine at the eastern edge of Nara Park. The deer in the park are regarded as its divine messengers.
Insider tip
General worship at the main sanctuary needs no ticket. Special worship, which takes you closer to the main sanctuary, costs ¥700 and runs 9:00 to 16:00. It's fully closed 8 to 13 March, 20 December to 7 January and the second Monday of January, and closed 9:00 to 12:00 on the 1st, 11th and 21st of each month.
What the guides say about Kasuga Taisha
The park is free and open all year, and it's an 8-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara. Todai-ji houses the Great Buddha, with entry to the hall at ¥800 for adults. Kasuga Taisha sits at the park's eastern edge, and general worship at the main sanctuary needs no ticket. Feed the deer only the crackers sold in the park. There are no litter bins, so take your rubbish with you.
What's on at Kasuga Taisha
Upcoming events at Kasuga Taisha, from the weekly Osaka events calendar.
Meiji Festival and Culture Day Gagaku at Kasuga Taisha
春日大社 明治祭・文化の日萬葉雅楽会
Time 10:00 festival, 13:00 gagaku
A festival honouring Emperor Meiji, with court dance offered in the Ringo no Niwa and viewable from the worship hall. At 13:00 the Manyo Botanical Garden stage hosts gagaku music and dance.
Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0 Deer Antler Cutting
古式「鹿の角きり」
Time 11:45 to 15:00 (gates 11:15) Station Kintetsu-Nara, about 30 min walk or loop bus to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando
A ritual about 350 years old in which a stag's antlers are cut at the Shikaen ground in Nara Park. Tickets are day-of only, standing room, at ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary school children.
Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kasuga Taisha Night Visit and Manto-ro Lanterns
春日大社 国宝・御本殿夜間特別参拝と万燈籠特別開催
Time 17:30 to 20:00 on 7, 14, 21 and 28 Nov (last entry 19:45) Station Kasuga Taisha Honden bus stop (bus from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara)
On four Saturdays you can make a night visit to the National Treasure main shrine, when about 1,000 hanging lanterns in the corridor are lit. The special worship fee is ¥700 and no reservation is needed.
Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0 Niiname-sai Harvest Thanksgiving at Kasuga Taisha
春日大社 新嘗祭
Time 10:00
A rite thanking the deity for the harvest, with new rice and vegetables from the shrine's fields offered at 10:00 at the main shrine. Rice ears hung on the fence can be seen from the worship hall, and shrine maidens offer kagura.
Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri
春日若宮おん祭
Station Bus from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station to Kasuga Taisha Honden
The shrine's year-end festival, 15 to 18 December. The Owatari-shiki procession on the 17th leaves the front of the Nara Prefectural Office at noon for the Otabisho, where the Otabisho-sai is at 14:30. The 18th has votive sumo at 13:00 and a Noh performance at 14:00.
Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nearby
Good to know
- What is the address of Kasuga Taisha?
- 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara, Osaka (in Japanese: 奈良県奈良市春日野町160).
- What are the opening hours of Kasuga Taisha?
- 1 Nov to 29 Feb: Daily 7:00 to 17:00. Rest of the year: Daily 6:30 to 17:30. Hours are for general worship at the main sanctuary. Special worship is 9:00 to 16:00 for ¥700. Dates and times can change for shrine events.
- How do I get to Kasuga Taisha?
- The nearest station is Kintetsu-Nara. Kasuga Taisha is in Nara, Osaka.
- How much does Kasuga Taisha cost?
- Nothing. Kasuga Taisha is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Kasuga Taisha?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Kasuga Taisha?
- Morning.
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