Culture Kashihara Jingu Shrine Alena Eckelmann Kashihara Jingu, a large shrine surrounded by lush forest, enshrines Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first imperial ruler of Japan,..
15 Gardens & Parks Peony Gardens in Hase-dera, Nara Tomoko Kamishima Peony Gardens in Hase-dera, Nara: I enjoyed each of the Nobori-ro Corridors 399 steps that invited me up, up, up into the holy precincts...
Culture Mount Shigi and Chogosonshi-ji Temple Gary Luscombe Chogosonshi-ji, commonly known as Shigisan, is a mountain temple in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the God of War. The history of..
Historical Heijo Palace Site Paul Hackshaw See the site of he former Imperial Palace, seat of the original Japanese government
Historical Nara Toshodai-ji Temple in Autumn Tomoko Kamishima Toshodai-ji Temple in Nara is the head temple of the Ritsu sect of Buddhism in Japan. The Ritsu sect mainly studies and practices..
Culture Takatori Castle Festival 2026 Late Nov Each November, the historic town of Takatori in Nara Prefecture celebrates its proud samurai heritage with the Takatori Castle Festival...
8 Temples & Shrines Nara's 1300-year-old wood buildings Keigetsu Watanabe Nara's Horyuji Temple, with wooden buildings over 1,300-year-old, was the first World Heritage site in Japan.
Culture Tanzan Jinja Jeanne Austry Vivid colors on a blue sky, the Tanzan jinja shrine is well-known for its dazzling maple trees in autumn and its bright sakuras..