Kasuga-taisha, Shinto shrine in Nara, Japan.
Kasuga-taisha is a Shinto shrine on the eastern edge of Nara at the foot of a forested hill. The four main buildings stand side by side under shared roofs with curved cypress lines and vermilion pillars.
The Fujiwara family established the shrine in 768 as a religious center of their power. Over the centuries it was rebuilt roughly every 20 years following ancient Shinto practice.
The name comes from a nearby hill and the buildings wear the signature vermilion red of Shinto tradition. Visitors often see worshippers praying before the shrines and during lantern festivals hundreds of lanterns glow at once.
The shrine sits about 30 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station through a quiet park full of deer. Buses run directly to the entrance if you prefer to shorten the walk.
Over 3000 stone and bronze lanterns line the paths and were donated over centuries by worshippers. On special occasions all are lit at once and transform the shrine into a sea of flickering light.
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