How to spend your time Aotani Yoshinara
Aotaniyoshi, spring in Nara
Spring sunshine and budding
Spring arrives, and the plants awaken in the warm sunshine.
Cherry blossoms, wisteria, and various other flowers delight people's eyes, while traditional festivals announce the arrival of a new season.
Feeling the arrival of spring at the beautiful flower-decorated shrine.
Buddha's Birthday Festival / Kofuku-ji Temple, Nan-en-do Hall
A flower shrine decorated with various flowers is built in front of the Nan'en-do Hall, and a statue of the infant Buddha is placed inside. Sweet tea is then poured over it to celebrate the birth of Buddha. Sweet tea will also be served on the day.
The sweet tea poured over the Buddha is believed to be akin to amrita (divine nectar), and drinking it is considered very good for the body.
[Date] April 8th
[Venue] Front garden of the Southern Octagonal Hall, Kofuku-ji Temple
[Access] Approximately 8 minutes on foot from the hotel.
Seasonal flowers in full bloom
Flower spots in Nara
From spring to summer. A time when countless flowers bloom in abundance.
The ancient capital, adorned with vibrant colors, is well worth seeing.
Here are some "famous flower spots" that you'll want to visit in the spring.
Researching the best time to see flowers!
The Nara Prefecture official tourism website, "Aoniyoshi" Nara Travel Net, publishes a flowering calendar by month and region.
https://yamatoji.nara-kankou.or.jp/
Mount Yoshino
With approximately 30,000 cherry trees in full bloom, it is one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.
The mountain cherry blossoms, numbering "a thousand at a glance," are truly breathtaking.
[Blooming period] Early to late April
[Access] Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from the hotel.
Koriyama Castle Ruins
The "Goten-zakura" cherry tree has been passed down since the Tensho era.
It was also selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots."
[Blooming period] Late March to early April
[Access] Approximately 25 minutes by car from the hotel.
The "Yamato-Koriyama Castle Festival" will be held to coincide with the cherry blossom season.
During this period, the cherry blossoms will be illuminated at night from 6 PM to 9 PM.
Kasuga Grand Shrine
A wisteria garden with 200 plants of 20 different varieties.
The large, drooping wisteria blossoms are a must-see.
[Blooming period] Late April to early May
[Access] Approximately 20 minutes on foot from the hotel.
Hase-dera Temple
Two thousand hydrangea bushes, bearing abundant blossoms.
A scene full of the charm of June.
[Blooming period] Mid-June to mid-July
[Access] Approximately 60 minutes by car from the hotel.
A heart-shaped fan flutters in the air.
Chuko Memorial Bonmokai/Toshodaiji Temple
It is said that Kakusho, a high-ranking priest who restored the temple, told his disciple, who was about to swat a mosquito, to "uphold the principle of non-violence," and in honor of his virtue, people began offering fans to ward off mosquitoes. The fans distributed to worshippers are believed to have the power to ward off illness and evil spirits.
[Date] May 19th
[Venue] Toshodai-ji Temple
[Access] Approximately 20 minutes by car from the hotel.
To those participating in the fan-throwing event
Participation tickets will be distributed to the first 400 people starting at 9:00 AM, and 400 fans will be thrown from the National Treasure Drum Tower starting at 3:00 PM. For the remaining 1,000 fans, lottery tickets will be distributed by 2:30 PM, and the winners will be announced after the "fan throwing" event ends.
April/May/June Event Schedule
Spring long-term events
March 1st - May 31st: Spring Special Opening / Futaiji Temple
March 1st - May 31st: Spring Treasures Exhibition / Abe Monjuin Temple
March 18th - June 30th: Spring Special Viewing and Spring Special Exhibition of Temple Treasures / Hase-dera Temple
April 1st - June 10th: Special opening of the National Historic Site and Scenic Garden at Hokkeji Temple
April
| 5th | Mizutani Shrine Chinka Festival/Kasuga Taisha Shrine |
|---|---|
| 8th | Shuni-e Ceremony / Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple |
| 8th | Buddha's Birthday Celebration / Kofuku-ji Temple |
| 13th | Thirteen Pilgrimage / Kōninji Temple |
| 17th | Release of Animals Ceremony / Kofuku-ji Temple |
| 19th | Manju Festival / Hayashi Shrine (Kankoku Shrine) |
| 21st | Shōmikage-ku / Daianji Temple |
| 25th | Monju-e (Buddhist service) / Kofuku-ji Temple |
May
| Day 1 | Ice Lantern Offering / Himuro Shrine |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Emperor Shomu Festival / Todai-ji Temple |
| 3 days | Imperial Mausoleum Festival / Sahoyama Imperial Mausoleum |
| 5th | Iris Festival / Kasuga Grand Shrine |
| 10th | Tea Ceremony / Kasuga Taisha Shrine |
| 14th | Chūjōhime Memorial Day / Taima-dera Temple |
June
| 13th | Golden Chimaki Festival / Kōninji Temple |
|---|---|
| 15th | Aoba Festival (Kobo Daishi birth memorial service)/Daianji Temple |
| 17th | Saegusa Festival / Isakawa Shrine |
| 23rd | Bamboo Memorial Service (Summer Festival for Preventing Cancer) / Daianji Temple |
| 25th | Birthday Festival and Bullfinch Exchange Ritual / Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine |
Shin-Yakushiji Temple / Shuni-e Ceremony
This ritual involves confessing sins to the principal image of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) and praying for peace throughout the land. The entire Todai-ji Temple community participates, with the daytime service starting at 5 PM. From 7 PM, the monks enter the hall, led by 11 torches, and you can witness the spectacle of them moving forward, scattering sparks. The service includes the scattering of flower petals, the officiant's prayers, and the recitation of the name of the deity.
Himuro Shrine / Ice Lanterns
This traditional event, held monthly, originates from the establishment of an icehouse at the foot of Mount Kasuga in 710 to worship the gods. Ice manufacturers and vendors from all over Japan offer ice sculptures and ice pillars. Please check the shrine's website for the schedule.
Hokkeji Temple / National Historic Site, Scenic Garden Special Opening
Hokkeji Temple is a nunnery counted among the three most important temples in Yamato Province. Its garden is said to have been relocated from the Imperial Palace along with the guest hall, and every spring you can see irises in the scenic garden centered around the pond south of the inner study. It is open to the public from April 1st to June 10th.
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