Events in Nara

Spring Kemari Festival

Held at Tanzan Jinja Shrine both in spring and August, the Kemari Festival features beautiful processions, rituals and eventually a game of kemari. Wearing colorful robes from the 7th century, …

Heijokyo Tempyo Sai Festival

A spring festival with a history dating back 1300 years, the Heijokyo festival is a chance to travel back in time. Celebrating the days when Nara was the capital of Japan, this three day event …

Nara Tokae

Update: In 2022, some festivities may be canceled. Check their guide map for more details. A ten-day event taking place in Nara, the Tokae sees thousands of candles placed in varying displays and …

Daimonji Okuribi

For 2022 (as with 2021), the fireworks display which usually follows Daimonji ceremony has been canceled. Also, anyone not directly involved in the ceremony will be barred from attending and Nara …

Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks

Taking place on the banks of the Yoshino River in the Shinmachi neighbourhood of Gojo city, this is Nara Prefecture’s most popular fireworks festival. Not content with a mere 4,000 …

Uneme Festival

Update: For 2022, the festival will go ahead but on a reduced scale. There will be no procession, boat or otherwise, or shrine ritual available to the public. A melancholy and sombre festival, …

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri

This festival in Nara prefecture traces its origin back to the 12th century. The name comes from the Wakamiya Shrine – a shrine within the ground of the larger Kasuga Taisha Shrine. This …

Oni Hashiri: Ogres and Flaming Torches

Taking place in the grounds of Nenbutsu Temple in Nara, this fiery performance has been an annual tradition for over 500 years.  What happens? Three ogres, armed with flaming torches, scare away …

Wakakusa Yamayaki

One of the most impressive sights in Japan this January, the Wasakusa Yamayaki sees an entire mountainside in Nara go up in flames as fireworks are launched behind it. Although its origins are …

Shigisan Tiger Festival

February is traditionally known as the month of the tiger. To celebrate this, a tiger festival is held at Chōgosonshi-ji temple: a budhist temple in the city of Ikoma in Nara prefecture. The main …

Omizutori Fire Festival

Omizutori – a festival of fire and water – is one of the oldest Buddhist ceremonies still performed today. Get all the details you need to know to join in.