Kasuga Taisha Lantern Torii
About This Gate
Ancient stone torii flanked by 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. The shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years for 1,300 years in a practice called shikinen zotai. The moss-covered stones create a primeval atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Japan.
History
Kasuga Taisha was founded in 768 AD by the Fujiwara clan, one of the most powerful families in Japanese history. The practice of shikinen zotai (periodic reconstruction) has been maintained for over 1,300 years, with the shrine being completely rebuilt every 20 years. The 3,000 lanterns along the approach were donated by worshippers over the centuries. The stone torii at the entrance has stood since the Heian period.
Symbolism
The stone torii represents the enduring nature of faith — stone withstands the elements while wooden structures must be periodically rebuilt. The lanterns represent the light of the kami guiding worshippers through the darkness. The moss-covered stones embody the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi — beauty in impermanence and the patina of age.
Photography Tips
Overcast days bring out the moss greens
Getting There
Take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Kintetsu Nara Station, then a 20-minute walk through Nara Park. Alternatively, take a bus to Kasuga Taisha Honden.