Kasuga Taisha

Dedicated to the four protective kami of the Fujiwara clan—Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, Amenokoyane, and Himegami—this ancient shrine serves as the spiritual guardian of Nara and one of Japan's most important Shinto centers. Worshippers come to pray for family protection, political success, and purification, following traditions established when the powerful Fujiwara family founded the shrine in 768 CE. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns that create a mystical atmosphere, particularly during the Mantoro festivals when they are all lit simultaneously.