Kasugataisha Shrine
At the beginning of the Nara period, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto is said to have ridden on sacred deer from Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture to Mt. Mikasa to protect Heijo-kyo and promote national prosperity.
From the moment you step onto the approach to Kasugataisha Shrine, you're surrounded by lush forest and weathered stone lanterns. At the end of the path, the vermilion corridor appears. If it weren’t for all the tourists around, it would almost feel like traveling back in time!
Following the visitor route, we came to Fujinami-no-ya. It’s a small, completely dark space lit by the glow of countless lanterns. I can only imagine how much more spectacular it must be during the Mantoro festival.




































