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Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara

4.4
#2 of 100 in Historic Sites in Nara
Religious Site · Tourist Spot
Founded in 768, Kasuga Grand Shrine represents a World Heritage Site famous for its bronze and stone lanterns. Visit the offering hall of this Nara attraction for free, or explore the inner area and its architecture for a fee. Designed in the Kasuga-zukuri architectural style, the temple complex boasts a botanical garden surrounded by a primeval forest, also listed as a World Heritage Site. Enjoy the beautiful grounds and view the temple's noteworthy interior during your visit. PutKasuga Grand Shrine into our Nara itinerary website and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.
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Tours to Kasuga Grand Shrine

FROM $31 BOOK WITH VIATOR All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour!
Duration: 3 hours
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FROM $13 BOOK WITH VIATOR E-bike rental- in Nara (JR-Nara shop)
Duration: 1 to 24 hours
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FROM $315 BOOK WITH VIATOR Exploring Nara
Duration: 8 hours
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Kasuga Grand Shrine reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
1,764 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By Lance_Kerwin
    Kasuga Grand Shrine is a must to visit. However it can get too crowded during the day. The area is so beautiful especially during autumn. I recommend to visit this place early morning for good photos.  more »
  • By HarryTours_Official
    First info upfront - we didn't actually go into the Shrine (paid entry), as we already had a sort of temple / shrine overkill and noticed that even the most significant places didn't give us the joy....  more »
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Google
  • By chiangmaicharlies
    Many different paths - wide and narrow - take you through this traditional temple complex. You will definitely see lanterns and bells, and possibly groups of people in traditional costume. Great for photography; look out for bells naturally decorated in moss. Yet another great place to see when visiting Nara.
  • By Jenny C
    I've been here several times, but the latest is in Oct 2020. It's nowhere as busy as when the international tourists can visit. The forest surrounding it already makes this place quite peaceful, but it's even more so nowadays. I like the path leading into this shrine. It is quite a walk, but it's mostly flat. If you have mobility issues or cannot walk longer than 10-15 minutes in one go, plus a few steps at the end, I would forego this attraction.
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