TRADITIONS, FESTIVALS & SEASONAL DAYS
Find an event that brings Nara to life.
Explore a curated selection of Nara’s signature traditions, major seasonal events and special openings that can shape a trip. This calendar is selective rather than exhaustive; routine services and small local programmes are left out. Confirm this year’s details with the organizer before travelling.
33 events
Yamato Kannon Autumn Foliage Pilgrimage 2026
The 2026 four-temple autumn pilgrimage connects Okadera, Tsubosaka-dera, Hasedera and Murō-ji from October 10 to December 6. Tsubosaka-dera's notice confirms a free layered-colour stamp rally at all four temples and limited temple-specific kirie goshuin for ¥1,000 each. Its linked Hikari no Junrei night opening runs November 20–29 until 20:00; the notice gives no separate night-entry price. Each temple keeps its own admission and opening arrangements, and the dates do not guarantee that every site will have peak foliage at once. The 2026 edition is dated; check for a new organizer notice before planning another year.
Ryōsen-ji Autumn Roses and Sacred Treasures Exhibition (2026)
Ryōsen-ji's 2026 calendar and event detail page announce the autumn opening of the normally hidden Yakushi Buddha, attendant images and temple treasures, including the vividly painted Four Heavenly Kings. The special opening runs October 23 through November 8, 10:00–16:00, and lets visitors enter the Main Hall's inner sanctuary. The temple lists a separate ¥200 Main Hall admission, in addition to seasonal entrance admission. Its current admission guide lists autumn-season entrance at ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children (elementary and junior-high students); confirm current charges before visiting. The display selection may change by year.
- Admission
- ¥200 Main Hall admission plus seasonal entrance: ¥1,000 adult / ¥500 child per the temple's current guidance.
Yoshino Mountain Autumn Foliage Light-Up 2026
The Yoshino Mountain Tourism Association's current seasonal page and dated October 9 notice both schedule the lights for October 23–November 30, 2026, from 16:30 to 22:00. Nara Prefecture's event listing gives October 24; the checked sources do not explain the one-day difference, so October 23 is retained as the association's announced date and the prefectural listing is flagged for verification. No post-event report was found to confirm opening-night operation. The current-edition location list names Shimo-senbon Park, Kuromon, the copper torii, Kinpusen-ji's headquarters courtyard, Myōhō-den, the former Niten-mon gate, Tōnan-in's pagoda, Yoshimizu Shrine's approach, Katsute Shrine, Kizō-in's gate, Sakuramotobō's Niō-mon, Chikurin-in's gate and Daitō-no-miya. Official area guides place Katsute Shrine in Naka-senbon and Daitō-no-miya in Kami-senbon, so both areas are linked as confirmed 2026 light-up locations. The association's standing seasonal guide separately mentions Naka-senbon Park's Ogi-no-Tani and the lower ropeway's Senbonguchi as usual light-up areas; neither appears in the detailed 2026 location list, so do not assume those sites are lit this year. Confirm the exact sites and traffic controls before travelling.
20th Arukunara Central Nara Stamp Rally (2026)
The 20th Arukunara campaign invites visitors to explore eight shopping streets between Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara. The official 2026 participant list names registered MyNara stops including Hotel New Wakasa, Kasuga Hotel, Hotel OBANA, Hotel Nikko Nara, Nara Washington Hotel Plaza, Asukaso, Sarusawa Pond Yoshidaya, Nara Guesthouse 3F, Kakinoha-zushi Tanaka, Cafe Fluke, Umasshu, Com Ngon, Sakura Burger, Kamaiki, Yamazakiya, Genkishin, Manshodo, Shubo Aya, Hiyori, Mafu Okai, Nakatanido, Mentoan, Nara Izumi Yusai, Manmando, Kaki no Senmon, Yatagarasu, Isshindo, Konjaku Kimono Akio, Salon Naramachi, Bambuno, Cherry's Spoon and LAMP BAR. A stamp is earned only when using a participating shop's service, buying something or dining there, while a stay earns two. Collect three stamps in the campaign booklet for one no-blank draw, up to three draws per booklet. The organizer lists more than 420 points and one booklet per person. The prize-draw goal is in front of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Sanjo on Sanjo-dori; it is not one of the Higashimuki shop venues. Confirm the official point list and each shop's opening before visiting. The 2026 edition ends November 9; no 2027 dates are confirmed.
Kōfuku-ji Hokuen-dō Autumn Special Opening
Kōfuku-ji's 2026 autumn opening lets visitors see the normally closed octagonal hall and its celebrated Kamakura-period sculptures. The temple lists 09:00–17:00 admission, with final entry at 16:45; tickets are ¥500 for adults/university students, ¥300 for junior/high-school students and ¥200 for elementary pupils. Crowds may cause temporary entry limits.
The 78th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures
The museum's annual autumn exhibition presents selected objects from the Shōsō-in collection, including courtly craft, ritual objects and documentary evidence from eighth-century Nara. It is held in the East and West New Wings, not at the Shōsō-in storehouse. Timed-entry admission is required for most visitors; listed hours are 08:00–18:00 and until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Ticket availability and the final-entry cutoff can change by date, so check the official page before travelling.
- Time
- 08:00–18:00; until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Last entry is 60 minutes before closing.
- Admission
- Timed-entry admission: adults ¥2,000; university/high-school students ¥1,500; elementary/junior-high students ¥500. Same-day tickets, if available, cost ¥2,200 / ¥1,700 / ¥700 respectively; late-entry rates and eligible free admission apply.
- Booking
- Most visitors need a timed-entry ticket for a specified date and entry window. Buy online or through Lawson Ticket; same-day tickets are sold only if that time slot has capacity. Check availability before travelling.
Shūya no Nara Tabi: World Heritage Night Openings (2026)
Nara City Tourism Association's seventh Shūya no Nara Tabi programme brings limited night visits to five World Heritage temples and a separately bookable Mount Wakakusa night-view bus. It began in 2020 and is promoted as a way to experience Nara's historic sites after dark. Each temple has different operating Saturdays, hours and admission; the official schedule below preserves those differences. Temple visits do not require reservations, but the bus does. At Gangō-ji, photography is allowed outdoors only; indoor photography and tripods, monopods or ladders are prohibited. Check the association's current notice for access and transport changes before travelling.
- Time
- Temple openings: Kōfuku-ji Oct 31 and Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, 17:30–21:00; Kasuga Taisha Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, 17:30–20:00; Gangō-ji on those four November Saturdays, 18:00–20:00; Tōshōdai-ji and Yakushi-ji Nov 7 and 21, 17:30–20:30. Optional night-view bus runs Oct 31 and each November Saturday; depart JR Nara 16:10 or Kintetsu Nara 16:15.
- Admission
- Separate admission at each temple: Kasuga Taisha ¥700; Kōfuku-ji adults ¥500, junior/senior high students ¥300, elementary pupils ¥200 (rear chamber costs the same again); Gangō-ji ¥700; Tōshōdai-ji ¥500; Yakushi-ji ¥1,000. Optional reserved round-trip bus: adults ¥2,000, children ¥1,000.
- Booking
- Advance reservation is not required for the five temple visits. The optional Mount Wakakusa bus requires advance booking through Nara Kotsu; check the official campaign page for the booking link and return arrangements. Each temple's session and ticket are separate.
Kōfuku-ji Tōkon-dō Rear Chamber Special Opening
For the 1,300th anniversary of the Eastern Golden Hall, Kōfuku-ji will open its normally closed rear chamber, including the wooden statue of Shōryōchi Taishō. The 2026 opening runs 09:00–17:00, with final ticket sales at 16:45. The special ticket is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥600 for junior/high-school students and ¥400 for elementary pupils; a four-site combination ticket is also offered. Check current entry and ticketing details before visiting.
- Time
- 09:00–17:00; ticket sales end at 16:45.
- Admission
- Special opening: adults ¥1,000, junior/high-school students ¥600, elementary pupils ¥400. A four-site combination ticket is also available.
- Booking
- The operator directs visitors to buy tickets from the vending machine at the temple's Kanjinjo; its notice does not require advance reservation.
Saidaiji Autumn Ō-chamori Tea Ceremony (2026)
Saidaiji's 2026 autumn Ō-chamori is scheduled for November 1. The temple moved the annual autumn ceremony to the first Sunday in November from 2026; this distinctive tea rite is associated with Eison and has been held since the 13th century. The main service takes place in Kōmyō-den at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00. Advance applications request the participant's name, group size, preferred time and contact details; same-day tickets are sold at the Aizendō reception while available, but do not guarantee a preferred session. The participation fee is ¥4,000. The programme also lists a secondary tea service, visits to three halls, a special prayer and talk, and soba; confirm current availability and any changes with the temple.
- Admission
- ¥4,000 per person, payable at reception
- Booking
- Apply in advance with the representative's name, number of participants, preferred seating time and contact details. Same-day tickets may be sold at the Aizendō reception, subject to availability; a preferred time is not guaranteed. Call Saidaiji at 0742-45-4700 to confirm remaining places.
Autumn Heijō-kyō Tempyo Procession: Pilgrimage to Tōdai-ji (2026)
The 2026 procession commemorates Emperor Shōmu and Empress Kōmyō, whose era is associated with Tōdai-ji's founding; the organizer expects about 120 participants. The announced route starts at JR Nara Station, follows Sanjō Street and the Kasuga Taisha approach, passes Ukigumo Enchi and Tōdai-ji, then continues via Kasugano Enchi to Nara Kasugano International Forum. A separate Nara-period market and costume experience is scheduled at Ukigumo Enchi from 10:00 to 16:00. The procession participant application has closed. No spectator ticket or reserved viewing area is specified; the notices also do not state the public admission conditions inside the Great Buddha Hall during the procession, so confirm before travel. The Tourism Association says severe weather cancels the programme and there is no event parking. This single 2026 edition does not establish an annual autumn recurrence.
- Time
- Procession approx. 13:00–16:00; Ukigumo Enchi market and Tempyo costume experience 10:00–16:00
- Admission
- No spectator or Ukigumo Enchi experience fee is stated in the reviewed notices. This does not confirm free entry to the interior of Tōdai-ji's Great Buddha Hall.
- Booking
- Applications to join the procession closed in September 2026. The organizer does not specify whether advance arrangements are needed to watch the route or take part in the Ukigumo Enchi experience; reconfirm with the committee.
Matsuo-dera Yakuyoke Kannon Special Opening (2026)
Matsuo-dera's current official notice confirms that the normally hidden principal Yakuyoke Kannon will be open in the main hall on November 3, 2026, from 09:00 to 16:00. The temple and Nara Prefecture list admission at ¥1,000; the temple says the principal image is shown on this one day each year, while the prefectural listing includes the Toneri Prince image and damaged Buddhist statue in the visit. Confirm any changes with the temple before travelling.
Matsuo-dera and Nara Prefecture — 2026 special openingSource checked 28 Oct 2026Ryōsen-ji Three-Story Pagoda Mural Opening (2026)
Ryōsen-ji confirms a one-day opening of the first storey of its Important Cultural Property three-storey pagoda on November 3, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00. The four doors are opened for viewing from outside; entry into the tower is not allowed. No separate mural fee is charged beyond the temple's entrance admission. Follow on-site directions and check for a same-day change before visiting.
- Admission
- No separate mural fee; 2026 autumn temple admission is ¥1,000 adult / ¥500 child. Confirm current charges.
Heaven River Maple Festival (2026)
Nara Prefecture's current official event notice confirms the 2026 Heaven River Maple Festival for November 7–8 at Tenkawa Village Office and the Village Museum parking lot in Dorogawa. Its programme lists local and Hirakata City product markets, a taiko performance, a children's exhibition, a Self-Defense Forces equipment display, helicopter sightseeing flights, a Dorogawa walking rally and a prize drawing. The notice warns that traffic controls will operate both days and parking is prohibited throughout roads around Mitarai Valley; use public transport or the free event shuttle. The notice gives neither an event-wide admission price nor shuttle timetable, so check the municipality's latest update before travel. The exact activity sites and times beyond these venue areas are not specified in the current notice.
Kotohogu Nara: A Journey through Time (2026)
Nara City's tenth-anniversary art programme brings contemporary installations, performances and cultural activities into historic and everyday city spaces. The city identifies Tōdai-ji Kannon-in, Tsubai Market, Kitayama Jūhachikendō and Gyōki Plaza among the venues; the full programme also includes separate sessions at Naramachi Center. Viewing is free, but some talks and participatory sessions have their own schedules or application conditions. Check the official programme before choosing a venue or setting out. The individual venue entries are grouped here to keep the destination calendar useful rather than listing every component separately.
- Admission
- Nara City states that programme viewing is free; any separately stated participation or application conditions vary by programme.
- Booking
- The city announcement lists free viewing overall, but individual talks and participatory sessions may have separate application conditions. Check the current programme for each activity.
Sakuramotobō Special Opening of the Tenmu Emperor Image 2026
For this nine-day annual opening, visitors can see the normally hidden image of Emperor Tenmu in the main hall and enter Hōjū-dō, the normally closed treasure hall. The temple's current autumn notice lists 08:30–16:00 viewing, ¥1,000 for adults, ¥800 for junior and senior high school students, and free entry for elementary-school children and younger. Yoshino Mountain Tourism Association also highlights the November opening. Reconfirm hours, fees and any worship-time restrictions before visiting.
Sakuramotobō — 2026 Tenmu image special opening and autumn visitor termsSource checked 28 Oct 2026Traditional Deer Antler-Cutting Event at Rokuen (2026)
The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation's 2026 notice confirms that this traditional deer-management demonstration moved from October to November beginning in 2025. Sessions run 11:45–15:00, with entry from 11:15 and last admission at 14:30. Admission is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary-school children; standing room is divided into timed rotations. Light rain does not stop the event, but severe weather may cancel it. The venue is not barrier-free, pets and tripods are prohibited, and there is no parking. This dated notice is the current edition of an annual tradition; future dates and terms are not assumed. Confirm the operator's notice for changes before travel.
Hikari no Junrei: Tsubosaka-dera Night Opening (2026)
Tsubosaka-dera joins Okadera and Murō-ji for the Hikari no Junrei night opening, with illuminated umbrellas and bamboo lanterns in the precinct. The temple confirms its November 20–29 dates and a 20:00 closing time. Nara Prefecture Tourism lists ¥800 for adults and ¥200 for high-school students and younger for this night-viewing event; its listing does not say whether a separate night surcharge applies. Check the operator for current access, return transport and weather changes. The 2026 dates are announced, not a recurring-date guarantee.
Special Hōryū-ji West En-dō and Fujinoki Kofun Tour (2026)
Ikaruga Town lists this two-date programme as one of the main projects in its new cultural-property initiative. On November 22 and 28, a cultural-property specialist guides visitors through Ikaruga Cultural Heritage Center and Fujinoki Kofun's normally closed stone chamber, followed by a monk-led visit to Hōryū-ji's West En-dō. This rare access is by a booked tour only; the tomb chamber and hall do not thereby become generally open to visitors.
- Time
- Meet at Hōryū-ji i Center at 13:30; planned finish around 15:10. Times may change.
- Admission
- ¥8,800 per person (adults and children). Includes guide and receiver, Ikaruga Cultural Heritage Center admission, tomb cooperation fee, Hōryū-ji admission, and a limited goshuin; travel to the meeting point is extra.
- Booking
- Advance booking through tabiwa is required, and a WESTER account is needed. Applications close 10 days before departure. Minimum departure is 12 participants; Japan Travel may cancel around 20 days beforehand if the minimum is not met. Current seat availability is not stated on the information page. A temple service may also cancel special access after departure confirmation.
Winter Deer Gathering at Tobihino (December 2026)
The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation lists a free, reservation-free programme organized by the Nara Prefecture Ryokan and Hotel Association's Nara branch. Sessions are at 10:00 once per day from December 1 through 14, except December 13. Rain is permitted, while severe weather or organizer decisions may change or cancel the programme. The listed venue is Tobihino in the Kasuga Taisha precinct; check the organizer's notice before travel. ANDO HOTEL's general seasonal page describes a guest shuttle for December 1–14 but omits the December 13 exception; the hotel has not confirmed whether its shuttle runs that day, so verify directly and do not assume service on December 13.
Kizō-in Shinpen Daibosatsu Memorial Goma Rite 2026
Kizō-in identifies the Shinpen Daibosatsu Memorial Great Goma as its largest annual observance. Its October 2026 notice invites many worshippers and sets the rite for December 6: reception from 09:00, assembly at Kinpusen-ji's Zaō-dō forecourt at 10:30, procession at 11:00 and goma from 11:30. The notice asks affiliated groups to report attendance by November 27. Kizō-in's 2025 notice explicitly said worship was open to all; the 2026 flyer does not spell out independent visitor positions, the exact goma ground, any fee or transport arrangements. Confirm these details with the temple before a special trip. The Yoshino Mountain Tourism Association lists about 450 yamabushi for this annual observance; that figure describes the ascetic procession, not audience size.
Kizō-in — December 2026 fire rite notice and scheduleSource checked 28 Oct 2026Nara Marathon 2026
The 17th Nara Marathon is scheduled across two days. The 2026 Expo is planned for December 12, 10:00–20:00, and December 13, 07:00–15:30, in a temporary area in front of Rohto Field Nara. The organizer describes food and product sales for runners and general visitors, exhibits, hands-on activities and stage programming; the current notice does not state an admission fee. The mini race starts at 14:00 on December 12. On December 13, the marathon and pair relay start at 09:00 and the World Heritage 10K at 09:30. The official start/finish and runner check-in venue is Rohto Nara Konoike Park. The organizer's 10K route description confirms that runners pass through Nara Park, along the Kasuga Taisha approach and by Tōdai-ji; the full course also meets the park's deer at its early and late stages. The park is route context, not the race's start or event venue. Runner registration windows have passed; Expo attendance is separate from runner entry. Road restrictions are planned on December 13, so check the organizer's traffic-control map before travelling or choosing a viewing point.
- Time
- Expo: December 12, 10:00–20:00; December 13, 07:00–15:30. Race starts: December 12 mini race 14:00; December 13 marathon/pair relay 09:00 and World Heritage 10K 09:30.
- Admission
- No Expo or spectator admission price is stated. Runner entry fees vary by race; marathon entry was ¥13,500–¥15,000, excluding applicable entry fees.
- Booking
- Runner registration closed July 9, 2026. The organizer describes the Expo as open to runners and general visitors but does not state a visitor-ticket or reservation process; confirm with the organizer before making a special trip.
Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri 2026
Kasuga's annual four-day December festival reaches its 891st edition on December 15–18, 2026. On December 17, the Owatarishiki procession is scheduled to leave the prefectural government area at noon and reach the Otabisho after travelling through central Nara; the Otabisho Festival begins around 14:30, followed by performances into the evening. The 2026 guide lists an official viewing stand at Todai-ji Enchi in front of the prefectural office (¥2,000, 11:30–12:30), as well as seats at the first torii and Otabisho. Other seats cost ¥5,000–¥10,000; same-day allocation depends on remaining seats. The published booking period runs through December 14; verify live availability and weather updates. The midnight Sengyo-no-gi is conducted in darkness: photography and personal lights are prohibited.
Ryōsen-ji Yakushi Triad New Year Viewing (2027)
Nara Prefecture's official Prayer Corridor listing confirms that Ryōsen-ji's normally hidden Important Cultural Property Yakushi Triad will be shown in the Main Hall from 10:00 to 16:00 on January 1–3, 2027. The prefectural venue profile lists admission as free during the New Year period. This daytime viewing is separate from the temple's New Year prayer services: the temple and the Tourism Association's descriptive event text give the same daily services, while the Association's separate basic-information field inconsistently lists 20:00. Confirm any changes and viewing arrangements with Ryōsen-ji before visiting.
- Time
- 10:00–16:00
- Admission
- Free during January 1–3 according to Nara Prefecture's official facility profile; confirm current terms.
Tōdai-ji New Year's Eve Bell Ringing (2026–27)
Nara City Tourism Association lists the bell ringing at Tōdai-ji from midnight on January 1, 2027. Its current year-end guide says groups of about eight take turns using four small ropes to ring the bell 108 times. Tōdai-ji's annual instructions say places are first-come and that commemorative printed slips are normally distributed from around 22:30 on December 31; people who leave the queue and fail to reassemble by 23:45 may lose their place. The temple has not published a separate 2026–27 notice in the sources checked, so reconfirm queue, access and timing before travelling. The notices do not state a fee.
- Time
- From 00:00 on January 1, 2027
- Admission
- Not stated in the checked notices.
- Booking
- The temple's current annual guidance describes first-come participation and printed slips distributed from around 22:30 on December 31; it warns that visitors must reassemble by 23:45 after obtaining a slip. Confirm the 2026–27 queue arrangements with the temple.
Winter Deer Gathering at Tobihino (January–February 2027)
The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation lists ten sessions: January 10, 11, 17 and 31; February 7, 11, 14, 21, 23 and 28. There is no session on January 24. The free programme starts at 10:00 once per listed day and does not require a reservation; rain is permitted, while severe weather or organizer decisions may change or cancel it. The venue is Tobihino in the Kasuga Taisha precinct. Confirm current notices before travelling.
Kakinoha-zushi Fair (2027)
The fair's executive committee has announced a second edition at Tenpyō Mitsuki Hall in Heijō Palace Site Historical Park. It lists January 23–24, 2027 and 10:00–16:00, while saying the detailed programme will follow. The 2026 edition featured tastings, making, a competition and talks, but those activities, prices and participating brands are not yet confirmed for 2027. Check the organizer's latest notice before travelling; Hyōtarō has not yet confirmed participation in this edition.
Wakakusa Yamayaki 2027
The 2027 edition is officially scheduled for Saturday, January 23. The sacred-fire procession leaves Tobihino at about 17:05 and passes Mizuya Bridge at about 17:25 en route to Nogami Shrine. The organizer identifies Kasugano Enchi and Ukigumo Enchi among the free public viewing areas in Nara Park; tickets are required for the paid foothill gate and Nara Park Bus Terminal rooftop zones. Free areas are expected to be very crowded, and the organizer prohibits leisure sheets and reserving spaces in all viewing areas. Individual public ticket prices are not yet published and are expected in early November. Mizuya Chaya is by the bridge, but the organizer does not identify the shop as a venue or viewing area; opening and access during the procession are unconfirmed. Weather or safety instructions can change the event. Nara Okuyama Driveway's Shin-Wakakusayama Course will close from 14:00 to 20:00, while the Takamadoyama Course remains open; this is a traffic restriction, not an event at the driveway.
Kasuga Taisha Setsubun Mantoro (2027)
Kasuga Taisha's annual Setsubun Mantoro lights about 3,000 stone and hanging lanterns in prayer. The shrine and Nara City Tourism Association list the 2027 special visit from around 18:00; the shrine's annual guide also lists bugaku around 17:30 and a planned 20:30 closing. A special inner-corridor visit is listed at ¥700, with lantern offerings available from ¥3,000. Schedules and access can change; check the shrine's latest notice.
- Time
- Lanterns from about 18:00; closing planned for 20:30
- Admission
- ¥700 for the special inner-corridor visit according to the shrine's annual guide; a lantern offering is available from ¥3,000. Reconfirm current terms.
- Booking
- No advance booking is stated for the general event. The annual calendar lists a paid special inner-corridor visit; confirm entry procedures and any crowd limits with the shrine.
Nigatsu-dō Setsubun (2027)
Tōdai-ji's Nigatsu-dō is scheduled to hold its Setsubun rites on February 3, 2027. The temple's annual programme and the Nara City Tourism Association's dated notice list the burning of old talismans around 10:00, bean-throwing after the 14:00 service, and a star-protection rite at 18:00. The public bean distribution is from a temporary stage in the plaza in front of Hokke-dō; crowd limits may apply. The published schedule can change, and no separate event fee or reservation procedure is stated. Check Tōdai-ji's latest notice before travelling.
- Time
- Old-talisman burning around 10:00; bean-throwing after the 14:00 service; star rite at 18:00
- Admission
- No event-specific fee is stated in the checked notices; confirm any separate admission arrangements with Tōdai-ji.
- Booking
- No reservation procedure is stated. The temple warns that crowd capacity can limit access to the bean-throwing area; follow current on-site directions.
Shiawase Kairō Nara Rurie (2027)
The Nara City Tourism Association lists the 2027 Shiawase Kairō Nara Rurie for February 8–14, 18:00–21:00, across the Nara Park area and names Kasuga Taisha, Kōfuku-ji and Tōdai-ji. The listing describes illuminated routes, evening temple visits, a market, guided lantern walks and a final-day Nara Park birthday fireworks programme; the event committee has not yet published its 2027 programme on its own site, so confirm which activities, sites, fees, booking rules and weather arrangements will operate before travelling. Use public transport because crowding is expected and there is no dedicated event parking. This is an announced schedule, not a claim that the event has occurred.
- Time
- 18:00–21:00
- Admission
- The 2027 listing does not specify event admission, individual temple-entry charges or paid-program prices.
- Booking
- The organizer has not published the 2027 programme or reservation terms. Check its official site for activity-specific booking and access details.
Tōdai-ji Shuni-e and Otaimatsu (2027)
Tōdai-ji's 1,276th Shuni-e is listed for March 1–14, 2027 at Nigatsu-dō. The Nara City Tourism Association's current notice says Otaimatsu viewing is generally permitted March 1–14 except March 12, but viewing areas have capacity limits: once the main lawn and plaza fill, visitors are directed to a second viewing area, and viewing ends when that area also fills. On March 12, visitors should avoid attending because severe crowding is expected; the second area can close when full and listening inside the hall is limited to authorised people. The temple says schedules and restrictions can change. No booking or event fee is stated in the checked notices; verify the latest temple guidance before travel. Do not photograph or record where the temple prohibits it.
- Admission
- No event-specific fee is stated in the checked notices; confirm any separate admission arrangements with Tōdai-ji.
- Booking
- No reservation process is stated. Viewing is capacity controlled and may stop when both designated areas fill; on March 12 the temple asks people to avoid attendance and limits hall listening to authorised persons.
Asuka Half Marathon 2027
The organizer confirms a 21.0975 km half marathon from 09:00 to 12:30 on March 14, 2027, with a first-come capacity of 3,000 runners. The general entry filled on October 9, 2026, well before its original December deadline; the organizer's notice thanks applicants but does not publish the final number of accepted runners. The course starts and finishes at Kitora Tumulus Shijin-no-Yakata and passes the Tenmu and Jitō tombs, Kawaradera, Tachibanadera, Ishibutai, the Inabuchi terraces and Takamatsuzuka-area roads. This is useful to spectators and anyone planning to visit these sites that day, not an invitation to enter. The start/finish is a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Asuka Station; there is no participant parking, road restrictions begin near the venue at 08:00, and station-area congestion is expected. A free general-visitor shuttle runs from the venue back to Asuka Station from 10:00 to 14:00, but not before the race. Check the organizer's latest access and course notices before travelling.
- Time
- Race: 09:00–12:30; roads near the main venue restricted from 08:00
- Admission
- Runner entry was ¥6,000; the general entry reached its 3,000-person cap and closed October 9, 2026. No spectator admission fee is stated.
- Booking
- General runner entry is closed after reaching capacity. The organizer does not publish a spectator registration process; follow its visitor-access guidance and do not enter the course.
Saidaiji Spring Ō-chamori Tea Ceremony (2027)
The Nara City Tourism Association lists Saidaiji's spring Ō-chamori for April 10–11, 2027, 09:00–15:00 with reception until 14:00. Participants share matcha served in an exceptionally large bowl, continuing a tea rite associated with the 13th-century monk Eison. Saidaiji identifies spring Ō-chamori as one of its two core annual events. The Association recommends booking in advance and says same-day tickets are available; both it and the temple's 2027 price notice list ¥5,000 per person. The 2026 ¥4,000 rate predates the announced 2027 increase. The exact session venue, booking method and capacity are not yet detailed in the dated 2027 notice; contact the temple before making a special trip. The customary spring dates are the second Sunday in April and the preceding Saturday.
- Time
- 09:00–15:00; reception until 14:00 (Nara City Tourism Association listing)
- Admission
- The Nara City Tourism Association lists ¥5,000 per person, matching Saidaiji's announced fee from 2027. The ¥4,000 amount in the 2026 notice is the previous rate.
- Booking
- The Tourism Association recommends advance booking and reports same-day tickets in its general event information. The 2027 edition's application method, capacity and availability are not confirmed in Saidaiji's current dated notice; contact the temple before making a special trip.