Experience Nara’s traditions while seeing scenery full of quaint atmosphere! 3 recommended events held in late-January

Nara city in January doesn’t more tourists than in other seasons, so it’s a chance to enjoy sightseeing leisurely. Since it is the beginning of the year, it’s also time when traditional events to pray for New Year’s happiness are held. Besides, a festival allowing you to experience various traditions all over Nara prefecture will be taken place in a world heritage. Why not go on a trip for strolling Nara unique to winter leisurely?

This time, we’re introducing 3 traditional events whose venues you can get to by bus from JR and Kintetsu Nara Station without any transfers.

“Mt. WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI” dyeing the night sky of Japan’s ancient capital fiery color

Surrounded by many world heritage sites such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine, Mt. Wakakusa holds a traditional event, the signs of early spring, “Mt. WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI” every year on the 4th Saturday of January. When sounds of the conch shell and trumpet echo throughout the venue, the fire gradually covers all across the mountain and lights up the night sky. In addition, the fireworks festival during which rare fireworks ‘Shakudama’ are launched is taken place before YAMAYAKI. These bright light colors the clear winter night sky. In the surrounding area, you can also experience the old history of Nara while enjoying Jidai Gyoretsu (procession expressing history) and traditional dishes handed down in temples and shrines.

Period	25th January, 2020　From 4:45PM ※Please check the event schedule on the official website.
Venue	The base of Mt. Wakakusa ※Please check venues located in the area surrounding Mt. Wakakusa on the official website.
Access	A 5-min walk from Kasugataisha Honden which is a 8-min bus ride from Kintetsu Nara Station.
URL	http://nara-park.com/yamayaki-en/

“Ootateyama2020 Nara Chitose HoguHogu Matsuri” allowing you to experience traditions of Nara in the world heritage

Speaking of a festival that can be enjoyed at the same time as Mt. WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI, it’s “Ootateyama2020 Nara Chitose HoguHogu Matsuri.” Ootateyama is giant Shitenno (the Four Devas)-shaped floats with a height of about 7 meters. Only during the period of the festival, they are displayed in front of Suzakumon Gate. When it gets dark, they are lit up and has a stronger presence. Besides, various events full of Nara’s attractions are also held. Feel like as if you’re going around Nara prefecture by singing and dancing together with dancers who perform festivals and traditional events unique to Nara, savoring exquisite foods selected from each region, joining workshops using local specialties and so on. It might also be good to participate in ‘Heijokyogu Relay Marathon’ to run while feeling the Nara period (Application deadline is 13th January 2020).

Period	25th January,2020 – 26th January, 2020
Venue	Around Suzaku-mon Hiroba Square in Nara Palace Site Historical Park (4-6-1 Ojiminami, Nijo, Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
Access	Shuttle buses are available from JR Nara Station West Exit to the venue.
URL	https://hoguhogunara.jp/english/

“Sasazake Festival” to pray for your best health with Sasazake that the ancient emperor loved

‘Daianji Temple’ with a history of more than 1,300 years is related to Prince Shotoku and ancient emperors. Every year on 23rd January, it holds “Sasazake Festival” to wish health and long life of visitors. Just by seeing women in Kimono serving hot Sasazake in thick bamboo cylinders, you can feel a quaint atmosphere. It seems that Emperor Konin who lived a long life often drank sake poured into a bamboo of Daianji Temple, and the sake is called ‘Sasazake’ now. Let’s wish you will stay in good health this year while enjoying the pleasant scent of green bamboo.

Period	23rd January, 2020　8:00AM – 4:00PM
Venue	Daianji Temple (2-18-1, Daianji, Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
Access	About 8-min walk from Daianji which is a 9-min bus ride from JR Nara Station.
URL	https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/E02005/