Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri 2026
A 890-year-old festival whose daytime parade marches costumes from the Heian through Edo eras through central Nara.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/12/15 – 2026/12/18
- Where
- Kasuga Taisha and central Nara（160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara）
- City
- Nara
- Getting there
- Bus from Kintetsu or JR Nara to the Kasuga Taisha area; the procession runs along Sanjo-dori and Noborioji.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Kasuga Taisha
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Bus from Kintetsu or JR Nara to the Kasuga Taisha area; the procession runs along Sanjo-dori and Noborioji. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, solo-goers
Highlights
- The Dec 17 Jidai-gyoretsu time-period costume parade
- Sacred court music and dance through the day and night
- Nearly 900 years of unbroken tradition
Background & story
Held continuously for around 890 years, the festival is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property whose midday procession recreates costumes spanning the Heian to Edo periods.
Good to know
The midday procession on Dec 17 is the most accessible part; the late-night sacred rituals are atmospheric but cold — dress warmly.