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Event Guide · Kansai

Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri Festival

DecemberNara2026: Dec 15 (Tue) – Dec 18 (Fri); Owatari-shiki on Dec 17 (Thu)
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Overview

Overview

The annual festival of Wakamiya Shrine, an auxiliary shrine of Kasuga Taisha, said to have been started in 1136 by the regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi. Rituals and performing arts continue from December 15 to 18. On the 17th, the Wakamiya deity is welcomed to the Otabisho (temporary shrine), and in the Owatari-shiki, a historical procession of about 1,000 people and around 50 horses in costumes from the Heian to Edo periods parades through Nara. The Owatari-shiki and the ritual performing arts offered at the festival are designated as a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

When
Usually December 15–18 (the Owatari-shiki starts at noon on December 17)
Confirmed dates: 2026: Dec 15 (Tue) – Dec 18 (Fri); Owatari-shiki on Dec 17 (Thu)
Venue
Kasuga Taisha (Wakamiya Shrine), the Otabisho (on the Kasuga Taisha approach) and central Nara (Owatari-shiki procession)
Official website
https://onmatsuri.kasugataisha.or.jp/
Highlights

Highlights

The Owatari-shiki, with 12 groups including shrine maidens, Seinoo dancers, sarugaku, dengaku, yabusame horseback archers and a daimyo procession, is a "moving historical picture scroll" showing customs from the Heian through Edo periods all at once. At the midnight Senko no Gi, you can witness the solemn sight of the deity moving along the pitch-dark approach amid incense smoke and the sound of gagaku court music.

Times

Times

Senko no Gi (transfer of the deity)Dec 17, 0:00–

A midnight rite transferring the Wakamiya deity to the Otabisho. It takes place in sacred darkness with every light along the approach extinguished, and even flashlights are not allowed. From the event guide on the official website (no year specified)

Owatari-shiki (historical procession)Dec 17, 12:00–

Proceeds from in front of the Nara Prefectural Office → in front of Kintetsu Nara Station → Sanjo-dori → the Otabisho. In 2025 it ran from 12:00 to around 14:30, with the Matsu-no-shita-shiki along the way at around 13:00 (Nara City Tourism Association)

Otabisho-sai (Otabisho festival)Dec 17, 14:30–

Performing arts such as kagura, bugaku and dengaku are offered on the turf stage at the Otabisho until night

Kanko no Gi (return of the deity)Dec 17, around 23:00

The rite in which the deity returns to Wakamiya Shrine. As with the Senko no Gi, lights are strictly forbidden

Sumo offering and Goen-no (post-festival Noh)Dec 18: sumo 13:00– / Noh 14:00–

Held on a special sumo ring on the south side of the Otabisho and on the Otabisho turf stage. 2025 example (Nara City Tourism Association / Nanto Kanko)

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The Owatari-shiki leaves from in front of the Nara Prefectural Office at noon and heads to the Otabisho via Kintetsu Nara Station and Sanjo-dori. The procession is long, so it's most efficient to wait at one spot along the route and watch it pass
  • ✓If you want a guaranteed seat, special paid viewing stands are available (in 2025: 2,000 yen at Noborioji Park, 5,000–5,500 yen at the Matsu-no-shita-shiki, 10,000 yen in front of the Otabisho). Check the sales period and prices each year in announcements from the Nara City Tourism Association and others
  • ✓At the midnight Senko no Gi and the Kanko no Gi around 23:00, etiquette is to refrain from photography, flashlights and even the light of smartphone screens. Attend in silence
  • ✓The Otabisho-sai continues from around 14:30 into the night, and you can watch the performing arts offered on the outdoor turf stage for free. You'll be watching outdoors for a long time, so dress very warmly
  • ✓In December, the sun sets early in Nara and it gets cold. If you attend the late-night rites, buses and trains will have stopped running by then, so it's best to book accommodation within walking distance
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Kintetsu Nara StationAbout a 15 min walk (to the Otabisho)The Owatari-shiki passes in front of the station
  • JR Nara StationAbout a 25 min walk (to the Otabisho)Taking the bus is convenient
  • Nara Kotsu bus stop "Kasuga Taisha Omotesando"Right next to the Otabisho / about a 10 min walk to the Kasuga Taisha main hallAbout 9–13 min on the city loop bus (outer loop)
  • Nara Kotsu bus stop "Kasuga Taisha Honden"Right at the bus stopAbout 11–15 min on the bus bound for Kasuga Taisha Honden
From major stations
  • Osaka-Namba Station: Kintetsu Nara Line (Rapid Express) to Kintetsu Nara Station (About 40 min)
  • Kyoto Station: Kintetsu Kyoto Line (Express or Limited Express), change at Yamato-Saidaiji to Kintetsu Nara Station (About 35–50 min)
  • JR Nara Station / Kintetsu Nara Station: Nara Kotsu bus (bound for Kasuga Taisha Honden, or the city loop outer route) (About 10–15 min)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica can be used on Kintetsu, JR and Nara Kotsu buses
Getting back
  • During the Owatari-shiki there are traffic restrictions around the route, and buses may be delayed. Walking from Kintetsu Nara Station is often faster
  • After the midnight Senko no Gi (0:00) and the Kanko no Gi (around 23:00), you may miss the last bus or train. Check last departure times in advance, or stay overnight in Nara
  • Taxis are easy to find in front of JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station, but there are often waits right after events end
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
In front of Kintetsu Nara Station, along Sanjo-dori and in front of the Otabisho during the Owatari-shiki on December 17 (noon to around 14:30). Even busier in years when the 17th falls on a weekend
Quieter times
Daytime rites on the 15th and 16th, and the sumo offering and Goen-no on the 18th, are relatively calm
Saving a spot
To secure a front-row spot along the free route, aim to arrive about an hour before the Owatari-shiki departs (12:00). Spots in front of the Otabisho and near the Matsu-no-shita-shiki fill up especially quickly. With a paid viewing stand seat, there's no need to claim a spot
Time needed
About 2–3 hours to watch the Owatari-shiki. Half a day into the evening if you also stay for the Otabisho-sai
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
December normals in Nara are lows of about 1°C and highs of about 10°C (reference values based on JMA normals). Late at night it can get close to freezing
What to wear
A thick down coat, gloves, scarf, hat and disposable heat packs are essential. You'll be standing still outdoors for a long time, so keeping your feet warm (thick socks, thick-soled shoes) also matters
Rain, snow & typhoons
No criteria for cancellation or changes have been published. Check official announcements for changes in bad weather
Where to check for cancellations
Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri official website (https://onmatsuri.kasugataisha.or.jp/), Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri Preservation Society office (0742-22-7788), Nara City Tourism Association
☁ Kansai weather in December →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not use any lights (flashlights, smartphone screens, flash) during the Senko no Gi and Kanko no Gi. Refrain from chatting and attend quietly
  • !Do not enter the path of the procession or the ritual areas. Do not touch priests, procession participants or horses
  • !At Kasuga Taisha, bow once before the torii gate, avoid walking down the center of the approach, and purify yourself at the water basin before praying (bow twice, clap twice, bow once)
  • !The deer around Nara Park are wild animals. Do not feed them anything other than deer crackers, and take your trash home
  • !Refrain from using tripods and selfie sticks along the crowded route. Flying drones around Nara Park generally requires permission
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Use the public toilets at Kasuga Taisha and in Nara Park, or shopping facilities around Kintetsu Nara Station. They get crowded during the Owatari-shiki
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station. They fill up quickly on festival days, so it is best to leave suitcases at your hotel before coming
Paying at food stalls
Most street stalls around the Otabisho are cash only. Have small change ready
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) around Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The Kasuga Taisha approach has gravel paths and slopes, making it hard to get around with a wheelchair or stroller. Watch your step during the late-night rites, which are held in darkness
Food

Food

Local favorites
Kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)Narazuke (pickles cured in sake lees)Miwa somen (served hot as nyumen)Street stall food around the Otabisho
Vegetarian & halal
Street stalls rarely have vegetarian or halal labels. Check in advance with restaurants in central Nara
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Mid-December comes after the autumn leaves season, so booking is relatively easy, but if you plan to attend the midnight Senko no Gi, secure accommodation within walking distance (around Kintetsu Nara Station) early for peace of mind

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Kansai

January

Wakakusa Yamayaki

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually the fourth Saturday of January (fireworks from around 18:15 in the evening, ignition around 18:30)

Photo coming soonJanuary–February

Kobe Luminarie

Kansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen

Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)

2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7

February

Baikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)

Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)

May

Aoi Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May

2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)

May–October

Noryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15

July

Gion Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)

July

Tenjin Matsuri

Kansai ・ Osaka

Every year on July 24 (Yoimiya) and 25 (Hongu). Related events from late June

2027: Jul 24 (Yoimiya) & Jul 25 (Hongu) (held on the same dates every year)

Photo coming soonJuly

Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri)

Kansai ・ Shirahama & Nanki

Every year on July 14 (held during the day; Yoimiya offering events are also held the day before, on the 13th)

2027: Jul 14 (held every year on July 14)

August

Koyasan Candle Festival (Mando Kuyo-e)

Kansai ・ Koyasan

Every year on August 13 (the candle festival runs from evening into the night; the Mando Kuyo-e memorial service starts at 20:00)

2027: Aug 13 (held every year on August 13)

September–October

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival

Kansai ・ Osaka

The September festival is usually on a weekend in mid- to late September, and the October festival on a weekend in early to mid-October (2 days each)

Next: 2026 October festival (Higashi-Kishiwada district and others), Oct 10 – Oct 11. The 2026 September festival was held Sep 19 – Sep 20

Photo coming soonOctober–November

Annual Exhibition of Shōsōin Treasures

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually late October to early November (about 2–3 weeks)

2026 (78th): Oct 24 – Nov 9, open every day during the exhibition

October

Kanname-sai

Kansai ・ Ise & Shima

Usually October 15–17 (Geku first, then Naiku). Hatsuhobiki is usually on October 15 and 16

2026: Oct 15 – Oct 17 (Geku: night of Oct 15 – Oct 16; Naiku: night of Oct 16 – Oct 17)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

PRKlookBest of Kyoto and Nara: Kiyomizu-dera, Nara Park, Todai-ji and MoreA day bus tour visiting Nara Park, Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha on Course A (English, Chinese and Korean guides)View