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Event Guide · Kansai

Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji Nigatsu-do

MarchNara2027 (the 1,276th): Mar 1 – Mar 14
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Overview

Overview

A Buddhist rite at Todai-ji's Nigatsu-do Hall that has continued without a single break since the Nara period. For two weeks from March 1 to 14, monks known as rengyoshu repent on behalf of the people and pray for peace and prosperity. It is best known for the Otaimatsu, when huge torches are carried onto the hall's balcony each night to light the monks' way, and in the late night of the 12th (early hours of the 13th) the Omizutori ritual of drawing sacred water from the Wakasa well takes place.

When
Every year, March 1–14 (Otaimatsu nightly around 19:00; 19:30 on the 12th, 18:30 on the 14th)
Confirmed dates: 2027 (the 1,276th): Mar 1 – Mar 14
Venue
Todai-ji Nigatsu-do Hall (Nara Park)
Official website
https://www.todaiji.or.jp/annual/event/shunie/otaimatsu/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

Young attendants race along the corridor of Nigatsu-do carrying giant torches, shaking showers of sparks from the balcony railing. Being showered by the sparks is said to bring a year of good health, and you can watch up close from the plaza below the hall.

Times

Times

Otaimatsu (regular days)19:00–

March 1–11 and 13. 10 torches, about 20 minutes (Todai-ji official)

Otaimatsu (12th – Kago-taimatsu)19:30–

11 torches, about 45 minutes. General viewing is heavily restricted (Todai-ji official)

Otaimatsu (14th – Shiritsuke-taimatsu)18:30–

10 torches go up one after another and it ends in about 10 minutes (Todai-ji official)

Omizutori (water drawing)13th, around 1:30

Sacred water is drawn at the Akaiya well house late on the 12th (early on the 13th). The inside of the well house is not open to the public

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

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓This is a religious ceremony, not an event. Watch quietly and do not disturb the rite
  • ✓The 12th is the pilgrimage day for worshippers' associations and is extremely crowded; general visitors are kept moving one way for a brief look, so Todai-ji recommends coming on another day
  • ✓On the 14th it starts early at 18:30 and ends in about 10 minutes, so arrive early
  • ✓The plaza below Nigatsu-do holds about 3,000 people, and entry is closed once it is full. On weekends, police may direct you to the secondary viewing area
  • ✓Always turn off your smartphone flash and light when taking photos
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Bus stop "Todaiji Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae"About a 5–10 min walkCity loop bus from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station
  • Kintetsu Nara StationAbout a 20–30 min walkWalk through Nara Park to Nigatsu-do. Some paths are dark at night
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) to Kintetsu Nara Station (About 35–50 min)
  • JR Nara Station / Kintetsu Nara Station: City loop bus to "Todaiji Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae" (About 10–15 min + walk)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica can be used on Kintetsu, JR and Nara Kotsu buses
Getting back
  • Everyone leaves at once after the Otaimatsu, so bus stops and Kintetsu Nara Station get crowded. Walking to Kintetsu Nara Station (about 20–30 min) is the most reliable option
  • On the 12th there are traffic restrictions around Nara Park, and not only private cars but also taxis are restricted
  • The path down from Nigatsu-do toward the Daibutsuden is dark and has stone steps. A small light for your feet is helpful
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
The 12th (Kago-taimatsu) is the busiest, followed by weekends and the final day, the 14th
Quieter times
Weekdays in early March (around the 1st–10th)
Saving a spot
To watch from the plaza below Nigatsu-do, aim to arrive an hour before the start (around 18:00) even on weekdays, and even earlier on the 12th or weekends
Time needed
The Otaimatsu itself lasts 10–45 minutes. Allow 1.5–2 hours including travel and waiting
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Early-March nights in Nara average lows of around 2–3°C (approximate, based on JMA normals). Nigatsu-do sits on the hillside and is windy, so it feels even colder
What to wear
Dress warmly with a winter coat, gloves and a hat. Sparks fly, so a less flammable outer layer is better than synthetic fabrics. Wear comfortable shoes for stone steps and slopes
Rain, snow & typhoons
Shuni-e is a Buddhist rite and takes place even in the rain
Where to check for cancellations
The Shuni-e and visitor notes pages on the Todai-ji official website (https://www.todaiji.or.jp/)
☁ Kansai weather in March →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Tripods, monopods, stepladders and strobes are prohibited around Nigatsu-do. Tripods are allowed only in the west end of the secondary viewing area, one per person
  • !Turn off the flash and light on your smartphone
  • !Park bicycles and motorbikes at the bicycle parking southwest of Nandaimon Gate. Walking them into the temple grounds is not allowed either
  • !Keep quiet inside the hall during the rite and do not disturb the monks' practice
  • !Take your trash home. Do not feed the deer in Nara Park anything other than deer crackers (shika senbei)
  • !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
Toilets around Nigatsu-do are limited and get crowded before the Otaimatsu. It is best to go at Kintetsu Nara Station or near the Daibutsuden beforehand
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station. Leave large luggage at the station before heading out
Paying at food stalls
Viewing the Otaimatsu is free. Some nearby shops and restaurants are cash only, so bring cash
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) are available around Kintetsu Nara Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Nigatsu-do sits at the top of slopes and stone steps, and it is dark and very crowded at night, so visiting with a wheelchair or stroller is difficult
Food

Food

Local favorites
Kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)Narazuke (pickles cured in sake lees)Chagayu (tea rice porridge)Miwa somen (served hot as nyumen)
Vegetarian & halal
Some Nara shojin (Buddhist) dishes and chagayu may suit vegetarians, but the broth may contain seafood, so check with each restaurant
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Hotels in Nara city fill up easily on the 12th and on weekends. If you don't want to travel after the evening viewing, book early

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji Nigatsu-doPR

PRSee more places to stay near Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji Nigatsu-do on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

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

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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

PRKlookNara Todai-ji Omizutori Half-Day Cultural TourAn evening tour walking with a guide from Kintetsu Nara Station to watch the Otaimatsu at Nigatsu-doView