Ancient Japanese Palace Accommodations Open at Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine
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This new Nara hotel on Shinto shrine grounds is designed to offer a luxurious historic palace experience, surrounded by the deer of Nara Park, for travelers in search of traditional Japanese architecture and cultural heritage.
CONTENTS
A Hotel Designed Around Ancient Japanese Aesthetics
Japan’s Shinto shrines often act as beautiful, tranquil oases, and during a busy trip through Japan, we suspect many people find themselves thinking it might be nice if they could rest their tired feet and stay just a little longer to enjoy a shrine’s peace and quiet. Fortunately, according to a report from the Mainichi Shimbun, now luxury travelers exploring Japan can not only spend the night at a major shrine, but they can do it in style, too.
The new high-end accommodations at Kasuga-taisha Shrine are located on shrine grounds, tucked away inside the picturesque Manyo Botanical Garden and surrounded by the tall trees and baby deer of Nara Park, to offer a totally unique overnight experience to travelers visiting Japan’s ancient capital of Nara. Kasuga-taisha Shrine itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, established over a millennium ago in the year 768, now part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” The spot made its mark in an age when Japanese history and mythology were thoroughly entangled and difficult to separate, as the shrine of the powerful Fujiwara clan. To this day, the main shrine halls are dedicated to all the normal Shinto shrine activities, but guests can now stay the night in a building called the Tokaden, built in the style of Heian-era (794-1185) palaces.
Historical Roots in Japan’s Multifaceted Religious Traditions
From the time Buddhism arrived in Japan until the major religious reformations of the Meiji Restoration, Shinto and Buddhism were often practiced together in Japan in a system called “Shinbutsu Shugo,” and while the Tokaden is part of a Shinto shrine, it stands on sacred ground once used by the Buddhist monks from nearby Kofukuji Temple. The building itself is recently constructed, but the design draws heavily from ancient Japanese architecture from a time when the Shibutsu Shugo system was going strong, with a hip-and-gable copper roof, traditional wooden construction, and a layout that reflects Heian period sensibilities. Even the name is rich in historic symbolism, literally translating to “Wisteria Mist Hall” in reference to the wisteria of the Fujiwara clan, and the legendary divine mist of Mount Mikasa, which lies beyond Kasuga-taisha Shrine.
A Luxurious Heian-Era Guest Experience
So what can visitors expect from this unique shrine stay at Kasuga-taisha? Really, it’s all about enjoying the atmosphere, where it’s not so hard to imagine yourself as a Heian-period noble enjoying their palace in the mountains. Overnight guests can enjoy a little of that ancient Japanese lifestyle in the 199m2 Tokaden building, with its spacious main hall, private bath, and traditional tearoom. Inside, the entryway ceiling features 21 hand-painted floral panels by artist Noriko Okawara, inspired by the Manyoshu poem collection (also visible in the surrounding Manyo Botanical Garden). Outside, the windows offer a view of a carefully sculpted karesansui rock garden. Everyday operations for this new “boutique hotel” will be covered by a professional hospitality firm to keep things running smoothly, but proceeds will be directed toward the preservation of Kasuga-taisha’s cultural properties!
A New Kind of Nara Accommodations
While the Tokaden is clearly constructed to offer travelers a little bit of luxurious relaxation, Kasuga-taisha chief priest Hirotada Kasannoin’s speech at the Tokaden’s grand opening shed a new light on the facility, as he expressed hope that the space will encourage visitors to reflect on the rich history of Japan’s “generous” religious fusion that embraced both Shinto and Buddhist deities. The same hope could be seen in Kofukuji chief abbot Eishun Moriya’s comment as well: “In many cases, when different beliefs or organizations such as gods and buddhas come together, it leads to conflict. But if wisdom is present, that energy of conflict can be transformed into something new.”
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in Heian-era Japan, from the beautiful architecture to the unique religious traditions of another age, you might want to look into reserving a night at Kasuga-taisha Shrine during your time in Nara!”
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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