Kasuga-taisha Audio Guide
Explore Kasuga-taisha with Stanza's guided offline audio tour.
About the Tour
A prominent Shinto shrine in Nara established in 768 AD, famous for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. It is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara UNESCO World Heritage site.
What you will hear
Heiden (Offertory Hall)
A unique open-sided hall with a thatched roof where offerings are presented to the deities.
Offering Hall
This open-sided wooden hall is where priests present daily offerings to the deities in a space open to the forest.
Naoraiden Hall
A large ceremonial hall famous for its long corridors lined with hundreds of hanging bronze lanterns.
Shadow Corridors
Notice the interplay of light and dark within these corridors, where vibrant red columns contrast against deep, unpainted wooden walls to create a sense of mystery.
The Apple Garden (Ringo-no-niwa)
A small courtyard featuring an ancient apple tree, used for ritual dances during festivals.
Apple Garden
This small courtyard, known as the Ringo-no-niwa, centers on an apple tree with a history of royal patronage dating back over eight centuries.
Middle Gate (Chumon)
The gate directly in front of the four main sanctuary halls, featuring a unique 'sacred tree' that grows through the roof of its corridor.
Middle Gate
At the end of this walkway stands the vibrant Chumon, or Middle Gate, marking the threshold to the most sacred inner sanctum of the shrine.
The Path of 2,000 Stone Lanterns (Oai-michi)
A stunning forest path lined with thousands of moss-covered stone lanterns donated by devotees over centuries.
Path of Mossy Lanterns
Towering stone lanterns, many blanketed in thick green moss, line the forest paths as enduring symbols of centuries of individual faith and patronage.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 32 stops and the complete guided audio tour.