Tanzan Shrine, Nara: The World’s Only Thirteen-Storied Wooden Pagoda

Worship Hall

This worship hall is built on a slope and is supported by pillars under its floors. It has the same structural style as Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto and Hasedera Temple in Nara.

At the worship hall, you can see displays related to Tanzan Shrine. The scenery that is seen past its doors and the hanging lanterns in the outside passageway are both beautiful.

The Thirteen-Storied Pagoda

The Thirteen-Storied Pagoda was built in 678. Although the present pagoda was reconstructed from the original pagoda in 1532, it is the world’s only existing thirteen-storied wooden pagoda and is the symbol of Tanzan Shrine.

Shinbyo Haisho

At Shinbyo Haisho, you will find a statue of Kamatari Fujiwara, wooden guardian lion-dogs that are said to be works of Unkei (*1), and murals.

*1 Unkei: a Buddhist sculptor that was active from the latter half of the Heian period to the beginning of the Kamakura period (around 1185 – 1333). He is famous for creating the Kongorikishi statue found in Todai-ji Temple in Nara.

Kemari Courtyard

Right next to Shinbyo Haisho is another hall called Sosha Shaden. The area between Sosha Shaden and Shinbyo Haisho is called the Kemari Courtyard.

Kemari is a ball game brought from China and was popular mainly from the Heian period to the Edo period. The Kemari Festival is held in this area.

Basic Information

Visiting hours are from 8:30 – 17:00 (final entry at 16:30). Visiting fees are 600 yen for those that are junior high school age and older. It is 300 yen for elementary school students.

Seasonal Events

Kemari Festival

The Kemari Festival is held on April 29th and November 3rd. It was created from the fact that kemari was what sparked the meeting between Kamatari Fujiwara and Prince Nakano-Oe.

During the festival, you will be able to see people wearing attire from that period kicking around the kemari ball for the game. It's sure to leave you feeling both refined and appreciative of the past.

Autumn Leaves Festival

Tanzan Shrine, also known as a place for autumn leaves, holds an Autumn Leaves Festival, taking place in 2017 from October 8th to December 10th, 2017. During the period of the festival, the shrine will also be lit up at night (sunset – 20:00) from the middle to the end of November.

Going to Tanzan Shrine

It is approximately 25 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Sakurai Station to Tanzan Shrine; one way will cost 490 yen. It is a five minute walk to the shrine when you get off at the last stop of the bus route, at Tanzan Shrine.

As the buses are limited, with one every hour, please pay attention to your surroundings and time. There are also taxis waiting in front of the station.

From Osaka's Umeda Station

To go to Kintetsu Sakurai Station from Osaka (Umeda) Station, first take the JR Osaka Loop Line bound for the Kyobashi area, then take the express train for Nabari, Aoyamacho, or Isuzu River on the Kintetsu Osaka Line at Tsuruhashi Station.

It will take approximately one hour and ten minutes and will cost 850 yen.

From Kyoto Station

Take the express train bound for Kashiharajingu-mae on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, then transfer to a train bound for either Nabari, Aoyamacho, or Isuzu River on the Kintetsu Osaka Line at Yagi Station.

It will take approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and will cost 940 yen.

Nearby Sightseeing Spots

From: Visit Abe no Monjuin Temple In Nara: See Japan's Largest Knight Statue

You can also access Abe Monjuin Temple, a temple founded in 645 where the god of intelligence is enshrined, from Kintetsu Sakurai Station.

Additionally, Hasedera Temple, known for its beautiful seasonal flowers, and Omiwa Shrine, a shrine that also appears in mythology, are also located in Sakurai. Please enjoy a historic temple and shrine tour in Sakurai, Nara.

* Information on traveling time and expenses are based on the information from each facilities’ official websites. This information is current as of August 2017. Please understand that this is subject to change.

Tanzan Shrine

319 Tonomine, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture 633-0032