NaraLeisure

Ryosen-ji Temple (霊山寺)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Fuel up on a taste of Nara before the fireworks, with a stroll through the shopping street

About 15 min from the previous stop

About 40 min here

About 5 min to the next stop

Next stop: Watch fireworks rise into the summer night sky from the grounds of Ryosen-ji Temple

About this spot

An old temple in northwestern Nara City, said to have been founded in 736 by the priest Gyoki (行基). This venerable temple has Important Cultural Properties scattered throughout its grounds, including a three-story pagoda (National Treasure) built in the Nara period and a Tahoto pagoda, and it's also known as the 'temple of roses' for its rose garden. On the night of the fireworks festival, food stalls and a special event area are set up in the temple grounds, filling the place with a distinctive festival atmosphere. Take a walk around the grounds during this time before the show starts to secure a good viewing spot. The combination of a temple's nighttime air and fireworks is an atmosphere unique to this festival.

Tips

About 10 minutes by Nara Kotsu bus (奈良交通バス) from Tomio Station (富雄駅) on the Kintetsu Nara Line (近鉄奈良線), or you can take a taxi from Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station (近鉄新大宮駅) or Gakuenmae Station (学園前駅). Temporary buses and traffic restrictions may be in place on the day, so check the festival's official information in advance. The temple grounds have stone paving and steps, so watch your footing as you move around.