Shikinen Zotai at Kasuga Taisha

Once every twenty years the main sanctuary of the deity enshrined at Kasuga Taisha is renovated. This has been taking place since the shrine was built in 768 A.D. and has been repeated every twenty years for the past 1200 years!  As a result there are celebrations that take place, one of them being a lantern festival where all of the 3000 lanterns at Kasuga Taisha are illuminated. During this time entrance to the shrine is free of charge.  Not being one to pass up a chance to visit for free, I hopped on my bike and rode over to check it out.

Can't escape those food vendors

 Live performances happening along the path to the shrine

Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto  the main Deity at Kasuga Shrine