Naratsuhiko Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the northern part of Nara City, in an area known as Nara Kitamachi. With a long history of religious worship, it has been known by several names, including Narasaka Kasuga Shrine, Kasuga Shrine, and Hachiman Shrine. These different names reflect the area’s rich traditions of worshipping a variety of deities.
The shrine is generally regarded as the successor to Naratsuhiko Shrine, an ancient shrine recorded in the *Engishiki Jinmyōchō*, a Heian-period register of Shinto shrines in Japan. Although another theory identifies Nara Shrine in Tenri City as its successor, Naratsuhiko Shrine is now widely considered the leading candidate.
The shrine has three main sanctuaries, each dedicated to a different deity associated with the history of the region.
The central sanctuary enshrines Naratsuhiko-no-Ōkami, the local guardian deity traditionally regarded as the tutelary god of this area. The deity is also known as Naratsuhikogami and has long been revered for protecting the local community.
The left sanctuary enshrines Emperor Kasuganomiya, a title associated with Prince Shiki, the father of Emperor Kōnin. He is also known as Prince Shiki or Emperor Tawara in some traditions.
The right sanctuary enshrines Prince Kasuga, a son of Prince Shiki, also known as Emperor Kasuganomiya. His connection with the imperial family and the Nara region forms an important part of the shrine’s historical traditions.
Another interpretation appears in the historical text *Shikinaisha-kō*. According to this account, the central sanctuary enshrined Nara Kasuganomiya-no-Ōkami, identified with Naratsuhikogami; the left sanctuary enshrined Kasuga Wakamiya, identified with Ame-no-Oshikumone-no-Mikoto; and the right sanctuary enshrined Yahata-no-Ōkami, identified with Prince Shiki. These differing accounts illustrate the complexity of the shrine’s religious history.
The shrine is traditionally associated with the site of Narayama Kasuga Detached Palace, where Prince Shiki, the father of Emperor Kōnin, is said to have retired while receiving treatment for an illness. In 771, during the reign of Emperor Kōnin, the site became a place for enshrining Prince Shiki.
A sacred stone known as the Saho Sacred Stone was once located within the shrine grounds, adding to the site’s reputation as a place of spiritual significance.
The shrine has traditionally undergone major rebuilding ceremonies, known as *gozōtai*, every 20 years. These ceremonies have continued through generations, including during wartime, with local parishioners helping to preserve the tradition. For residents of the Narasaka area, the shrine remains a cherished guardian sanctuary and is affectionately known as the local guardian shrine of Narasaka.
Behind the main sanctuary stands an enormous camphor tree, one of the shrine’s most striking natural features. Its imposing trunk and spreading branches create a powerful presence within the sacred grounds. The tree was designated a Natural Monument of Nara Prefecture in 1951 and again in 1977, according to the shrine’s historical account.
Local tradition connects the tree with the story that Prince Kasuga, a son of Prince Shiki, withdrew to the Nara hills approximately 1,200 years ago to recover from illness. The ancient tree is regarded as a living link to this legend.
The tree is estimated to be around 1,000 years old. Its trunk measures approximately 12.8 meters in circumference at the base and 7.5 meters at chest height. It stands about 30 meters tall, with branches spreading roughly 20 meters across. At approximately seven meters above the ground, the trunk divides into northern and southern sections, which then branch further.
The grounds also contain the stump of an ancient tree known as Chigo-no-Te-Kashiwa, sometimes called a “Manyō tree” in reference to Japan’s ancient poetry collection, the *Man’yōshū*. The tree died in 1952 and was said to have been approximately 1,300 years old.
Botanist Takuji Koshimizu reportedly regarded the tree’s great age as an important feature of its historical value. Although only the stump remains, it serves as a reminder of the site’s long-standing connection with the natural and cultural history of Nara.
On the evening of October 8 each year, Naratsuhiko Shrine presents Okina-mai, a traditional masked dance performed on the eve of its autumn festival. The performance is carried out by members of a local group known as the Okina kōchū and is carefully preserved as part of the area’s cultural heritage.
Featuring performers wearing traditional masks and costumes, Okina-mai is an ancient ritual performance that connects Shinto worship with Japan’s traditional performing arts. On December 27, 2000, it was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Naratsuhiko Shrine preserves a wooden Noh mask known as Beshimi, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The mask was made in February 1413, during the Muromachi period, by an artisan known as Chigusa. An inscription identifies its maker as “Chigusa Saemon-no-Taifu.”
The mask is believed to have been used in performances such as Okina-mai. It is a valuable cultural artifact that demonstrates the close relationship between shrine rituals, traditional Noh-related performance, and regional folk traditions.
Naratsuhiko Shrine is a peaceful historic sanctuary where ancient religious traditions, impressive old trees, and traditional performing arts come together. Its long-established deities, enormous camphor tree, and carefully preserved annual ceremonies offer visitors a deeper understanding of Nara’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
For travelers wishing to explore beyond the best-known temples and landmarks of Nara, this tranquil shrine provides an opportunity to experience a quieter side of the ancient capital and appreciate the enduring connection between local communities, nature, and faith.