Text & Photos: E Cat
Besides feeding deer and visiting ancient temples, Nara is also a great place to enjoy beautiful light displays. Coinciding with the upcoming Valentine’s Day, Nara will once again host a large-scale 7-day lantern show — “Corridor of Happiness: Nara Glass Art Lantern Festival.” During the event, visitors can admire an LED garden created with millions of colorful lights around Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, Nara National Museum, and Nara Park. The area will also feature various lighting ceremonies, musical performances, and lantern parades, all filled with a romantic atmosphere.
Must-visit Point 1: Nara Kasugano International Forum Blue Lantern Garden
Normally a solemn venue, the Nara Kasugano International Forum transforms into a blue lantern garden during the festival. The entire lawn is covered with vibrant blue, white, and red LED lights, creating a stunning sight.
Must-visit Point 2: Kasuga Taisha Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Located within Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha enshrines deities such as Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, Futsunushi-no-Kami, Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto, and Himegami, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine is known for displaying over 10,000 long-life lanterns donated by worshippers. The shrine holds two major lighting ceremonies each year: one during the summer Obon Festival in August, and the other during the Nara Glass Art Lantern Festival in February. During these times, the shrine is illuminated spectacularly.
Must-visit Point 3: Todai-ji Mirror Pond 3D Light Show
Todai-ji’s Mirror Pond is famous for its mirror-like stillness. Japanese lighting artists have taken advantage of this feature by installing a 3D projection system around the pond, displaying a series of auspicious patterns. Standing by the pond, you can watch the water surface and its reflections simultaneously display dynamic 3D projections, creating a unique and moving visual experience.
Additionally, the organizers have placed numerous disco balls along various pathways. When illuminated with different colored lights, it feels as if you are walking through a forest filled with fireflies.
Corridor of Happiness: Nara Glass Art Lantern Festival
Dates: February 8 – February 14, 2016
Venue: Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, Nara National Museum, and Nara Park
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Transportation: From Hong Kong to Kansai Airport, take the Nankai Electric Railway from Kansai Airport to Namba Station, then transfer to the Kintetsu Nara Line to Nara Station.
Acknowledgement: HK Express