The “Shuni-e” of Todai-ji Nigatsu-do was founded in 752 by a senior disciple of Todai-ji Temple founder.
The official name of Shuni-e is “Eleven-faced repentance”. It means to repent for the various mistakes we make in our daily lives in front of the eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva, the principal image of worship at Nigatsu-do.
In ancient times, when Shuni-e was founded, it meant a religious event for the nation and all people.
Natural disasters, epidemics, and rebellions were regarded as diseases of the nation, and events were held to pray for people’s happiness, such as protection of the nation, peace of the world, favorable times of the weather, bountiful harvests, and the happiness of all people.
Every night, a large torch is lit to light the way by the Rengyoshu (representative monk), and ‘Shuni-e’ came to be called “Omizutori” or “Otaimatsu” (means torch). The sight of the monks running with torches is the highlight of this parade and has become a Nara’s tradition.
In the long history of Todai-ji Temple, even when most of the large temple has been reduced to ash twice, only Shuni-e has continued uninterrupted as a “non-reverting practice”. It has been carried on to this day.

Omizutori, a traditional event that has been held for over 1200 years, makes people feel the arrival of spring.
Let’s all pray for a year of peace in this sacred place! !

Todai-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do

Nara Hotel

Spend an elegant time at the traditional and prestigious Nara Hotel!

The Nara Hotel was established in Nara Park in 1909, called as the “State Guest House in Kansai” and was a facility equivalent to a state guest house where state guests and members of the imperial family stayed. Mr. Kingo Tatsuno, an architect who designed such as Tokyo Station and the Bank of Japan Head Office, was in charge of building the main building. It has a high affinity with the elegant townscape of Yamato (means Nara), its tile-roofed building and the interior which has a luxurious and gorgeous design in the Momoyama style are full of dignity. This beautiful appearance of Japanese-Western style after 100 years is still attractive.

In addition, on the south side of the hotel, there is a scenic spot “Daijo-in Garden“.
Daijo-in Temple was founded in 1087, which was one of the monzeki temples (= special temples where the imperial family and court nobles serve as chief priests), and prospered from the Heian period to the Edo period. Children of the Fujiwara clan resided here and produced Betto (= head of institution) of Kofuku-ji Temple. After being destroyed by fire in 1180, it moved to current location and continued to exist until it was closed in the early Meiji period due to the anti-Buddhism movement. Nara hotel was built in part of the site.
The garden was devastated during the Tokusei Ikki (= riot) in the Muromachi period, but then it was remodeled by Zeami, a master garden designer who was active in the Muromachi period. Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa and court nobles often visited the garden, and since then it was praised as the best garden in Nanto (Nara) until the beginning of the Meiji period.

Nara Hotel