Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Nara: Todaiji Temple and Tanzan Shrine

The sakura cherry blossoms are now in full bloom across Nara, with a glorious opening over the weekend, and will be scattering over the next few days and into the weekend. We have recommended some spots around Nara, some of them better known than others, but here we spotlight two more, and two ways of viewing: Todaiji Temple during the day and Tanzan Shrine at night.

Todaiji’s grounds, in the centre of the city, are swathed in pink and white clouds of cherry blossom – and its environs, the surrounding streets, are likewise decked out in delicate seasonal finery. At this time of year, it is not only the Great Buddha and the magnificent temple itself that draws a crowd, but the gorgeous flowers too.

The blossoms take on a magical appearance in the darkness of the evening when, in many places, they are lit up to cast an enchanting aspect onto their surroundings. Tanzan Shrine in Sakurai, Nara, is a beautiful example of this. It is an extremely old religious site that traces its origins to the seventh century and has weathered the changes over the centuries, including a long period of syncretism (the process of combining or incorporating one tradition into another – here, Shinto with Buddhism).

But both shrines and temples offer more than religions – or it may be more accurate to say that nature has long played a part win the location and development of sites that focus on the spiritual realm. Practitioners often chose to sequester themselves deep in nature. For Buddhists: a retreat from society. For Shinto practitioners: a closeness to the natural resources that provided the life they ritualistically ensured the continuation of. As harbingers of spring and the renewal of life, sakura cherry blossoms are beautifully representative of Shinto-related ideas, in a way, but their brief appearance also captures something of the Buddhist doctrine of impermanence.

During the spring blossom period, the blossoms that festoon Tanzan Shrine are illuminated, and glowing light is emitted from pretty lamps strung between the trees.

This is deservedly considered one of the best times to visit Japan, and Nara is no exception as a destination, though it is a quickly-passing period. But this is what makes it so special. One gets a sense of the aesthetics and values that have been famously imparted by cherry blossoms to Japanese culture throughout Japan’s history. As cliched an observation as it may have become, their fleeting and ephemeral nature, no more immediate than in the way the petals flutter and dance as they fall, is central to their beauty and helps us to more deeply appreciate the passing moments of our own days and lives. No wonder they made their mark on Japanese culture – to the extent they may symbolize it more than anything else – and continue to do so.

Todaiji Temple: 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8587

Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, or alight from the city circulation bus “Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae” and walk 5 minutes

Tanzan Shrine: 319 Tonomine, Sakurai, Nara Prefecture

Access: Approximately 15 minutes from JR Sakurai Station by taxi.

Admission free for both