Tanzan Shrine in Nara: Tracing the Legacy of the Taika Reform

Sep 19, 2024 | News On Japan

NARA - Tanzan Shrine in Nara Prefecture holds deep ties to one of Japan’s most pivotal moments -- the Taika Reform. According to legend, this secluded shrine is where Emperor Tenji (then Prince Naka no Ōe) and Fujiwara no Kamatari (then Nakatomi no Kamatari) plotted the downfall of the powerful Soga clan, particularly Soga no Iruka, during the 645 coup.

The shrine’s origins trace back to a wooden thirteen-story pagoda built by Kamatari’s son to honor his father. To this day, the grounds and surrounding areas remain filled with artifacts closely tied to the Fujiwara clan, including many important cultural properties.

The site is located deep in the mountains of Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture. It takes about five minutes by foot from the Tou-no-mine bus stop to reach the shrine, following a historic path lined with ancient stone lanterns and centuries-old bridges. Visitors are greeted by the East Main Gate, a magnificent structure dating back over 220 years, originally constructed during the Edo period. Remarkably, the shrine itself was once a Buddhist temple, known as Myoraku-ji, until the Meiji Restoration mandated the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. This blend of religious elements is still evident today.

Within the shrine, one can find several notable structures, including the world’s only surviving wooden thirteen-story pagoda, which stands as a testament to the shrine’s ancient legacy. Built by Fujiwara no Jōe, Kamatari’s eldest son, the pagoda marks the birthplace of Tanzan Shrine. Nearby, there is a stone marker, said to be where Kamatari and Prince Naka no Ōe first discussed their strategy to overthrow the Soga clan—an act that would ultimately reshape Japanese history through the Taika Reform.

As visitors walk through the grounds, they will encounter other cultural landmarks, including a stone lantern believed to have been donated by Emperor Go-Daigo, and a series of buildings dating back to the Muromachi and Edo periods. The main hall of Tanzan Shrine, with its elaborate architectural design, is said to have inspired the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

In addition to its historical significance, Tanzan Shrine is also a scenic destination, especially in autumn when over 3,000 maple trees burst into vibrant red and orange hues. This stunning backdrop adds a serene atmosphere to the shrine’s spiritual and historical legacy.

Source: YOMIURI

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

Mount Fuji Puts on First Snowcap

Mount Fuji has received its first snowcap of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 30, after temperatures at the summit plunged to minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, marking the arrival of winter conditions on Japan's highest mountain.

Chinese Female Spy Suspected of Targeting Nvidia Chief

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th.

Japan Blocks Websites Leaking GMO Personal Data

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Typhoon No. 31 was located near Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific Ocean, as of 3 a.m. on October 30, and was expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo over the October 31-November 1 weekend while maintaining very strong intensity, bringing a growing risk of dangerously high waves, powerful swells and extremely rough seas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Golden Ginkgo Tunnel Lights Up Sapporo

Hokkaido University's famous ginkgo avenue in Sapporo has reached its peak autumn color, attracting residents and tourists to the campus ahead of the two-day Hokudai Golden Leaf Festival on October 31 and November 1, an event that drew 35,000 visitors last year.

Wakayama's Famous Sea Rocks Come Alive After Dark

A spectacular illumination of the Hashigui Rocks, a nationally designated natural monument in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, is set to begin on October 30, transforming a series of unusual coastal rock formations into a colorful nighttime attraction.

Japan's First Wintry Blast Brings Snow and Freezing Winds

Japan's first major cold spell of the season brought snow, freezing winds and record-low autumn temperatures across the country, with 639 observation points registering their coldest readings of the season on October 29, while forecasts issued that evening indicated that temperatures would recover on October 30 as rain spread across much of the country.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Early Snow Blankets Japan as Winter Arrives Ahead of November

Japan's first significant snowfall of the season has brought winter conditions to Hokkaido and northern Honshu, with snow depths exceeding 10 centimeters in several mountain and inland locations on October 28, while a fresh wave of cold air is expected to bring further snowfall over the weekend of October 31 and November 1.

Osaka's Tsutenkaku Tower Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Osaka's iconic Tsutenkaku Tower celebrated the 70th anniversary of its reopening on October 28, marking seven decades since the landmark was rebuilt in 1956 as a symbol of the city's postwar recovery, while new attractions continue to draw visitors to the surrounding Shinsekai entertainment district.

Strong Earthquake Shakes Narita Airport

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck northeastern Chiba Prefecture at around 12:07 a.m. on October 29, registering a maximum intensity of 5-lower on Japan's seven-level seismic scale and sending tremors across a wide area of eastern and central Japan, including Narita Airport, where footage captured the moment of shaking.

Japan's Tax-Free Shopping Overhaul to Reshape Inbound Tourism Strategies

Japan will introduce a major overhaul of its tax-free shopping system for foreign visitors on November 1, replacing immediate tax exemptions at stores with a refund system that requires travelers to pay the full consumption tax upfront and claim reimbursement when leaving the country, a change expected to reshape retail strategies and purchasing behavior across the tourism industry.

< 2 3 4 5 >