June is the start of the rainy season across Japan. This just means potential rain throughout the day, and with heavy downpours on occasions. Make sure you have your umbrella in hand, and take it with you when you leave the train! With so much water around, this is the month to catch hydrangeas, and we have a couple of really good places for you. We also have many indoor events in case you need a dry spot!
Hydrangeas at Yata-dera Temple
Yata-dera Temple is Nara’s most loved temple for hydrangeas or ‘ajisai’ in Japanese. The temple boasts about 10,000 blooming plants of various colors. Although usually a somewhat quiet outpost, Yata-dera becomes quite festive with stalls and stands along the way and extra buses departing from Koriyama station.
Location: 3549 Yata-cho, Yamato Koriyama
Date: Early June to early July
Fee: ¥700 (during hydrangea season)
Transportation: Take the train to Kintetsu-Koriyama Station, alight for Narakotsu Bus #20 to Yata-dera.
Yata-dera Temple (矢田寺) is its common name from its location on Yata Hill, but the temple is also known as Kongosen-ji. The temple houses one of Japan’s oldest Jizo Bosatsu statues and is said to be the origin of such worship in Japan. Jizo is worshipped as a protector of women, children, and travellers and statues are often seen along the roadside or even hiking trail crosspaths.
Other Places for Hydrangeas and Flowers in June
There are other popular temples in Nara to see and photograph hydrangeas. Here are a few other options:
Hase-dera Temple in Sakurai City has flowers for all seasons, including hydrangeas! You can also view the giant Kannon statue chamber.
Hannya-ji Temple is 10 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Nara Station and, although more famous for its cosmos flowers, is a good spot for hydrangeas too.
Oka-dera Temple in Asuka has a display of potted hydrangeas.
Tsubosaka-dera Temple in Takatori, famous for its Sakura Buddha has a display of potted hydrangeas.
Special Orizome Experience at Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Here at the Nara Visitor Center & Inn, apart from our regular free cultural activities and weekly Wednesday Tea Ceremony Events, we like to host additional cultural activities from time to time.
This month, we have a special ‘Orizome Experience’! Orizome is a type of origami except that in Orizome you fold and dye paper and then unfold it to reveal the colorful patterns. It’s a type of tie-dye, but for paper.
Dates: 2 June (Sun.), 17 June (Mon.)
Location: Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Fee: Free Event
Duck Into a Nara Museum to Escape the Rain
If you get caught off-guard, or would rather play safer indoors during the rainy season, why not add a few of Nara’s best museums to your list?
Of course, on your way to Nara Park there is the Nara Prefectural Art Museum on your left, or across the road and further down is the Nara National Museum. Currently it is featuring a Kukai exhibition, the founder of Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koya. However, there are various other unique and interesting museums such as the Goldfish and Ikimono museums near the Heijo Palace Site, more suited for families and children.
See our Best Museums in Nara post which includes places nearby to eat! The series is divided in 3 posts. Parts 1 and 2 cover Nara city with part 3 covering the rest of the prefecture.
Track Down Fireflies in Nara
Tracking down fireflies is always a fun activity, but you may be surprised to know that rare fireflies, or rather glow worms, can be seen near Nara Park! These rare Genji glow worms, also known as Daibutsu fireflies, are best seen around 8 to 9 PM and often make their appearance in the last week of May, lasting into mid-June. The location is the back approach to Nigatsu-do Hall and there are fences along the stream to prevent people disturbing the delicate environment.
Other prime locations for these luminous bugs are mostly out in the countryside. You would either need a car, be staying somewhere local overnight, or carefully managing your return schedule. Villages include Tenkawa, Totsukawa, Kurotaki, Yamazoe, and Soni Village.
However, an easily accessible area are the stunning gardens of the Keihanna Commemorative Park. It is just over the border in Kyoto and you can catch a train from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station. Fireflies viewing is on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 18 May to 10 June; 19:00-21:30.
Join a Lily Festival at Nara City’s Oldest Shrine
The Isagawa Shrine, Nara City’s oldest Shinto establishment, has a lovely lily festival happening on 17 June, starting 10:30 a.m. It is known as the Saikasu or Yuri (Lily) Festival. The festival honors an imperial princess and wards off disease and disasters. It includes barrels of white and black sake decorated with lilies. This small little shrine is only a 5-minute-walk due south of Kintetsu-Nara Station, so it is easy to pop by.
Date: 17 June
Time: 10:30
Fee: None
Make Way for Summer with Shinto Cleansing Rituals
Shinto Shrines often have key ceremonies at the changing of the seasons. Many shrines hold an annual ‘summer purification ceremony’ around the end of June, often on the last day.
At the Kasuga-taisha Shrine, you can attend their Nagoshi no Oharaeshiki event on 30 June, starting at 15:00 in front of the Haraedo Shrine. Attendees get to walk through a straw circle as part of the cleansing ritual. A similar event is held on the same day and same time at the Kashihara-jingu Shrine in Kashihara City.
Date: 30 June
Time: 15:00
Location: Kasuga-taisha Shrine; Kashihara-jingu Shrine
June Viewing Events at Nara Temples
Each month, there are often special viewing opportunities of important cultural assets at various temples and historic sites around Nara Prefecture. These events present a perfect opportunity to get more out of your stay and visit:
Kohfuku-ji Temple’s Central Golden Hall, or newest construction, is open for special viewing。
At Hase-dera Temple, you can enter the lower chamber for a close-up view of their giant standing Kannon statue—until 7 July, ¥1,000 extra.
Hokke-ji Temple also has a special viewing of its Kannon statue from 5 to 10 June.
The Kitora Tumulus in Asuka has a special viewing of tomb wall paintings from 18 May to 16 June (closed 29 May, 12 June). There is no entry fee.
Bambi Viewing at Rokuen Deer Enclosure
A popular seasonal event in Nara has always been the viewing of young deer fawns at the Rokuen Deer Center. Expecting does are rounded into the center so that they can safely give birth. When the young deer are strong enough to easily follow their mothers, they are released into Nara Park. Due to ongoing renovations, the elevated area where the event usually takes place is temporarily closed.
However, a section of that area has been fenced off so that visitors can view the fawns through the fence safely. The admission fee is free this year. The viewing is available from June 1st to July 14th. After the 15th, the deer will be gradually released into the park.
If you do happen to spot a fawn on your travels, please keep your distance and avoid touching them. The fawn's mother is likely to be nearby and will not take too kindly to their newborn being (what they will deem to be) in danger. They may charge you. On top of this, should a fawn acquire the scent of humans, the mother may abandon it.
Here's a live video from a few years back when we visited Rokuen for the:
Kojika Koukai "Presentation of the Fawns"
Highlights of ‘Nara for Culture’ Music Festivities
Nara for Culture (Japanese) is an arts promotional festival that runs from May into the end of December. You can use Google Translate to browse the website. It is best to book tickets online, but some venues may have at-the-door sales if not filled.
First Week of June Highlights:
June 01: Chamber music collaboration between Japan National Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic; IRAKA Nohgaku Hall, 15:00, 1,000 or 2,000 yen.
June 01: Chizuru Tanigaki Japanese Music Concert, Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi. Ikaruga Hall, 13:30-16:00, 1 000 yen advance, ¥1,500 at door.
June 01: Brass Under The Sky, Asuka National Historic Park, 14:00, Free.
June 01: Arabian Jazz Night, Cafe Demitasse, Kintetsu-Heijo Station, 18:00, 3,000 yen.
June 02: Nara National Guitar Festival, DMG MORI Yamato Koriyama Castle Hall, 13:00-17:00, Free.
June 02: Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra; Sibelius, Elgar, and Dvorak. Nara Prefecture Kashihara Cultural Center Large Hall, 14:00, ¥2000 to ¥4,500.
Second Week of June Highlights:
June 9 : Bossa Nova Night, Nara Blue Note Cafe, 16:00-19:00, ¥2,500 .
June 9 : Baroque infusion at Tachibana-dera Temple, Asuka, 14:00-16:00, ¥3,000.
Third Week of June Highlights:
June 16: Marika Hiraga jazz vocalist, Cafe Demitasse, 14:00～, 3 000 yen.
June 16: The 10th Naramachi Satsuma Biwa Concert, Nara 100th Anniversary Hall Small Hall, 13:30-15:30, Free.
June 22: Hiokaru Kazumi, Jazz vocals live, Cafe Demitasse, Kintetsu-Heijo Station, 18:30～ ¥2,500.
Fourth Week of June Highlights:
June 29: Ogi no Homare, fusion of biwa, shakuhachi and VR video. Heijo Palace Site Historical Park, Suzakumon Square, Tempyo Miharashikan VR Theater, 18:30-19:30, Free but online reservation needed.
June 29: Nara Miyako String Orchestra 5th Regular Concert, Nara 100th Anniversary Hall, Middle Hall, 14:00, Free classic family event; Vivaldi, Mozart, Hayakawa, and Rutter.
June 29: Pekka Pylkkänen with Phillip Strange, Nara Blue Note, 16:00-19:00, ¥300.
June 29: Blues Sessions, Cafe Vanda Melilie, 19:00-21:00, ¥1,700.
Most events take place over the weekend and prices differ according to location and artist. Nara Blue Note, Cafe Demitasse, Vande Melilie, and Angus Cafe are weekend hot spots for jazz, blues, and light popular music. Events can be from 14:00 or in the evening from 18:00. There are many more events besides these selections.
Things To Do In Nara
Author: NARA Visitor Center & Inn
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