Nara Rurie 2027 Dates TBA
しあわせ回廊 なら瑠璃絵 — Nara (Kansai)
- Season
- Dates TBA (usually: early to mid-February)
- Time
- 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Venue
- Nara Park (Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji) (奈良公園(東大寺・春日大社・興福寺))
- Tickets
- Free to view (some special candle-lighting experiences inside temple grounds may charge separately).
- Official site
- rurie.jp
For one week in February, Nara Park's three great temples and shrines — Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji — are connected by a trail of blue ('ruri', lapis-lazuli-colored) lights and lanterns, turning the World Heritage park into a single illuminated route after dark.
Background
Started in 2010 to draw winter visitors to Nara outside the cherry-blossom and autumn-leaf peaks, Rurie is themed around the blue ruri glass associated with Buddhist temple treasures held in the nearby Shosoin Repository.
Getting there
Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station, both about a 15-20 minute walk from the park; free shuttle buses typically run during the event.
Tips
- Unlike most illuminations, this one is largely candle- and lantern-based rather than LED, giving it a quieter, warmer look than a typical winter light show.
- Nara's deer are active in the park after dark during the event — keep food out of sight to avoid attracting them.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Nara Rurie illuminated?
- Nara Rurie is typically lit up from Feb 8 – Feb 14. Lights are typically on from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM nightly. Exact dates shift year to year, so check the official site close to your trip.
- Where is Nara Rurie, and how do you get there?
- Nara Rurie is located at Nara Park (Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji) in Nara. Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station, both about a 15-20 minute walk from the park; free shuttle buses typically run during the event.
- Is Nara Rurie free to visit, or do I need tickets?
- Free to view (some special candle-lighting experiences inside temple grounds may charge separately).
Last verified against the official source: Sun, August 2, 2026
Plan your trip
- 🏨 Hotels near Nara Park (Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji)
- 📱 Get a Japan eSIM (Airalo) — install before you fly, connect the moment you land, no SIM swap needed
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