A festival for people engaged in ice-related business. The origin of this festival dates back to the year 710, when a himuro (ice storage house) was built upstream on the Yoshikigawa River at the foot of Mt. Kasuga and people enshrined a deity there.

Ice manufacturers across the country attend the festival where ice pillars containing flowers or fish displaying “carp swimming up a waterfall” are dedicated.

Traditional dance and music inherited by the shrine is dedicated in the afternoon.

　Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010  
　　　　　 Memorial ceremony: 11:00-   Dance dedication: 14:00-
　Location: Himuro Shrine, Kasugano-cho, Nara City
　Access: Take a City Loop Bus from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station
 　　　　　　and get off at “Himuro Jinja ∙ Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan”.
 　　　　　　The shrine is close to the bus stop.
 　　　　　　Or walk east 10 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Toshodaiji Temple was established by Ganjin Wajo, a high priest who came to Japan all the way from the Tang Dynasty, China in the Tenpyo Period (8th century). As the principal temple of the strict Buddhist sect of Ritsu, the temple creates a solemn atmosphere. However, on the day of this festival, the usually quiet temple is full of visitors.   

The “Uchiwamaki” ceremony originated from a story dating back to the Kamakura Period (around the 13th century) in which a high priest named Kakujo said to his disciple, who was about to swat a mosquito, “Do not destroy lives. It is also a part of the teaching of Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) to give your blood to a mosquito.” Paying tribute to the priest’s virtue, heart-shaped fans were offered, which was said to be the beginning of this festival.

There is a belief that if you catch a fan, it will protect you from illnesses and evil spirits.
　Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 15:00 -
　Location: Toshodaiji Temple, Gojo-cho, Nara City
　Admission: adult: ￥600; junior/senior high school student: ￥400;
 　　　　　　　　elementary school student: ￥200
　Access: a 7-minute walk northeast from Kintetsu
 　　　　　　Nishinokyo Station

Taimadera Temple is famous for “Taima Mandala” depicting the Buddhist paradise. It is told that Princess Chujo wove the Mandala overnight. The existing east and west pagodas (designated as National Treasures) were built when the temple was established in the Nara Period. This is the only temple in Japan which has two pagodas of that age. For the first time since its inception, the doors of the first floor of the two pagodas will be open at one time.

Further, the inner sanctuary of Daishido Hall will be open to the public from May 20th to 23rd and Kobodaishi Statue and others will be on special display. (Fee: \300)

Dates: Thursday, May 20 – Sunday, June 20, 2010
　　　　   around 9:00 – 17:00
Location: Taimadera Temple, Taima, Katsuragi City
Admission: free (Note: ￥300 for entering Naijin
 　　　　　　　(inner sanctuary) of Daishido Hall)
Access: a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Taimadera Station
Contact: 0745-48-2001 (Taimadera Temple Nakanobo)

Green bamboo is offered to the main image of the temple, the statue of Juichimen (eleven-faced) Kannon, and a memorial ceremony is performed. This ritual is held in gratitude for bamboo which has been inextricably mixed into the Japanese way of life. Sasazake (bamboo liquor), which is said to be effective in warding off and curing cancer, is served to attendees.
　Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2010  The bamboo ceremony is
 　　　　　from around 13:00 to 14:00 and the summer festival
 　　　　　against cancer is from 8:00 to 16:00.
　Location: Daianji Temple, Daianji Cho, Nara City
　Access: Take a bus from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station and
 　　　　　　get off at “Daianji”. A 10-minute walk from the bus stop.