Attention travelers to Nara: Mount Wakakusa is closed...

Winter is a great time to visit Japan and see the red maple leaves 🍁. On our trip to Osaka, we set aside a day to visit Nara, see the deer in Nara Park, and climb Mount Wakakusa. But when we got there, we found out that Mount Wakakusa was closed... It turns out that Mount Wakakusa hosts a traditional mountain burning festival every year on the fourth Saturday of January to appease the spirits 👻 on the mountain. During the festival, the mountain is surrounded by flames, creating a spectacular scene. It is also one of Japan's New Three Major Night Views. Mount Wakakusa is located on the east side of Nara Park. It is made up of three connected hills covered with grass, so it is also known as Mount Mikasa. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the city of Nara, including Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple. 📍Location: Mount Wakakusa 🎫Tickets: JPY 150 for adults, JPY 80 for children ⏰Hours: Open from the third Saturday in March to the second Sunday in December, 9:00–17:00 ➡️Closed until March 14, 2025