Manju Festival

Manju Festival at Rin-jinja shrine, within Kango-jinja shrine.

“Manju”, small buns filled with sweet bean paste, are traditional but still very popular Japanese sweets.

Rin Jo In (林浄因), who came from China in 1349, made the first manju in Japan and presented them to the emperor.

At Rin-jinja shrine, Rin Jo In is worshipped as a deity, especially by manju manufacturers.

The Manju Festival is held annually on April 19th.

Manju manufacturers come from across Japan to present and dedicate their manju to the deity.

The ceremony starts from 11am and free manju and matcha tea are served.

First, you need to get tickets to receive manju from around 10am, but expect a long line and long wait!

Try some traditional Japanese sweets and feel ancient Nara.