Nara, day by day
One town, kept current: 10 events on the November calendar, 29 venues, and a fresh digest every week.
Coming up in Nara
東大寺 転害会（てがいえ）・勧進所秘仏開扉
Autumn special opening of the Guse (Savior) Kannon at Horyu-ji's Yumedono (Dream Hall, East Precinct). The standing Guse Kannon (national treasure, said to be a life-size image of Prince Shotoku) is a hibutsu shown only twice a year, spring and autumn.
平城京 秋の散楽フェスタ2026
17th Nara Marathon. Dec 12 (Sat): Mini Nara Marathon (2 km x 2 laps, wheelchair 2.2 km) at the Rohto Nara Konoike Park special course, 14:00 start; runner check-in 10:00-20:00.
Ancient-Rice Mochitsuki – Shika Zaruko Building 5th Anniversary Harvest Festival
Hands-on mochi-pounding with ancient rice at the Shika Zaruko Building's 5th-anniversary autumn harvest festival. Participants take up the pestle themselves; the freshly pounded mochi is cut up and eaten on the spot. Free, no reservation, cancelled in bad weather.
第78回正倉院展
78th Shosoin Exhibition – autumn tradition at the Nara National Museum, showing 60 treasures from the Shosoin Repository (incl. 11 first-time exhibits), 80 years since the first exhibition.
秋夜の奈良旅2026（世界遺産5社寺 夜間特別参拝）
DMO (Nara City Tourist Association) autumn campaign: evening special visits at five World Heritage temples/shrines – Kasuga Taisha (11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 17:30-20:00), Kofuku-ji (10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 17:30-21:00), Gango-ji (11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 18:00-20:00.
Kofuku-ji Tokondo Night Special Visit (秋夜の奈良旅2026)
Nighttime special visit to the National Treasure Eastern Golden Hall (Tokondo, rebuilt 1300 years in 2026): honzon Yakushi Nyorai, Monju Bosatsu and the Twelve Divine Generals by evening light. 17:30–21:00 (doors close 17:00, entry till 20:45).
青垣祭（奈良大学大学祭） – Seigaku-sai, Nara University Festival
奈良大学の大学祭（2026年度は3日間開催＋前夜祭）。前夜祭11月1日（日）、本祭11月2日（月）～11月4日（水）。学年暦（2026年3月31日版、変更の可能性あり）より。
保護ワンコ譲渡会 in ペットのお葬式＆思い出工房 (Rescue Dog & Cat Adoption Fair)
Peace Wanko Japan Ikoma Transfer Center's regular monthly adoption fair: rescue dogs from the Ikoma center plus cat groups ねこマンマ / つむぐ奈良 / にゃらとも. Free entry, 11:00-15:00. No same-day adoptions (meet-and-greet only). Organizer Tel 0743-61-5658.
November in Nara, at a glance
The whole month on one scan list. Full write-ups live in the digests above.
Near Nara
Osaka (28 km) · Kyoto (36 km) · Kobe (56 km) · Darwin (5268 km) · Cairns (5834 km) · Anchorage (5860 km)
Event details can change at short notice. Dayfari checks listings against their sources, but confirm times and prices with the venue before you head out.
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