*Applicants must be in Nara on Saturday, September 7, 2024 to apply.
*Applicable Travel Type: A Domestic Travel, A Stand-Alone Hotel and A Stand-Alone Activity
*Up to 30 people on a first-come
Horyuji temple, known as containing the oldest wooden structures in the world, was founded by Emperor Suiko and Prince Shotoku around the year 607. It was completely destroyed in a fire in 670, according to the ancient Chronicles of Japan, “Nihon Shoki”. Reconstruction began quickly, and by the early 8th century at the latest, the central temple was restored in the style of the Asuka period (550-710). Over time, the temple grounds expanded to become the current Western Precinct, “Saiin Garan”. Horyuji temple was registered as Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and the buildings and numerous Buddhist statues and treasures were designated national treasures and important cultural properties.
Horyuji Official Website *You will be transferred from jal.co.jp to an external site. Please be informed that the external site may not follow the same accessibility policies as jal.co.jp.
Beginning with Kinkakuji temple in 1989, this one-of-a-kind dedication concert has been held at some of Japan's most famous temples registered as world heritage sites, such as Kiyomizudera temple, Byodoin temple, Toji temple, Nijo castle, Horyuji temple, Toshodaiji temple, and Todaiji temple with the theme of "East meets West."
More than 200 artists from around the world have presented their incomparable performances on this one-night-only stage.
Otobutai Official Website
photos from 2023 Toji OTOBUTAI courtesy of MAINICHI BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Time: Doors open: 6:00 p.m. Concert starts: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Horyu-ji, Nara, Japan
Performers this year:
Alexander Gadjiev / Piano / Italy 
Julian MacKay / Ballet Dancer / U.S.A
Jiang Jianhua / Er-hu / Shanghai 
Miu Sakamoto / Singer / Japan
Mone Hattori / Violin / Japan 
Nanto Gakuso / Court Dance / Japan
Tohoku Youth Orchestra/ Orchestra 
Marihiko Hara / Music Director
*Performers are subject to change without notice.
This ancient city is home to three world heritage sites, comprising Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area, and Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Filled with natural beauty, charming townscapes and National Treasures, Nara is less than an hour by train from Kyoto and Osaka, and easily accessible from Tokyo.
Although Nara does not have its own airport, neighboring Osaka is home to Kansai Int'l Airport and Osaka Airport. You may want to consider an internal flight to one of these airports if you are arriving in Japan at Narita, Haneda or Fukuoka airport and traveling directly to Nara. If already in Japan and traveling from central Fukuoka or Tokyo, in many cases the train is quicker.
Complete the"Enter Payment& TravelerInformation Page"
Enter the Promotion codeJLOTOBUTAI