Ringo no Niwa Apple Garden
The open area in front of the two-storied Chumon gate is called the Apple Garden. The first apple tree to be planted here was donated by the Emperor Takakura (1161–1181) as an offering to the gods of the shrine.
The current tree was presented as a gift to Kasuga Taisha Shrine by Japanese schoolchildren in 1955. Every year, the apples from the tree are presented as offerings to the kami of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Ancient ceremonial music and sacred dance are performed in the Apple Garden throughout the year.