Today, we spent a full day in Nara, visiting a number of UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Nara was the old capital of Japan from 710-784. It was the cradle of Japanese culture, art and crafts. Buddhism was first introduced here under the strong patronage of successive emperors / empresses. Nara is 42km, minami (south) of Kyoto.
After our breakfast at Nara’s café, we started our morning walk to the old Naramachi & Noborioji St, lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, bookshops and gift stores etc.
The first UNESCO cultural site we visited was the Kofukuji Temple. We paid Y600 (RM19) for entrance fee. The temple has four main gates facing different directions ie kita (north),higashi (east), minami (south),nishi (west) gate and each of the gates is used as lecture hall, learned center, monk dormitories, and housed the various Buddha statues. The 3 storey and 5 storey temples were first built in 730. The existing 5-storey temple (50.1 meters high) is a restoration, which was completed in 1426. Both temples were the oldest in the world and had been declared as the national treasures of Japan. The temple is supported with four big wooden pillars and has a unique roof design & structure.
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The second UNESCO world heritage site we visited was Todaiji Temple. We paid Y500 (RM15) for the entrance fee. This temple was completed in 752 and was the head temple of all provincial temples in Japan. Due to fire, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt in 1692. Todaiji is the largest wooden temple in the world and its magnificent structure has attracted a lot of visitors. As we entered the temple, two huge stern face god statutes in standing position greeted us. The temple was packed with worshippers offering prayers to a large bronze Great Buddha statute. There were a number of well-preserved large standing ancient artifacts (in the shape of a flower, petals, vase) and lanterns on display at the main hall. Also on display were stone carvings of religious figureheads. There was a long queue of children waiting their turn to crawl into a hole of a tall round wooden pillar. The hole (equal to the size of the bronze Buddha head) is big enough for the kids to enter from one end and come up from the other end. We were told kids who perform this act would be bestowed with good luck and fortune! As we exited from the Todaiji Temple, we took a picture of a big bell housed in a wooden structure building, located just a stone throw from the temple.
Other UNESCO cultural sites in Nara are Gangoji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Toshodaiji Temple, Yakushiji Temple and Horyuji Temple. These temples were built in the 6th & 7th century. However, due to time constraints, we were not able to pay a visit to these temples.
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We also passed by the Nara National Museum and the Nara Park, which is popularly known as Deer Park for its local deer, a symbol of Nara. These tame animals roamed around the park and we saw visitors busy feeding the deer with animal biscuits bought from a nearby stall. The Park is centrally located and within walking distance to Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple and Kasuna Grand Shrine. In old Naramachi, I took a picture of a stone sculpture of a deer statute standing on the side of a main road.
After the temple visit, we took a town bus and had lunch in a Japanese restaurant near a shopping street, not far from the Kintesu Nara Station. I paid Y1,000 (RM32) for a bowl of ramen noodles come with a salad dish and a plate of bean curd – a bit pricey as this place is mainly catered for tourists
After the temple visit, we took a town bus and had lunch in a Japanese restaurant near a shopping street, not far from the Kintesu Nara Station. I paid Y1,000 (RM32) for a bowl of ramen noodles come with a salad dish and a plate of bean curd – a bit pricey as this place is mainly catered for tourists
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We were back to Nara’s café around 18.00 and after a short rest; we walked to a nearby public onsen (hot spring) to have our bath (Y380=RM12). Prior to dinnertime, our host in Nara invited two Japanese ladies, dressed in kimono costume to sing and perform a few classical dances. Both were given a big round of applause when the performance ended.
We had a delicious dinner tonight ie stir-fried udon noodles, savory chicken and scrambled egg at Mayumi’s café. I bought a can Asahi beer for Y300 (RM9.60) and after drinking it, I slept very well that night!
Time heals almost everything Give time, time! Nara & Kyoto were once the ancient capital of Japan. Over time, both cities have emerged as a real gem to many visitors & tourists from local and overseas.
We had a delicious dinner tonight ie stir-fried udon noodles, savory chicken and scrambled egg at Mayumi’s café. I bought a can Asahi beer for Y300 (RM9.60) and after drinking it, I slept very well that night!
Time heals almost everything Give time, time! Nara & Kyoto were once the ancient capital of Japan. Over time, both cities have emerged as a real gem to many visitors & tourists from local and overseas.
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