So today we transferred by coach to Japan’s former imperial capital Nara, a journey of approximately 1 hour. Nara is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our first stop was Todaiji Temple, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This temple is one of the Seven Great Temples of Japan and is home to the world’s largest bronze statue, Daibutsu. We went through Nara Park where there are deer begging for shika senbei, special crackers for deer that are sold for around 200 yen.
The Todaiji Temple (Great Eastern Temple) is the world’s largest wooden structure and is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved away from Nara in 784 in order to lower the temple’s influence on government affairs. The present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu) is 15 meters tall, represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas. Several smaller Buddhist statues and models of the former and current buildings are also on display in the Daibutsuden Hall.
On the way to Todaiji stands the Great South gate (Nandaimon Gate), a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national treasures together with the gate itself.
We then strolled around the corner to Isuien Gardens.The gardens are located west of Nandaimon Gate of the Todaiji Temple and cover nearly 3 acres. The Garden was designated a “scenic site” by the government in 1975. The garden is a combination of two Strolling-Around-the-Pond Gardens designed in two different periods: in the Edo period and the Meiji era. Isuien also has a small art museum that displays early East Asian art. Ther gardens were very peaceful and it was a delight to stroll through them.
Then on to Osaka, Japan’s third largest city. It is a flamboyant city with fun loving people and amazing food. There’s the old part of the city with the narrow streets full of tiny restaurants and street food as pictured below. The main streets have underground power but the smaller streets all have overhead wiring.
And then there’s the modern side of the city. A vibrant fun place to be!! Jen and I managed to find a bar at the Hilton where we indulged in a cocktail before dinner!!
And that’s the end of our Japanese trip. A very different and interesting experience.