A DAY IN NARA

Nara is a city some 31 km East of Osaka. It was the capital of Japan before Kyoto from 710 to 794, there have been many capitals over the years, almost too many to count.

We took yet another private railway to get to Nara, the Kintetsu Railway, which left from a station very close to our hotel.

We had signed on to two tours with an English speaking guide. The first, the Classic Tour, promised that we would visit all the "must sees" in the city. Our guide turned up at the station to meet us and led us through the shopping area to meet up with the rest of our tour group.

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At the start of the walk

Offerings at the Kōfuku-ji temple

Kōfuku-ji temple under reconstruction

At the Kōfuku-ji temple

Five story pagoda at the Kofukuji temple in the park

Our tour took us to the Nara National Museum. Earthquakes are a perennial problem in Japan and there was a small exhibition on the precaution they have to take to make buildings earthquake proof.

A vibration mount placed under buildings to absorb the shock of an earthquake

It was a Saturday morning and there were large crowds everywhere

The were food stalls on the way - things on sticks

Fried something


Meat burgers

One of the main attractions in Nara park is the Tōdai-ji (Eastern Great Temple) which is a Buddhist temple complex, that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the region of Nara.

Nandaimon, the Great Southern Gate - entrance to Todai-ji

Todai-ji - until 1998 this building was the largest wooden building in the world. Today that structure is the Metropol Parasol located at La Encarnacion square in the old quarter of Seville, Spain

The walkway to Todai-ji

The world's tallest bronze statue of the Buddha is housed in the Great Buddha Hall. There are taller buddhas but this is the largest one made of bronze and is over 1400 years old

Kokuzo Bosatsu - symbolizes the "vast and boundless" Buddha wisdom that permeates the universe. In Japan, believers pray to Kokūzō to grant them wisdom on their quest toward enlightenment. They also pray to Kokūzō to improve their memory, technical skills, and artistic talents.

Komuku-ten is one of four Guardian Kings who protect the Giant Buddha from harmful and dangerous influences. They guard each of the four directions, North, East, South and West and are found at the four corners of the temple

One of the rear pillars of the temple is pierced with a hole that is said to be the size of one of the Great Buddha’s nostrils. Legend has it that if you can squeeze through, you are guaranteed a place in Heaven.