Japan 2017 - Day 2 - Nara

In my opinion Nara is a must see destination for any trip to Japan. Nara was the Capital from 710 to 794. Prior to that the Capital got moved every time the Emperor died. The Emperor Shōmu was Buddhist and greatly elevated the standing of Buddhism in the early part of this period. For that reason, as well as other factors, Nara is where the Todai-Ji and the Great Buddha are located. Arguably the most famous Buddhist sites in the whole of Japan. But beyond that it also is the location of several impressive gardens and important Shinto shrines. A great portion of the city is actually a 1,600 acre park where "wild" sacred deer roam freely among the tourists. They don't beg for food so much as demand it from you. LOL I first toured the Kofuku-Ji complex where I encountered a wonderful woman who explained that she is part of a group of mostly retired people that act as free tour guides. She showed me around the main complex area and pointed out and explained many things that I would have otherwise missed. Apparently many of the Pagodas only open on certain days that are religiously significant to the specific Buddha it houses. Many only open one day a year. I got to peak inside one, from a distance, that wasn't officially opened, but was being restored. After lunch I did some geocaching which took me along the west edge of the park and into a neighborhood. Then back into the park from a side path that was completely void of any other tourists. The forest is impressively thick, and quite loud with the sounds of bugs and birds. I ended up on the path to the Kasuga-Taisha shrine. While wandering that area I started feeling the first signs of heat exhaustion. It was around 98 degrees, with humidity also up around 90%, and there was absolutely no wind to be felt. Consequently my sweat wasn't really doing much to cool my body down. So after about 3 hours of walking I laid on a bench for about 30 minutes before feeling well enough to seek out the air conditioned gift shop near the parking lot. Eventually I felt good enough to take a bus the short distance to Todai-ji. Todai-ji, and more specifically, the great Buddha have been on my "list" for longer than I can remember. Nothing could have prepared me for walking into that building and seeing it with my own eyes. It, and the building housing it are ... well, I honestly can't put into words what that was like for me. Fantastic, amazing, incredible... they don't cover it. I believe the Great Buddha was completed in 751.

Nara More cool roof ornimintation Nara Pouring water on the diety that goes to hell to rescue the souls of children Nara Nara - Kofuku-ji South Pagoda Nara - Kofuku-ji South Pagoda Nara - Kofuku-ji North Pagoda The Pagoda only opens 1 day a year But i got to see inside because they were working on it. Nara - Kofuku-ji North Pagoda The Pagoda only opens 1 day a year But i got to see inside because they were working on it. Nara - Kofuku-ji Temple This was the wonderful guide that showed me around the Kofuku-ji complex Nara Photos aren't allowed inside the temple but i used some crafty exposure setting and the powers of Adobe Lightroom to show the inside while I photographed the outer doors. The statues inside were very impressive. Nara Photos aren't allowed inside the temple but i used some crafty exposure setting and the powers of Adobe Lightroom to show the inside while I photographed the outer doors. The statues inside were very impressive. Nara - Kofuku-ji 7 story Pagoda Nara - Kofuku-ji 7 story Pagoda Nara The park in Nara not only has deer roaming freely, but it seems that boar are also roaming about Nara Ukimi-dō Pavilion Nara Roaming the woods outside of the main tourist area Nara Roaming the woods outside of the main tourist area Nara Roaming the woods outside of the main tourist area Nara Roaming the woods outside of the main tourist area Nara Approaching Wakamiya Shrine Nara Approaching Wakamiya Shrine Nara Approaching Wakamiya Shrine Nara Approaching Wakamiya Shrine Nara Wakamiya Shrine Nara Wakamiya Shrine Nara Wakamiya Shrine Nara Along the path from Wakamiya Shrine to Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Along the path from Wakamiya Shrine to Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Along the path from Wakamiya Shrine to Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Along the path from Wakamiya Shrine to Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Along the path from Wakamiya Shrine to Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Kasuga-taisha Shrine Nara Deer hang on on the path leading to Todai-ji Temple and bug you for food. They can get aggressive, but are mostly freindly. Nara Deer hang on on the path leading to Todai-ji Temple and bug you for food. They can get aggressive, but are mostly freindly. Nara Deer hang on on the path leading to Todai-ji Temple and bug you for food. They can get aggressive, but are mostly freindly. Nara The VERY LARGE gate into the Todai-ji Temple complex Nara - Todai-ji Temple There are 2 Noi gaurding the Buddha. the are 28 feet tall and are made of wood. Nara - Todai-ji Temple There are 2 Noi gaurding the Buddha. the are 28 feet tall and are made of wood. Nara - Todai-ji Temple This was the wolrds largest wooden building untill 1998. It houses the great Buddha Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple I'm not sure what this is, possibly incense is burned inside it at times. But it was quite beautiful Nara - Todai-ji Temple The Great Buddha He was originally cast in 752 He is 49.1 feet tall The small statues around him are each 8ft tall. Nara - Todai-ji Temple This is Komokuten. He is one of the 2 Gaurdians inside the Temple that watches over the Buddha Nara - Todai-ji Temple This is Komokuten. He is one of the 2 Gaurdians inside the Temple that watches over the Buddha Nara - Todai-ji Temple The Buddha's Nostril (it's the same size as the nostril on the Great Buddha) If you can crawl through it you are supposed to recieve enlightement in your next life.