Ryokan Kosen

Japanese Language.

by Sharrie

Japanese language is one of the most complicated! Three types of characters. Anyway, here's some useful phrases to keep in mind in case you need help.

IN AN EMERGENCY:Help! Tas'kete!
Stop! Tomete!
Fire! Kaji!
Call the police Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!

Useful Phrases:

Yes Hai
No Ie
Thank you Arigato gozaimasu
Please Dozo
Sorry Sumimasen
Excuse Me Sumimasen
I don't understand Wakarimasen
Do you speak English? Eigo o hanashimasuka?
How are you? Ogenki desu ka ?
Good morning Ohayo gozaimasu
Good afternoon Konnichiwa
Good evening Konbanwa
Good night Oyasumi nasai
Good bye Sayonara

Gangoji Temple

by Rabbityama

Gangoji Temple is a small temple built in a Korean architectural style. It houses a famous mandala (image of the Buddhist Pure Land). There are many statues surrounding the temple. While most of them are typical Buddhist statues, there are also demon statues hidden throughout the temple grounds, each with its own unique (sometimes strange) pose! See my pictures for a few examples. Supposedly there is a reason for their presence, but no one had any information when I visited.

Gangoji Temple is one of Nara's less-visited World Heritage Sites. It is not unusual to have the temple to yourself or just a couple others.

Entrance is 400 yen.

Nigatsu-do

by mikegr

A pleasant escape from the crowds at Todai-ji is Nigatsu-do (one of todai-ji's sub temples). Entry is free and there are good views over the city towards the larger temple.

On March the 13th there is a large ceremony here, where priests shower sparks on to the crowds below. Think twice about attending the ceremony - it gets PACKED, and forget about bringing a nice picnic, you will have no place to sit and eat it. The publicity photographs are stunning as a result of long exposures, the reality is much less inspiring.

The colossal Buddha of Nara

by stamporama

Over the past 2 years, I've seen quite a number of big buddhas that I think I'm beginning to look like one. I have been to the Buddhas of Lantau island in Hong Kong, in a monastery in Kaohsiung, most recently the one in Kamakura and today the Daibutsu in Nara. Awesome!

For a statue that huge, it is but fitting that it be housed in an equally monumental structure. Which is why the Todai-ji temple is reputedly the biggest wooden building in the world. It would have been 30% larger had it not been for the fire that gutted it generations ago.

I once had the chance to visit a temple in Bali, Indonesia that had resident monkeys that one could feed with peanuts. For Nara, the Koryuji temple has deer freely roaming its grounds that are relatively tame and used to humans. You can pet them and will come near you when they can see or smell the biscuits in your hands. But do watch where you walk as you might step on their poo.

Is Nara

by devmicha

" Deer with no Fear!"

I love this place. The first time I saw the Daibutsu (Big Buddah) I wanted to cry. My heart jumped and I could feel history pulsing through me.

The Deer tho. They are just a little over-friendly. Not the timid, jumpy, stop in the headlights deer of home. These deer are hungry and they mean business!!
On my last trip through Nara one of these cute bambi's bit my friend, Dallas, on the Butt!!
On earlier trips I have barely escaped withmy lunch. My friend's have been less lucky.
Keep your pack covered!!