Nara Things to Do

My favorite experience in Nara was seeing the deer in the park. They just walk around free, there are no barriers, but they know not to go onto the road! I think they must be sacred temple deer?

The locals have commercialised on the deer. There are stalls in Nara Park with many deer-shaped souvinears. You can also buy deer-food to feed them. It costs US$1.50 for a bunch of wafer-like deer food. Although it looks like wafers, don't try to nibble on them like I saw a tourist do once! haha!

Once I bought the deer food, the deer headed for me fast! They are very tame, and have no fear of humans, but they don't really like to be patted (mind you, I tried! They are too cute to not try to pat!). Well, at first I thought it would be great fun, but once I started to feed them, they were so greedy for wafers that one nipped me on the elbow! Ouch! I was a bit scared after that! The male deer are more aggressive for food than the females. They will butt you with their heads, try to nibble your clothing/bags and even nip you! So, perhaps don't let your little children feed the deer...

To reach Todai-ji you need to walk first through Nara Park. The main gate of Todai-ji is a huge wooden structure. You won't miss it! On each side of the gate are large wooden Guardians (Nio Guardians). They are really fierce looking, and were carved in the 13th century.

Inside Todai-ji temple (called Daibutsu-den Hall) resides one of Nara's most famous sights. A giant-sized bronze buddha, one of the largest bronze monuments in the world. It is also made of gold, it has 130kg of gold! More often than not, you will encounter many schoolchildren also visiting the temple.
This hall is the largest wooden structure in the world! It was rebuilt in 1709. Crazily enough, I read that it's only 2/3rds the size of the original building!

Walking around the back of the buddha, we saw a wooden column with a hole in the base, and Japanese grown men and women attempting to crawl through! Apparently this hole is the size of one of the buddha's nostrils, and those who can wriggle their way through, gain enlightenment! If you'd like to see a photo of Michael squeezing through a hole the size of buddha's nostril, please take a look at my Nara Travelogue!

Admission fee is 500yen (US$5). Normal opening times are between 8am and 4:30pm.

In Nara-Koen park, there are over 1000 deer. They aren't fenced in, so the number is always changing. They pretty much just wander around the city. Deer are sacred and its illegal to hurt them, so they are well cared for! They also aren't afraid of humans, so they will walk right up to you - or let you walk up to them.

You can buy "deer cookies" -- basically glorified rabit food -- and feed the deer. They can get really pushy so be careful!

The grounds of Horyuji holds the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings. It is Japan's First World Cultural Heritage site. Horyuji contains over 2300 important cultural and historical structures and items. About 190 of these have been designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The temple and the halls in this area are an amazing feat of woodwork. There is also a gallery of Temple Treasures which include really really old wooden sculptures (originally laqured and with gold-leaf), clay sculptures, and replicas of old paintings that were destroyed in fires. What is interesting, is that the 5-story pagoda has an iron spire rising from it that they built to please the gods and so spare themselves from more fires. However, the rod would actually serve as an effective lightning rod as it is the highest point around. Looking out of the temple's giant door on it's right hand side, you will see a cherry tree in bloom. This may not seem amazing until you realise that it is winter/autumn/summer. This is a tree that blooms all year round. Actually, it is never in full bloom, but it always looks like it is about to go into full bloom. It is the only cherry tree in Japan that has blossoms all year round.
Ask at the payment counter for an English Pamphlet. It has a map and explains a lot of the history of the area.
(More Photos of Horyuji Temple in my Travelogue)

toda-ji temple is not only beautiful, but is the oldest wooden temple in the world. It also has the Great Buddha which is 16 meters high. It is an impressive sight. The Buddha hall was actually build up around the statue after the Buddha was completed.

This was originally built in 746 and has lasted through some fires -- however, the fires did destroy parts of both the structure and the Buddha.

In the temple is a hollowed out pole. If you can squeeze through it, your soul can be cleansed and you can reach enlightenment; be forewarned: you'd have to be about 3 years old to get through it!

The gardens are typical Japanese - ponds, bridges, stone gardens. Everything is manicured within an inch of its life.

Inside the Todai-ji temple is a pillar with a hole, looks like A4 size. I couldn't believe myself that I was able to squeeze through it if not because of the believe it will cleanse ones bad luck by going through the hole.

Todai-ji Temple at Nara Deer Park.
Put religion aside, this place is magnificent and definitely worth a visit. The Nara Park spread over many acres and Todai-ji Temple is the main attraction. Deers can be found in the park and they roam freely.
Todai-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world. It was built in the Nara period (710-794 AD). It houses a large bronze buddha statue with a height of 14.98m(48.91 ft). We were fortunate to see the sakura blossom at this park.

1 more image

Nara was a highlight! Besides the pagodas the Todai-ji temple was

I will be updating and adding to this later