Nara Things to Do Tips by vic&michael

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)

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Phone: 0745 75 2555
Address: 1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara,
Website: http://www.horyuji.or.jp

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...

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Address: Nara Koen (Park)
Directions: From train station Kintetsu, follow the many signs in English to Nara Koen/ Nara Park!
If you're going uphill, you're in the right direction! Takes maybe 5-10mins walk.

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.

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Directions: From Nara's main train station (Kintetsu Nara) follow the signs to Nara Park or Todai-ji temple up the hill (keep left) and walk about 10 minutes to Nara Park, and another 5 minutes through the park and you'll see the enterance gate.

Spring is a sensational event in Japan.

The cherry blossoms really are beautiful. Maruyama Park in Kyoto is the most famous place to go for a picnic under the cherry blossoms. However, it will be really really crowded in Kyoto! If you want to miss the crowds, go to Nara!

Michael and I went to Nara Park and found a cherry tree to sit under and eat our Japanese Spring Bento (lunchboxes). It was a relaxed day with beautiful scenery. There were quite a few families out, but we were'nt crowded at all.

You can even rent a wee boat and row yourselves around the pond whilst admiring the weeping blossom trees.

I have many photos in my travelogues of the cherry blossom picnic and scenery in Nara, and also rowing a boat on the pond. Take a look!

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