From Kyoto to Nara (JR)
Travel Time: Around 45 mins
Kyoto Station - Nara StationTake JR Nara Line (Miyakoji Rapid Train) the final stop will be Nara.
Nara
Nara was the first capital of Japan from 710 CE - 794 CE. Based on the Chinese city of Xi'an, the city was built in a grid format with the Palace at its north end. During this time, Emperor Shomu directed the building of Todaiji Temple and the world's largest bronze Buddha. Eventually, the monasteries gained such a strong political influence that overpower the emperor and government, hence the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784, then Kyoto in 794.Things to do in Nara:
- Todaiji
- Kofukuji
- Nara Park
- Naramachi
What to Eat in Nara:
Higashimuki Shopping District - Tendon Makiya
Todaiji
UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" with 7 National Treasures
Founded: 728
Todaiji was the chief temple constructed for a national system of monasteries (community to house monks under religious vows) known as the Kokubun-ji system. Thus Todaiji temple serve both as a place of prayer for peace and affluence on earth, as well as a center of Buddhist doctrinal research with a special focus on Kegon doctrine.
Todaiji Temple is the world's largest wooden building with the largest bronze statue Daibutsu. The Great Buddha Hall has been rebuilt twice due to fire, whilst Daibutsu (The Great Buddha) has been recast for various reasons, one of the damaged was the head of the Great Buddha fell off during a major earthquake in 855.
Todaiji Temple is the world's largest wooden building with the largest bronze statue Daibutsu. The Great Buddha Hall has been rebuilt twice due to fire, whilst Daibutsu (The Great Buddha) has been recast for various reasons, one of the damaged was the head of the Great Buddha fell off during a major earthquake in 855.
Nandaimon Gate
National Treasures
Nandaimon Gate is a national treasure along with 2 statues that serves as the guardian believed to protect the temple from evil spirits. Each of the statue is 8.5 metre tall: Statue of Guardian Ungyo symbolizes Strength; Statue of Guardian Agyo symbolizes Violence.
Chumon Gate
The Great Buddha Hall
The Great Buddha Hall is the Main Hall of Todaiji also the largest wooden structure in the world.
Octagonal Lantern
National Treasures
Daibutsu (The Great Buddha)
National Treasures
National Treasures
The Daibutsu is known as Vairocana Buddha, the light of whose knowledge and companssion illumines widely. The seated Great Buddha is 15 meters tall alongside with two Bodhisattvas: Kukuzo Bosatsu & Koumoku-ten.
(Right) Statue of Koumoku-ten: Sees through evil, punishes evil and encourages aspirations for enlightment.
(Left) Statue of Bodhisattva Kokuzo Bosatsu: Improve memory, technical skills and artistic talents
Kohfukuji used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara family known as "The temple that generates blessings".
The Five-Storied Pagoda was first built in 730 by Empress Komyo, the daughter of Fujiwara no Fuhito. At the height of 50 meters, it is Japan's 2nd tallest wooden pagoda. The setup of the pagoda is based on the "four Buddhas of four directions" that symbolizes a distinctly Mahayana Buddhist conception of time and space.
(Left) Statue of Bodhisattva Kokuzo Bosatsu: Improve memory, technical skills and artistic talents
Kohfukuji
Founded: 710Kohfukuji used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara family known as "The temple that generates blessings".
The Five-Storied Pagoda was first built in 730 by Empress Komyo, the daughter of Fujiwara no Fuhito. At the height of 50 meters, it is Japan's 2nd tallest wooden pagoda. The setup of the pagoda is based on the "four Buddhas of four directions" that symbolizes a distinctly Mahayana Buddhist conception of time and space.
Nanendo (Southern Round Hall)
The Southern Round Hall was destroyed by fire multiple times, the present hall is the 3rd reconstruction built between 1741 and 1789.
Nara Park
Nara Park is a public park famous for friendly Sika deer strolling around. The deers are protected and designated as national treasures. You can feed the deers with deer crackers (sellers around the park) and strike a photo.
Naramachi
Naramachi (Nara Town) is a former merchant district exists since the Edo Period. The neighborhood still preserve its traditional architecture of the buildings up to this date.
Naramachi Koshino Ie (Naramachi Lattice House) *Free entry
🕕 09.00 - 17.00 (Closed on Monday)
📍 44 Gangoujicho, Nara-shi, Nara-ken
Run by the local council, Naramachi Lattice House is a traditional merchant house open for public visit. The house is narrow and deep because local land taxes are calculated based on the width of the house.
Entrance of Naramachi Lattice House
View of the kamado stove in the kitchen
Room
Inner garden or passage garden combine a garden with a hallway
Back sitting area overlooking the garden
Higashimuki Shopping District
This covered shopping arcade have restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops along the street. We had Tendon Makino for our lunch then back to Kyoto.Tendon Makino
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