My Japan: Nara

Nara for us, was a day-trip from Kyoto, by train. Nara, just 42 km south, is an even older capital of Japan than Kyoto. Kumiko and Yukari led us to the famous Nara Koen (Park), also known as the Deer Park, because here the deer rule! Our first encounter with deer was one that was walking up some steps before nonchalantly crossing a road to the other side!

A lone deer climbs up some steps (CNB 2012)

We saw even more later and were quite overwhelmed by these creatures. If you think deer are nice, calm and cute animals, think again when you see this signage (below) at the Nara Park. "The deer of Nara Park are wild animals. They can occasionally attack people, so please be careful". And what can these 'wild animals' do? Apparently they can bite, kick, butt or knock (you) down!

Warning on deer misbehaviour! (CNB 2012)

But they are such deer dear creatures! (CNB 2012)

We stopped at a scenic spot in the Deer Park for a picture of all six of us, kindly taken by one of our taxi drivers. Then we spotted inmates of a nursing home, all in wheelchairs, being helped by the staff to position them for a very nice photo. Also, a rikisha puller took photos for his customer. Spring was definitely in the air.

The six of us at Nara Park (2012)

Cheesu! Smile, you are in Nara Park (CNB 2012)

We proceeded to the famous Great Eastern Temple or Todai-ji, which is the the largest wooden temple in the world. It is connected to Nara Park, so there were still deer, deer everywhere (over 1,000, I am told). This Buddhist temple, built during the Nara period (710-794) has a 53 ft. high Daibutsu/Buddha statue sitting on lotus petals. The Daibutsuden (wooden hall) that houses the statue was rebuilt in 1709, one-third smaller than the original. But it still remains the largest wooden structure in the world.

In front of the gate into Todai-ji (AH 2012)

A class picture at the Todai-ji (CNB 2012)

There was a lot of activity at the temple that day because it was the registration day of the school attached to it. There were 'class' pictures taken, also blessing sessions for the children.

In front of the Todai-ji (KT 2012)

With Kumiko on the steps of the temple (YT 2012)

With Yukari in the temple grounds. Solve this puzzle - are our
heads sprouting branches of cherry blossoms or have we
turned into tree trunks?  Heh heh heh! (KT 2012)

In the temple, the wooden pillars are certainly big and tall (160 ft). Then there is the colossal Buddha in bronze, consecrated in 752 but damaged over the centuries and last repaired in 1692. Still looking okay.

The pillars inside the daibutsuden (CNB 2012)

The Great Buddha of Nara (CNB 2012)

Deer attack! As we left the temple area, we spotted many deer in the path ahead of us. The reason? There was a 'deer food' stall there and obviously the deer knew that some kind tourists were inevitably going to feed them! But they thoroughly overwhelmed Yukari as she tried to give them some of the special bisquits/crackers she'd bought.

 Help! Get away from me! Shoo! (CNB 2012)

Deer attack no. 2! Now Kumiko was being 'attacked' by the hungry (?) animals. She had carried a paper bag and this was ripped off her, spilling her things onto the floor. Before we could help to salvage everything, one deer managed to gobble a gift card that SH had given to her! Nevertheless, there was no biting, kicking, butting or knocking down involved, thank goodness!

Kumiko's paper bag gets ripped off (CNB 2012)

"Got anymore delicious gift cards for us?" (CNB 2012)

Nice doggie deer! (KT 2012)

We said sayonara to the cheeky deer of Nara Park and proceeded to get taxis back to the Nara-eki. Along the way to the taxi-stand, we spotted trees that had prayer notes tied to the branches. I wonder if the pieces of note paper become litter afterwards, although I think not (because everywhere in Japan seems super clean). There were also confectionary shops selling the usual wide array of sweets, cakes, desserts, and aisukrimu. Yay!

Prayers tied to branches (CNB 2012)

A confectionary shop (CNB 2012)

'Peace" and a matcha aisukrimu! (2012)

We could only manage a hurried lunch at a cafe outlet at the Nara-eki, the Vie de France. But they do serve some very delicious cakes and buns, including the delicious spinach & cheese buns. This time though, I had some colourful doughnuts of matcha, red bean and sakura flavours and a strawberry & milk drink. All very oiishi!

A view of the Nara-eki (CNB 2012)

My lunch at the Nara-eki (CNB 2012)

Here at Nara-eki we said sayonara to Kumiko (and a million thanks for being such a gracious host), before going on with Yukari to Kyoto-eki (where we had left our luggage) to take the shinkansen to Nagoya.

On the train from Nara to Kyoto (CNB 2012)

3-12 April 2012