The regarded messengers of
Shinto GODs surrounded us. We hear
screams, giggles and excitement from varied spectators. The vast field from where we were situated
saw the presence of sika deer in huge
number.
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| scenery as viewed from the train |
The day was allotted to Nara
of Japan specifically. It started
late. From JR Kyoto Station, another
scenic train ride was embarked to the countryside of Nara via the JR Nara
Station. It took almost thirty minutes
to reach Nara.
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| landmark at JR Nara Station |
Japan’s first permanent capital
was established in the City of Nara and holds the record of the city with the
most number of sites inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in Japan.
KOFUKUJI TEMPLE
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| East Golden Hall and the five-storey pagoda |
It was a relatively long
walk towards the Kofukuji Temple with a straight path leading to such
destination with the JR Nara Station as our vantage point. Along the road, there are bars and commercial
establishments specially catering to the tourists – being an anticipated route
for the walking tour at Nara.
Kofukuji Temple was once the
family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful clan during much of the Nara
and Heian Periods. To this day, it
houses buildings of historic value and the second tallest pagoda in Japan. At 50 meters, the pagoda is shorter by 7
meters from that of Toji in Kyoto – the tallest of the pagodas. The pagoda of the Kofukuji Temple is the
landmark of the city of Nara.
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| time to drink... |
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| Nan'en-do Hall |
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| roof tile details of the pagoda |
Nestled on top of a hill,
the landscape is composed of the garden lake and its passers-by. Rickshaws and bicycles pedaled through the
vicinity. Tourists and locals alike
complemented with the green panorama that is being presented.
While locating the Nara
Park, we were lead to a strip of residential houses.
NARAMACHI
Translated literally as the
Nara Town, Naramachi is a former
merchant district of Nara. Preserved
traditional warehouses, residential buildings line up the narrow lanes of
Naramachi.
There were shops of varied
sorts as we try to locate the Nara Park where sika deer roam freely as pictured in our mind. Interesting and unique finds are a common
sight. Noticeable is the fact that most
of the townhouses served both as a shop and living quarter of the
merchants. It is said that the fronts
were kept narrow in order to save taxes, which calculation was based on street
access rather than the total area occupied.
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| the narrow lanes of Naramachi |
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| interesting finds at Naramachi |
As we go further, we
accidentally reached the Gangoji Temple. It is one of the most important
temples of the Ancient Nara Period in Japan and is inscribed as another UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Admission comes
with a fee and since we are running out of time, we opted just to check-out the
façade and made the mandatory solo picture at the markers.
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| the marker |
Sensing that we are of the
opposite direction towards the Nara Park – our main destination, we went back
from where the garden lake is situated and stroll towards a direction where sika deers started to appear.
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| torii gate to Nara Park |
NARA PARK
Wild sika deer mingle with tourists in a vast acre of land. These deer have been regarded as a national
treasure and regarded as the symbol of Nara City. With benches around and a few shade of trees
perfect for loitering and picnic, the park serves its purpose well.
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| one autumn season at the Nara Park |
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| a sika deer amused at the tourists |
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| chilling at fall |
The sika deer may be wild but they are surprisingly tamed, though,
there are a few signage displayed to warn the public of their remote aggressiveness. For these sika
deer to come near, feeding is allowed where vendors sell crackers available
around the park.
A few distance of walking in
the park, the National Treasure and another UNESCO World Heritage Site comes
into view.
NANDAIMON GATE
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| at the Nandaimon Gate |
Approaching the Todaiji
Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands a wooden gate guarded by two giant
statues on each side. The statues are
designated as national treasures together with the gate itself.
Students on tour and varied
tourists were at the front gates, some in amusement while others screaming
while being flocked by deer. The
Nandaimon Gate becomes the divider between the Todaiji Temple and the natural
park.
The gate does not close but
the temple does. With that, we went in a
hurry to be able to witness the interior grandeur of the Temple.
TODAIJI TEMPLE
One of Japan’s famous and a
historically significant temple is the Todaiji Temple. With an admission fee of 500 yen, we queued
and made it on time before the temple closes to the viewing public.
As expected, there were a
lot of visitors in the newly-entered compound yet sika deer can no longer be found within the vicinity. The temple houses the world’s largest bronze
statue of the Buddha surrounded by miniature temples, other terracotta statues
and even souvenir shops. It is further
listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site as among the “Historic Monuments of Ancient
Nara”.
The main hall of the temple
where the Buddha is situated is said to be the world’s largest wooden building.
The temple truly holds a lot of world records, which I surmise is the reason
for the relatively high admission fee not to mention the maintenance needed for
such a vast area.
When visiting the major
cities of the Kansai Region of Japan (Osaka and Kyoto), a side trip to Nara
City is indeed highly recommended.
The deer and the temples
define the City of Nara.
1 comments
Japan, japan, sagot sa kahirapan. Lol. Sana mapuntahan na kita.
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