I have finally calmed down from the excitement of seeing the Geisha Dance yesterday, so it's back on with the itinerary . . . . today we are going on a little train journey to Nara. Nara is about 45 minutes from Kyoto and is a very popular day trip. Now - my understanding is that Nara was Japan's first capital city (not too sure if that is true). . . but it is full to the brim of some of Japan oldest and biggest Temples.
There were a few things I wanted to see here but mainly I wanted to go to Todai-Ji Temple. This is where Japan's biggest bronze Buddha lives. Lots to see and do . . . so an early morning is required - alarm clocks at the ready!!
It's bloomin' freezing again this morning - but Scott checked the weather forecast and was supposed to brighten and warm up by the afternoon . . . just as long as it doesn't rain.
Got to Kyoto station with some time to spare, so we went up to the top of the station to have a look . . .
Kyoto Tower
View from the 'almost' top of the Kyoto station . . . there was still another floor to go!
We had to go back to ground level to get the train . . . and when we got to the platform, it looked like everyone else had decided to go to Nara today as well! It was heaving!
50 minutes later, we were in Nara and it was freezing!! So, a brisk walk was needed to get the blood pumping! Scott decided (yet again) to go in the opposite direction of all the other tourists and go off on our own! I've stopped arguing about this now, 'cos I know he's right and I'll see more without huge crowds.
First stop was the Nara National Museum. This is full of Buddhist sculptures and statues. It was fascinating. How they managed to make such intricate statues from a solid block of wood is amazing!
Next up was Kofukuji Temple. The Five Story Pagoda here is the second largest in Japan . . .
They just wander all over without any restriction. There are about 1200 deer in Nara and in Shinto they are regarded as messengers of the gods and are a national treasure (so no chasing them with sticks - as the posters around Nara tell us). They are harmless, but they do eye you when you get close, but that's just because they think you have food! There is Deer food for sale and the deer know exactly where all the stalls are and hang round them!!!
Some deer have learned to bow for the crackers . . . . and we saw a couple of them do that today! They also take advantage of the kids . . . the deer know Mam and Dad are going to want to take a photo of their cute little 'un feeding the cute deer, so the deer go up to the kids nicely to take the cracker, then do a quick move to freak the kid out . . . the kid then screams, drops the crackers and runs away . . . the deer then gets them all and doesn't have to smile for the camera!!!
They also hate being teased and will chase you if you're being nasty . . . and will eat anything - I saw a couple lose their sightseeing map!!!
One deer reading the sign that warns they will kick, bite, shove and grab!!!!!
Next stop was the Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) which was on top of a hill (of course!!).
There are hundreds of lanterns around this shrine which have been donated by worshippers. Twice a year all the lanterns are lit during the lantern festival. The lanterns go on forever!!!
We then stopped in the Treasure House for this Shrine as they had a special exhibition of 'boy stuff' - swords and samurai armour etc . . . Well I have to let him have something every so often and he did trail round the Buddhist Museum with me!!!
So, now we decided to make our way back to the big touristy area and make our way to the the Todai-Ji temple where the big guy lives.
On the way, I REALLY needed a coffee . . . . we hadn't stopped for ages! So one small beg later - I got my way. We were just passing the Nara New Public Hall. This was built in 1987, but is still a very impressive building. There was absolutely no-one round . . . not a tourist in sight, so in we went! We ended up in the restaurant (where I think 'ladies do lunch') and as we walked in, the chef asked us if we wanted lunch - we declined politely and asked for just a coffee . . . . .
I don't think place did 'just coffee' but in true Japanese fashion, they cleared table for us and brought us a glass of water. Every time we took a sip of water, a lady would appear to the side (like the shopkeeper in Mr Benn) and fill our glasses up! We knew then we could be in trouble here!!! You know our history with expensive coffee!!!
Two very dainty china cup and saucers came out filled with hot coffee. I have to say it was delicious and they let us stay and rest our feet and nurse our coffees for ages! As we were sitting, we were overlooking a gorgeous garden and Scott wanted to explore . . . so we paid for our coffees . . . surprisingly they were only 500Y each (considering we paid 400Y each for a 'can of coffee' the other day, we we quite happy!!).
There was a sign by the door of the Public Hall inviting anyone to go and explore the garden . . so off we went. I went to photograph a Cherry Blossom Tree (Yes, they are starting to make an effort now!!)
Scott wandered off to find his Zen again . . . he's finding it a lot lately!
This was his Zen spot . . I can see his point - it was lovely!
So, the Nara New Public Hall is our secret garden, so don't tell anyone about it - OK?!?!?!
The Todai-Ji Temple is just round the corner now . . . and we are back among the tourists.
It's an impressive Temple and was built as Head Temple of all the other Buddhist Temples in Japan! Not only do we have Japan's biggest Bronze Buddha, but he lives in the worlds largest wooden building - even though there is only two thirds left standing now!!!
The worlds biggest wooden building!
The Big Guy . . . he looks a lot bigger in person!
His stats are:
- Height of Body: 14.98m (48.91ft)
- Length of Head: 5.41m (17.75ft)
- Length of Eye: 1.02m (3.34ft)
- Length of Ear: 2.54m (8.33ft)
One of the Diabutsu's minders!
Scary man . .
Another scary minder!!!
Bought some microwave food from the 7-Eleven . . . which isn't as bad as it sounds - I has a really nice piece of chicken with some sticky rice . . it was lush. One problem was we were shopping while we were both hungry . . . so I've done my blog tonight whilst eating some M&M's . . .
Another alarm set for tomorrow as we are going back to Miyajima. I debated this for a long time as we said we would try to do different things from last year - but I loved it so much last time, that I really wanted to go back. Miyajima is only 2 hours away by Shinkansen and we have our magic passes, so it was be a waste not to go!! We should hopefully be there for low tide so I can plodge out and touch the Itsukushima Shrine (the floating torii gate).
Until tomorrow . . . love n hugs xxx
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