JPETIQUETTE|manners of Japan|Nara

Nara

I suggest these places if you have plans to visit Nara.

Nara started to prosper over 1300 years ago when the Imperial Court (Chotei) governing Japan was moved to Nara, establishing the city as the capital. Today, Todaiji Temple, Heijokyo-ato (Nara Palace Site), Toshodaiji Temple and many other places in Nara are registered as World Heritage Sites.

Kintetsu Nara Station

Kintetsu Nara Station near Nara Park is very conveniently located for sightseeing. The tourist information office is on the ground floor. You can get a tourist map near the ticket window on the basement floor.

http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html

Sento-kun

Sento-kun (see the right photo) is the mascot character of Nara Prefecture. Sento-kun has a clean-shaven head, like Buddhist monks, and deer like horns. Cute Sento-kun can be found in many places throughout Nara.

https://twitter.com/SentokunTeam

～Nara Park～

Nara Park is one of the best known tourist sites in Japan. This extensive park of approximately 660 hectares has many World Heritage registered temples and shrines, including Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple and Kasuga Great Shrine (Kasuga Taisha).

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji is the most famous tourist site in Nara. Todaiji offers many things to see, including the world's largest wooden building, Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), world's largest bronze statue of Buddha (Daibutsu) and many beautiful Buddhist statues in the museum.
http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html

Enjoy very big snacks having to do with the Daibutsu

In the Higashimuki Shopping Street near Nara Park, you will find many large snacks having to do with the Daibutsu of Todaiji. Looking for such snacks and eating them are an amusing part of visiting Nara.

A Daibutsu bun filled with bean paste may be bigger than your hand

Daibutsu pudding in a large honey jar

Kofukuji Temple

In Nara Park, Kofukuji's Five Storied Pagoda is as famous as Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall. The Kofukuji National Treasure Museum, where Buddhist statues designated as national treasures are displayed, is a must-see for Japanese art lovers.
http://www.kohfukuji.com/english.html

Kasuga Great Shrine (Kasuga Taisha)

The main sanctuary (honden) has four shrines, each with a different god enshrined. Around the beautiful vermillion pillars are approximately 3,000 lanterns donated by worshipers.
http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/about/index_en.html

Feed the deer

The deer in Nara Park are usually friendly. You can buy deer biscuits at stores in Nara Park and feed the deer.

The deer in Nara Park are surprisingly friendly.

You will find deer biscuits in front of stores.

Deer biscuits are bundled with a paper ribbon.

By breaking a biscuit into two or more pieces, you can give them to more deer.

Deer will quickly come to you as soon as they see you holding biscuits.

Although deer are cute and friendly most of the time, they are still wild animals and can be dangerous. Bucks excitedly chasing does and deer with large antlers can be particularly dangerous. Watch out for them so that children and elderly people are not charged at, gored or bitten.

Heijokyo-ato (Nara Palace Site)

Heijokyo was the capital established in Nara over 1300 years ago. In the center of Heijokyo were the Imperial Court (Yamato Chotei) and other government offices.

Today, you can learn the history of Nara in the restored Daigokuden (Former Imperial Audience Hall) and Suzaku Gate of the palace, as well as the museum, exhibition hall, historical museum and other tourist facilities.

http://heijo-kyo.com/index.html

http://www.nabunken.go.jp/heijo/

Enjoy walking in Heijokyo in the early morning

There is a walkway around Heijokyo, where local residents enjoy jogging in the early morning. In the early morning, when the tourist facilities are still closed, we recommend walking on the walkway in the fresh morning air, thinking about ancient times.

Horyuji Temple

Horyuji was founded in 607 AD, over 1400 years ago. In this World Heritage temple, you will find Japan's oldest Five Storied Pagoda and world's oldest wooden building: Kondo (Main Hall).

http://www.horyuji.or.jp/horyuji_e.htm

Toshodaiji Temple

Toshodaiji was founded by a Chinese monk, Ganjin Wajo. The Kondo (Main Hall) is particularly magnificent. The hall itself and nine Buddhist statues housed in the hall are all designated as national treasures. Toshodaiji was registered as a World Heritage site in 1998.

http://www.toshodaiji.jp/english/index.html

～Sakurai City～

Sakurai City is in the eastern part of Nara Prefecture, not far from Nara City. Nara Prefecture has many places to visit and many things to see.

Abe-Monjuin Temple

The seven-meter-tall statue of Tokai Monjyu (Monjyu Bosatsu Riding a Lion) standing in the temple building is beautiful and designated as a national treasure. Monjyu Bosatsu, or the Buddha of Wisdom, is holding a sword and riding a lion. Since this temple enshrines the Buddha of Wisdom, many students visit this temple every year to pray for success on their exams.
http://www.nara-yamato.com/abe/en/

Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera is located on a quiet mountain, away from the bustle of the streets near Nara Station. One of this temple's treasures is the statue of Juichimen Kanzeon Bosatsu (Eleven-Faced Kannon), which is over ten meters tall and very impressive.
http://www.hasedera.or.jp/