Nara Visit

On 1st January during new year holiday, I have been to Nara with my family and friends. We enjoyed visiting most famous and historical temples and tourist destinations even there was a very cold. There are many UNESCO world heritage sites in Nara. One of the most popular temple in Nara is Kofukuji, which photos are shown above. It was founded in 669 by a member of the Fujiwara clan to pray for the clan leader to recover from illness. There are also the Three-storeyed Pagoda, Golden Halls, and Octagonal Halls, each of which enshrine various Buddhas and holy figures.

Nara park is also the most attractive sightseeing area in Nara. It was established in 1980 and many temples Todaiji, Tofukuji and Kasuga Taisha are located in this park. We can see many hundreds of freely roaming deer in the park.

Another most popular temple of Nara is Kasuga-Taisha (photo above), which is one of the oldest and largest shrines in Japan. It was built in 768 by the Fujiwaras. On the day of new year, thousands of people came this temple to pray the god.

Todaiji Temple

Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple

Wooden pillar with hole

Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous historical temple (photo above). It was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan. In Todaiji temple, there is Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue 'Daibutsu' and it is also the world's largest wooden building. A popular attraction of Todaiji is a pillar inside the temple which has a hole in its base the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be granted enlightenment in their next reincarnation.

Ukimi-do

Ukimi-do is also the popular site in Nara, which is located inside Nara park. Ukimi-do hexagonal gazebo-on-the-water is built over Sagi (heron) Pond in Nara Park. When we were in Ukimi-do, it was almost darkness in the sky and returned back to our destination.