What You Need to Know about Nara, Japan.

It was my first time to visit Nara. As you all know, I am a fan of UNESCO sites and although I haven't completed my UNESCO list in Kyoto yet, Elle and I pursue to cross out some of the UNESCO sites in Nara. But you know what, Nara gave me that shivers different from what I felt for Kyoto. It has a charm of it's own that's worth an effort to visit and it is for you to find out.

Nara is located in Kansai Region. It can be accessed easily in less than an hour either through Osaka or Kyoto. We chose Osaka since we were staying in Osaka area that time. 

Just like Kyoto, Nara is one of the places in Japan that's easy to navigate especially by bus. Elle and I bought the Nara Pass for one day. You may want to get that map at the tourist center once you're at the train station and you'll easily get the hang of roaming around the area.

It is not new to us that Japan is clean and organized. See this community that we passed through, we we're just so lucky to see the area. It felt...amazing.

Nara is the home to thousands of free roaming deers. They do have their own rules when it comes to deers as they are considered as valuable part of tourism in Nara. Be aware of these rules and remember that even though they looked cute and behave (that even when you may take pictures beside them) they can be aggressive too. Read the signs and please keep those papers, it happened to us, that they grabbed our map and it was too late for us to recover that piece of guide. 

Deers can be found anywhere in Nara but there's this place called Nara Park where you'll see most of them gathered in one place. 

Awwww.... Cutie!!! 

Do not tell me I did not warn you. 

(See picture below)

More of them. It was a fun experience to encounter these deers. 

UNESCO SITES

What I like about Nara is the cumulative UNESCO sites that can easily go to from one place to another. 

KOFUKU-JI TEMPLE

When we visited this temple the Central Golden Hall was under construction. It's expected to be completed on 2018 but will further continue recontructing again until 2023. Anyway, here's a glimpse of what we saw when we were there. 

Southern Octagonal Hall

Five Story Pagoda

The Konfuku-ji's pagoda is the second tallest pagoda in Japan. The first one is the Todaiji Temple in Kyoto. 

Eastern Golden Hall beside the Pagoda

You may want to ride the bus or walk around when you're doing your UNESCO hopping either way I know you will enjoy looking at the landscapes and streets. Living in a Third World Country - I wonder why this place exist. It's such a wonderful feeling. 

KASUGA TAISHA SHRINE

Of the most famous shrines in Nara is Kasuga Taisha. It is a Shinto Shrine. What I like about this place is the welcoming lanterns along the way and the deers that are still free to roam around. Such a good combination.

There are over three thousand lanterns around this famous UNESCO site which I believed should be best seen during night time. However they only lit the lantern all at once during Setsubun Mantoro and Obon Mantoro. These are their festivals. 

Todaiji Temple

 The most famous temple in Nara is the Todaiji Temple.  It houses the biggest bronze statue of Buddha located at the Daibutsuden or Big Buddha Hall. No one goes to Nara without visiting Todaiji. 

Nandaimon Gate

The Nandaimon Gate is considered as a National Treasure. 

Below are the two guardians of Nio Gate.  

Sorin

Beautiful whatever angle.

Daibutsu/Big Buddha

Lotus Petal

There's more details of this temple as you go inside the hall. 

Below is one of the guardians of the Main Hall, Komokuten.

Great Buddha Hall

We tried going to another UNESCO site, Gango ji, but unfortunately the temple closes at 5pm. Here is all what we got.

There's a lot of things that you could do in Nara more than temple hopping. It is one of the places that I think one could easily go to. If you think that Kyoto is beautiful but a lot more touristy now, try visiting Nara. It's known as "Little Kyoto". More Calm, I guess. 

There is more of my Japan visit. See You Then!