If you’ve ever seen pictures of Nara online, you might think the beautiful temples couldn’t possibly be more breathtaking in person, but you’d be wrong. Out of all the cities in Japan I’ve visited, Nara remains at the top of my list. It’s a city full of historical treasures and landscapes that look like they came straight off postcards. If you’re visiting Kyoto or Osaka, you should seriously consider taking a day trip to see the breathtaking temples of Nara and everything else this ancient city has to offer.

A Brief History Of Nara, Japan

Before visiting Japan for the first time, I didn’t know much about Japan’s history. At the time, I just knew I loved the local food and was a big fan of anime. However, after visiting for the first time, I brought a book to read on a plane about Japan’s history. After reading it, I decided I had to come to Nara someday.

First and foremost, Nara is one of Japan’s major cultural and spiritual hubs, as seen by the city’s plethora of temples and shrines. In fact, the government’s concern that the city’s Buddhist temples were growing too dominant is one of the reasons they relocated the capital outside of Nara. What’s even more fascinating is that all of these temples survived over the years. They’ve withstood time, conflicts, and natural calamities, in contrast to many Japanese cities that earthquakes and fires have destroyed.

Visiting The Temples at Nara Park

The second time I visited Japan, I stayed in Osaka. From there, it’s only a short train ride away to Nara, Japan. I was surprised by how fast time flew before I stood in Nara Park. And then, it was just one surprise after the other. When I believed I had just witnessed the most spectacular architectural work, I would soon come across another one that was quite as stunning. Each temple and shrine is magnificent in its unique manner, and taken as a whole, they form an astounding collection of ancient Japanese architecture.

Kofuku-Ji Temple

In retrospect, the Kofuku-Ji Temple and the attached five-story pagoda, which are the first structures you encounter as you enter the park from the railway station, may have been the least striking. However, this in no way means Kofuku-Ji Temple wasn’t breathtaking in its own way. Standing in front of a building that’s more than a thousand years old felt indescribable. And that was only the start.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

The second temple I visited that day was Kasuga Taisha Shrine. On my way there, I finally saw my first deer. I’ve read about the deers before and was ecstatic when one got near my group and me. However, the excitement from the deer quickly washed away as we got closer to the oldest shrine in Nara, Kasuga Taisha, and heard about its history. This was probably one of my favorite temples in Nara, Japan. I can’t explain it; it just blew me away.

Todai-ji Temple

Want to see the largest and most reverend Buddha statue in the world? In that case, you should visit Todai-ji Temple, or the Great Eastern Temple, as some call it. When it was built, the statue of Buddha inside it almost bankrupted Japan. Nigatsu-Do Hall is an absolute must-see, a stunning wooden structure with elaborately designed wooden carved panels and large white lanterns. The purification fountain with the dragon is among Nara’s most spectacular structures. You will hear your jaw drop as you pass through the majestic statues of the old Nandaimon Gate.

Yakushi-ji Temple

In my opinion, Yakushi-ji might just be my favorite of the breathtaking temples of Nara, Japan (I might’ve said that about every temple, though). The great vermillion hall of one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto is almost beyond picture-perfect. Our tour guide told us the story of how the exquisite temple was repeatedly devastated by fire throughout history. Although today’s temple was rebuilt in the 70s, I couldn’t help but wonder if the original building was even more breathtaking.

If You Go:

Traveling to Nara is very easy thanks to Japan’s fantastic railway system. Japan Railways operates frequent quick trains between Osaka JR Station and Nara JR Station, where the journey usually lasts around forty-five minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Kintetsu Railway from Osaka-Namba Station to Nara Kintetsu Station, which is generally about thirty minutes but isn’t included in Japan Rail Pass.

Although I first visited Japan in the summer, I’ve heard that spring is the best time to visit Nara, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The city of Nara transforms into a sea of exquisite pink and white blossoms for a brief period, usually at the end of March or the beginning of April. However, sakura season usually brings in more tourists than any other season, so you can expect crowds and higher prices during that time. According to some, Japan is also lovely to visit in autumn and near the Christmas season, not the mention New Year’s Eve!

Moving To Japan

I can’t say I didn’t fall in love with Japan each time I visited. Over the years, I also met quite a few people who moved from the US to Japan, and I couldn’t be more jealous of them. Of course, moving to Japan isn’t entirely in my cards just yet, but maybe one day. If you’re considering moving to Japan, you should be ready for the change, culturally, but more importantly, a change in the climate. The seasons there aren’t like here at home. The first summer I visited, it almost didn’t stop raining for five days straight!

Final Thoughts

Nara is one of Japan’s most culturally significant cities, and Nara park is an absolute must-see if you’re visiting the Kyoto-Osaka area. When visiting, you’ll fall in love with the magical horizons and fascinating history of the place. If that’s not worth enough to you, consider how cool your pictures on Instagram will look if you take them in front of the breathtaking temples of Nara, Japan!

About the author:
Elsie Klein is a copywriter with a passion for traveling. Currently, she’s working All Season Movers, but when she’s not in the office, she’s booking her next trip in her venture to travel to visit every country in the world.

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Nara, Japan

by Anne Harrison

I don’t know how old the lady was. She may have been fifty, but more likely she approached a century. Standing, she barely reached my shoulder. Her stall was filled with food for tourists to buy and feed the deer. Remarkably tame, over one thousand deer (or shika) stroll freely through Nara Park.

Founded in 710, Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital. (Until then, each new emperor established a new capitol.) Known as Heijo-kyo (or Citadel of Peace), Nara rapidly became one of Asia’s most splendid cities, despite being the capitol for only 74 years. It also became a major centre for Buddhism, for the mountain range here divides Heaven and Earth, creating a home the gods. For many, this area of Japan is sacred.

As are the deer, for they are the messengers of the gods.

One of the delights of staying for a few nights in a place, rather than visiting for a day, is having the time for unexpected discoveries. We passed the night in a youth hostel, and breakfast came courtesy of the vending machine: a variety of different flavored minute noodles. Another machine offered a range of both hot and cold coffees, all served in a can, the temperature indicated by the color. The man on reception even made us some green tea in a gorgeous ceramic pot.

Our walk from the youth hostel led through a largely residential area. Old houses stood amongst immaculate gardens with perfectly manicured trees. Many had stone fences, and many had a statue of a beaver near the front door (for good fortune), often wearing a colorful apron or silly waistcoat. Being summer, gardens were awash with flowers.

We entered Nara Park through the little-used Tegamon Gate, which was literally hidden at the end of the street. It felt as if we had strolled into a local park; despite being the height of tourist season, the grounds seemed empty. Nara Park is some 1300 acres of parkland in the centre of the city; more than enough for hordes of tourists to lose themselves. Within its walls reside some of Nara’s most ancient and sacred buildings.

Within minutes, we’d spotted our first deer. Soon we saw them everywhere, some condescending to be patted, others scampering away should we venture too close. Meanwhile, paths and secluded walkways enticed us in all directions. There are more than enough temples to satisfy the most ardent visitors; tea houses to partake of refreshment, vending machines for cold drinks and ice-cream (flavors including green tea), and manicured lawns stretching down to lakes for simply relaxing. We even stumbled across some vegetable gardens and a few small rice paddies, all grown by the monks who live in the temple complexes. Walking down an alley of stone stairs, we came across a group of ladies painting.

Everywhere we walked, the deer were relaxing in the shade, nibbling the grass, or simply wandering at leisure.

The Todai-ji temple complex comprises the Daibutsuden (or Buddha Hall), sub-temples, halls and pagodas. The great southern gate is 19m high, whereas the temple itself has a striking roofline of up-turned lintels with golden tips. Within the Daibutsuden is the Great Buddha; at 16m, it is reputedly the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Cast in 752 AD, its size is best appreciated when being cleaned, when it is not uncommon to see four or five monks standing in the Buddha’s outstretched hand.

A victim of earthquake, fires and wars, the Buddha’s head dates to 1692. In a wooden pillar behind the Buddha is a small hole; it is said anyone who can squeeze through it will reach Nirvana.

A grand flight of stairs leads from the Sarusawa Pond to the Kofuku-ji Temple and Treasure House. This temple complex was founded in 669, although many of the original 175 buildings no longer remain. The current temple, a five-story pagoda, has been destroyed by fire several times; this building dates to 1462. It is the second tallest pagoda in Japan. The Eastern Golden Hall (or Tokondo) was constructed in 726 by Emperor Shomu (who also constructed the Todai-ji Temple) to speed the recovery of the Emperess Gensho. Along with the Treasure House, it has several priceless images, including a 12th century wooden bodhisattva of wisdom. There are also Buddhist paintings, scrolls, calligraphy and sculptures, many dating from the Nara and Heian periods.

There are numerous temples within the park, but not to be missed is the Kasuga Grand Shrine. This is one of Japan’s most photographed Shinto shrines. Originally built in 710, it was demolished and an identical shrine rebuilt every 20 years, in accordance with Shinto strictures of purity and renewal. The current building is relatively modern, dating to 1863.

The walkways around the shrine are lined with some 3000 stone and bronze lanterns. These have been donated over the centuries as tokens of thankfulness and faith. During festivals in February and mid August they are lit: a spectacular time to visit. You can also buy a slip of paper (omikuji) with your fortune; if unfavorable, simply tie it to one of the trees to negate its effects. Behind the temple is the Rokuen, a botanical garden preserving Japanese plants, and famous for its wisteria, plus its Homotsuden, a hall displaying costumes, swords and ancient armor.

Visiting Nara Park is walking back into the Japan that once was. As we left the park, the deer were using the subway to cross under the main street. From the roof of a nearby building we looked back over the park itself, with its primeval forest in which the trees have not been felled for hundreds of years. I felt I was not only looking back into time; I gazed over a sea of tranquility so often lost in this modern age.

And there are the deer. We finally succumbed to their doe-eyes, and bought a bag of wafer-biscuits. Suddenly they were no longer shy. They instantly surrounded us, demanding their share, and more than ready to head-butt us in the back should we hold out on them. One had the temerity to approach the food stall; immediately the tiny old lady whipped out a broom and chased it away. The deer may be sacred, but they don’t get a free feed.

Nara Afternoon Tour of Todaiji Temple, Deer Park and Kasuga Shrine from Kyoto

If You Go:

♦ Reaching Nara: From Kyoto Station, either the JR Nara Line or the Kintetsu Limited Express (both under an hour)
♦ From Osaka Namba Station: Kintetsu Nara line, approx. 45 min
♦ Tourist Information: Offices are at both major train stations in Nara
♦ Japan Tourism
♦ Nara Youth Hostel
♦ Japan Hotels and Ryokan

About the author:
Anne Harrison lives with her husband, two children and numerous pets on the Central Coast, NSW Australia. Her jobs include wife, mother, doctor, farmer and local witch doctor – covering anything from delivering alpacas to treating kids who have fallen head first into the washing machine. Her fiction has been published in Australian literary magazines, and has been placed in regional literary competitions. Her non-fiction has been published in medical and travel journals. Her ambition is to be 80 and happy. Her writings are available at anneharrison.com.au and anneharrison.hubpages.com

All photos are by Anne Harrison:
A deer investigating a food stall
The Todai-ji temple
The size of the Buddha is hard to appreciate
A rice paddy in the temple grounds