Nara, Land of Deer and Temples (6/18)

Today was a much slower day than the one before it, for which I was very thankful-- I was still pretty beat after all the exploring we'd done in and around Kyoto! We did have a bit longer of a commute-- our destination was Nara, a city right across the border from Kyoto. We did take a train to get there, but it might as well have been down the street!

On our way to Nara
Our first stop was Todai-ji, a massive Buddhist temple in Nara. This temple lay on the other side of Nara's infamous Deer Park, through which we walked. Nara is known for its deer, which roam freely through the parks and streets. They're practically domesticated, and are so used to being fed by tourists that they'll come right up and steal brochures out of your hand (they seem to have developed a taste for paper, of all things).


Navigating swarms of deer
Todai-ji itself is reputed to be the largest wooden structure in the world. It dates back to 728, and is also known for its massive bronze sculpture of Buddha Vairocana, again the largest in the world. I think my favorite part of the temple was the "enlightenment hole" at the base of one of its columns; squeezing through the hole was said to open the door for enlightenment! Of course I fit through it with ease.

Gateway to Todai-ji, deer included

Guardians in the gateway

The other guardian in the gateway

Todai-ji

A shrine to Binzuru, an arahat with occult powers who, when rubbed, heals (hence all the people rubbing)

One of several colossal Buddhas in Todai-ji

And the other

The "enlightenment hole" consumes another victim

My lunch, courtesy of continental breakfast (food in Japan is expensive!!!!!)

Our second stop was the Kasuga Grand Shrine, near the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, through which we also wandered. This shrine was of the Shinto tradition and provided some nice variety from the Buddhism we were used to.

Wandering through the primeval forest

Tons of shrines along the way

Again, that beautiful interplay of human-made and nature

Some incredible ceremonial drums in a military museum nearby

On the grounds of the shrine

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