City TRIP

Nara

Look, a deer! And there's another one. There are many more over there too. Here a deer, there a deer. Deer everywhere. Oh, My Deer!

Because of all the deer – the Shikas – you could almost lose sight of the other wonderful highlights Nara has to offer, which are perfect for a little day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.

Whether the sweet and oh so greedy deer are in Nara just for the temples and shrines or just for the special deer cookies, called Shika-Sembei? We do not know.

One of the most impressive highlights is the site of Todai-ji (Japanese 東大寺, literally "Great Temple of the East"), which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With a width of 57.01 metres, a depth of 50.48 metres and a height of 48.74 metres, the huge main hall is the largest purely wooden building in the world.
The statue of the Great Buddha (daibutsu) represents Buddha Vairocana. It is located in the largest hall of Todai-ji, which was rebuilt in 1708, but is said to have been a third larger originally. The figure, cast in bronze, is 15 metres high alone and about 18 metres high with base.

Other Buddhist temples like the Kofuku-ji, once one of the seven big temples in the city or the Nigatsu-do are only a short walk away.

Caution my dear! Behind you! A deer!

Japan, November 2019. | All words and photos by The Sturgheons.