Japan Day 8.1 - Nara

I thought I had planned out this day pretty well, and that I’d have a super full day. The truth was the crowds were so low that I didn’t have any problems getting into any of the temples I wanted to.

This had the happy accident of forcing me out of my comfort zone and going up to the top of the mountain road. It was one of the most important and amazing walks I’ve had in recent years.

If you want to know more about why it was important to me, I wrote a post on it a few months back: Faith, Forgiveness & a Path to Scale a Mountain

Early Morning Start

I didn’t learn my lesson and left super early in the morning. I think the more apt description is I refused to learn my lesson. This picture was taken just outside of my hotel.

Welcome To Deer Town

Nara is famous for its deer. Nara park in particular had hundreds of them laying about in the grass. This was outside of the Kōfukuji five storied pagoda.

They're In The Streets

I found this kind of funny, as the deer were spilling out into the streets and I liked the contrast.

You Shall Not Pass

This was the direction I was trying to go to, and this rude fellow was blocking my path!

Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji

This is one of the areas that typically overrun with tourists. Though the low crowds were likely caused by Covid 19 and the travel restrictions that were starting to come into place, the early morning would still be the time to come if you want clean photos.

Hidden Deer

The deer here usually get cookies from the tourists that are sold by the locals. This little one was eager for a cookie that I didn’t posses.

Baby Deer!

This deer was one of the cutest, I loved him!

Tōdai-ji

This was another of my favourite photos. I loved the moodiness of the clouds with the shimmering rain puddles on the tiles. Slightly ominous, but I love it.

Brass, Baby!

On my next trip, I think I’ll endeavor to look for more information or a craftsman that I can visit to find out more on how these brass sculptures are made. They’re amazing and intricate.

Found the Incense

This was at the immediate entrance of the temple, and the smell permeated the whole entrance.

Bronze Buddha

This is one of the great large Buddha statues in Japan, and was a marvel to see. This picture doesn’t show off the scale properly, but you’ll have to trust me.

Still Quite Large

Surrounding Buddha were several large statues in their own right, but still dwarfed in size by the central focus piece.

Painting Time

Another large sculpture, this time carved from wood. You can see it nearly reaches the first set of rafters.

Staff for Days

Another figure off the side of Buddha. I remain regretful for not finding more out about these at the time. That said, I was a bit lost in enjoying the craftsmanship.

One Last Figure

There were more statues that I didn’t photograh, but these last 4 were indicative of the other figures within the temple. Worth the visit!

Little Birdy

On my way out of the temple I caught this little green bird chilling amongst the pink flowering trees. Another of my favourites from the day.

Cookie?

No cookie. Sorry.

Cookie Now?

Still no cookie, please leave me alone.

Definitely No Cookie?

Everyone else had cookies, I didn’t. The deer were perpetually disappointed in me.

Line Of Sleepy Deer

While walking to Kasuga-taisha, I passed many deer sleeping at the foot of the mountain. These deer I liked. They didn’t pester me.

A Cutie!

This is an officially recognized ‘Most Photogenic Deer"‘ in Nara. Officially certified by me.

Kasuga-taisha

The building has large red beams as the structure, but at the base of some of those beams were these origami deer.

Lanterns Into The Distance

I loved the lanterns and especially how the moss gathers on them and they fade into the distance.

Flowering Trees

Two of my favourite things from Japan, flowering trees and brass lanterns.

Lantern Town

Kasuga-taisha is famous for its many brass lanterns. It’s probably clearer to you why I wanted to come here now, huh?

Look To The Roof

This picture I took because I loved the texture of the roof and the odd direction the tree leans to.

A Small Shrine

I believe this is a little shrine, but if someone can read the inscriptions please let me know what this is!

Indoor Example

They had a little room in the back that had all the lights off except for the lanterns. They had a mirror that made it look like it stretched into the distance.

Was Too Dark

This was my attempt to show the lanterns in a bit more light. It was super difficult to show how it looked in the room, but this one does a bit better.

The Reason I Came

I had not seen a non-oxidized lantern before this point, but they are incredible. I loved the shine they gave off.

The Central Tree

This was a tree in the central court, and I loved how the branches looked a bit like roots.

Moss Time!

Another staple picture that I wanted to get, close up moss!

The Entrance

This was the view of the steps to the main entrance through the forest. I loved how secretive it looked.

Snuggles

These two were hanging out by the steps of the temple. They were adorable.