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The Japanese city of Nara, which was once the first capital of Japan, is home to many ancient temples. In one of them there is a statue of a huge bronze Buddha almost 22 meters high.

Amazing Nara - Japanese Mecca for tourists around the world

The small and quiet Japanese city of Nara is considered a real Mecca for tourists from all over the world. Those who want to get to know the history of this amazing country and Eastern traditions come here. Once upon a time, 1200 years ago, it was on the site of modern Nara that the first capital of Japan appeared, where the entire court of the emperor moved. Heijo is the name originally given to Nara in Japan. This name meant "Citadel Capital of the World." And only later the city was renamed Nara in honor of the valley where it is located.

The magnificent temples of Nara

Nara Japan is home to a huge number of magnificent temples. Each of them is unique and inimitable. For example, the ancient Kofukuji Buddhist Temple has a three-tiered and a five-tiered pagoda. The second is one of the most ancient in the country and is considered a symbol of the city of Nara. And the prayer hall and pagoda of the To-Kondo Temple, where the sculpture of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom is located, are recognized as National Japanese Treasures.

But the most important place among the city’s shrines and attractions is occupied by Todaiji - the Temple of the Big Buddha or, translated from Japanese, “Great Eastern Temple”. This is not just one building, but a large temple complex, located on a large area in the center of the city of Nara and representing a unique architectural and artistic ensemble. The main thing in Todaiji is the Big Buddha Hall - the largest wooden building in the world. It is here that there is a bronze statue of a huge Buddha seated on the petals of a sacred flower - a lotus.

This incredible sculpture weighs 452 tons and its height including the pedestal is 21.6 meters. To cast this statue, it took 150 kilograms of gold, 437 tons of bronze, 70 kilograms of mercury and thousands of tons of charcoal. According to legend, the entire reserve of bronze in the country was spent on this Buddha. The giant statue in Nara weighs twice as much as the well-known Statue of Liberty in New York. However, in addition to the Big Buddha, there are other, no less interesting structures on the territory of Todaiji.

There is also a Hokkedo or Sangatsudo temple in Nara in Japan. This is a chapel that houses a sculpture of the god of mercy Fukukenjaku Kannon.

Nature of Japanese Nara

The city of Nara is also famous for its magnificent parks, where tamed deer live. These animals, by the way, are revered by local residents as Shinto divine messengers. Deer are not at all afraid of people and walk freely along the lawns and paths of the park, taking treats from the hands of visitors.

Nara is an ancient and unusual city with a truly magical charm. Tourists who come here remain forever under the spell of its charm.

The kingdom of the Great Buddha and... deer. This is Nara, the first capital of Japan.

In the history of Japan, 710 - 784 is the “Nara period”. . According to legends, it was on the land of Nara that the first Japanese emperor Jimmu set foot and laid the foundation for Japanese statehood. Nara became the center of Buddhist culture. In the Middle Ages, Nara was a refuge for rebellious aristocrats and samurai.

The main attractions of Nara are close to each other, which is very convenient. At the station, at the tourist center, we took a map and found out the bus number and got to the Kasuga Taisha stop. The ticket cost 190 yen, which is less than $2. It was possible to walk from the station, but the bus saved both energy and time. In front of us was a wide alley, on both sides, large stone lanterns traditional for Shintoism, which have been donated by pilgrims for hundreds of years. They say there are several thousand of them. Like the patina on candlesticks, moss on lanterns emphasizes their venerable age. Next to the lanterns are surreal patterns of roots of centuries-old trees protruding from the ground and deer walking everywhere.

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Deer in Nara are as much an attraction as temples and shrines. For the Japanese, the deer is a sacred animal, just like the cow in India. According to legend, a deity named Takemazuchi arrived in this city riding a white deer, which was its protector. Until the mid-17th century, killing a deer was punishable by death. Now there is no longer the death penalty, but Nara deer are recognized as a national treasure of Japan and are protected by law.

After a leisurely walk, we arrived at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

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The bright red color of the sanctuary buildings with carved roofs curving at the corners, hundreds of iron and bronze patterned lanterns hanging in a row - all this creates a fabulous picture. Probably, to complete this tale, in one of the prayer houses of the sanctuary, dozens of candles are burning in small lanterns and reflected in the mirrored walls.

From Kasuga Taisha Shrine, to Nara's next famous landmark, Todaiji Temple, the road again leads along an alley with moss-covered stone lanterns and beggar deer. By the way, all shops sell special cookies for them.

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Todaiji Temple is impossible to miss, with a huge wooden gate in front of it. It should be so, because Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world. This is the home of the Great Buddha Nara.

Historical reference.

Todaiji Temple was built in 745 by order of Emperor Shomu. The wooden structure burned down several times and was then restored with Japanese meticulousness. The last work on the restoration of the Temple dates back to the 16th century, the final restoration at the beginning of the 20th century. The bronze statue of Buddha was presented to the public in 752. The height of the statue is 22 meters, weight is 500 tons (for comparison: the weight of the Statue of Liberty in New York is 31 tons).

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Buddha sits peacefully on a huge lotus flower. I would say - the bronze image of nirvana. An outstretched hand is a blessing, bringing peace and grace to people. Behind the Buddha, his previous incarnations are 16 small, human-sized sculptures. And on the sides there are two more deities: the goddesses of mercy and happiness. And a funny picture not far from Buddha. It is believed that a small through hole in one of the huge columns of the temple is the size of a bronze nostril. Buddha. And according to legend, whoever can crawl through this hole will receive enlightenment in the next life. There is a decent queue of people who want to become a happy person. Children climb through the hole easily, but some adults have to help.

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Not far from Todaiji Temple there are two gardens literally adjacent to each other - Isuen and Yoshikien. A little trick: entrance to the first garden costs 900 yen, and the second one is free for foreign tourists. But the gardens close very early, Isuen at four o'clock, and in Yoshiken at half past four. We didn't have time. So we went to the station. On the way, we looked at the five-tiered pagoda of the Kofokuji Temple, said goodbye to the deer, and returned to Osaka. We can say that we have returned to the 21st century.

In ancient China, four animals were revered - the tiger, turtle, dragon and phoenix; in India, the cow is still considered sacred, but in Japan they are reverent about deer. In the city Nara, located south of Kyoto, there is a luxurious park where hundreds of these graceful animals live, but you can often see cute bambis on the city streets.

The city of Nara has many attractions. There are ancient ruins, temples, and it is famous for one of the oldest wooden buildings in the country and the largest known Buddha statue. From 710 to 784 Nara was the capital of Japan.

In total, about 1,200 deer live in Nara. According to local legends, a deity named Takemikazuchi arrived in this city riding a white deer, which was its protector. Since then, local residents have been revering deer for 13 centuries. Until 1637, killing an animal was punishable by death; from then until now, not a single similar crime has been recorded. Although deer lost their “sacred” status after World War II, they were recognized as a national treasure of Japan, so they are now protected by law.

Most deer live in the park, where they are fed by tourists, but some individuals are not averse to walking the streets; they may even enter a restaurant, look into the restroom, or steal a passerby’s wallet, mistaking it for food. Knowing that they will remain unpunished, deer are not at all afraid of people, and sometimes they actually “demand” that passersby approach the saltine cracker machines installed everywhere. Beggars may be pushed towards the machine and not allowed to pass until they are given a treat.

Despite the fact that deer serve as a real decoration for Nara, they also cause a lot of harm. The Kasugayama forest is endangered because these voracious animals eat tree bark and low-growing plants and destroy young shoots. Local authorities admit that the deer population in the city is becoming almost uncontrollable and is causing a lot of trouble for local residents and tourists, but no measures have been taken yet.

Nara is one of the most amazing cities in Japan. Once upon a time in the 6-7 centuries it was the first, long before Kyoto. There are a huge number of ancient temples and statues here. For example, in one of these temples there is a bronze statue of Buddha, which reaches almost 22 meters in height. Those tourists who want to learn more about the history of Japan itself try to visit Nara. Since Nara is actually a quiet and small town, it covers the entire history and traditions of Japan in the most detail. This is truly an inexhaustible hinterland of the entire history of Japan. At one time, Nara was the capital, and accordingly, the emperor and his entire family lived here. Consequently, not only the most significant moments of his reign are recorded here, but also facts that influenced the very course of history and development of Japan as a country.

When is the best time to visit Nara?

Nara's climate is quite moderate and gentle. The area of the city itself is 277 square kilometers. The location of the city is such that from north to south its length is 22 kilometers, and from east to west - 33. Therefore, the average maximum air temperature is 32 degrees in August and the minimum temperature is 0-5 degrees in January. The normal precipitation in mm is 212-215 in June and 40-49 in January. Therefore, if you prefer the warm season, like to bask in the sun and at the same time do not like the heat, choose the time for your trip in July - August. If you think winter landscapes are beautiful, but don’t like the cold, it’s best to go on a trip in December.

Trips planned for spring are the most romantic and favorable. At this time, cherry blossoms begin to bloom, and Naru is a single botanical garden with a huge abundance of flowering plants. Even in the air there is a delicate floral aroma.

Autumn is generally the most optimal time of year for travel. During this period, the summer heat is just subsiding, but the cold has not yet begun. Therefore, when planning a trip to Nara, you should first of all decide on the purpose of the visit - this will be the answer to the survey - what is the best time to choose for travel.

How to get to Nara without problems

The easiest and most convenient way to travel is, of course, by plane. However, there is no direct connection from Tokyo to Nara. Therefore, first you need to get to Kyoto or Osaka. Located in Osaka, Kansai International Airport cooperates with more than 65 airlines, and flights operate here every half hour. Therefore, depending on which country the plane departs from, you can get to Osaki using flights in just a few hours. You have to get there by bus and plane. Then, thanks to the Kinki-Nihon or Nankai railway line, you can get to Naru in just 30-40 minutes. You can also get from Osaka to Nara by comfortable buses. Traveling by bus will be cheaper than by train, but will take much longer. The journey will take about 5-6 hours. If you have the finances, then the best option is the train. If there is no need to rush and you have time to spare, use the bus.

Prices in Naru hotels and inns for tourists

Despite the fact that Naru is a small and quiet town, there are more than a dozen hotels and inns for foreign tourists. There are hotels here, both economy and elite classes. However, the service and comfort of hotels and inns, regardless of class, is at a high level. The cost of a night's stay in economy class hotels is about a thousand rubles. Hotels such as: Guesthouse Nara Komachi, The Deer Park Inn, Yuzan Guest House, Nara Ugaya Guesthouse are classified as one or two star. When choosing middle-class (three-star) hotels, you should expect room rates from 2-3 thousand rubles per day. Five-star and luxury hotels include NaraHotel. The price of a room per day is 5-6 thousand rubles. All this allows us to accommodate various tourists, providing them with comfort and service of a fairly high level.

Prices of shops and restaurants in Nara

Like any other city, Nara has a large number of shops and restaurants to suit every taste. The most popular restaurant is Edogawa. According to reviews from visitors to this restaurant, it ranks first in terms of service and food. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the quality of food preparation are at a high level. And the prices of this restaurant attract more and more visitors every year.

The Parco restaurant is also worthy of attention. Guests will be pleasantly surprised by the excellent traditional food of this restaurant and its value, while the friendly staff and quality of service will create a warm and cozy atmosphere in it.

Sights of Nara

The huge number of attractions in Nara is of great interest to tourists from all over the world. But we will focus on the most interesting of them. First of all, this is, of course, the Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha statue in it. The bronze statue of this temple is the oldest in Nara, having been erected more than 1,200 years ago. At first it was about 160 meters in height, but after restorations, its height is now slightly lower. It is interesting that in 1709, the Buddha statue was first installed, and only then the temple was built, which is one of the largest on Earth. Its area is 57 by 50 meters and its height is about 49 meters.

Also of interest to tourists will be the Isuen Garden, which is the pearl of the city of Naru. This garden is located near the Todaiji Temple and will be of interest to those who are interested in the art of Japanese gardening, as well as for those who just want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Languages and dialects in Nara

Since Nara City is one of the central cities in Japan, many languages are spoken here. The main one, of course, is Japanese. However, communication in the main restaurants and hotels in Naru city is also carried out in English. Here you can also meet those who speak French, but such people are very few. The main dialects are: Touhoku-ben, Hokkaido-ben, Umpaku, Okinawan and Tokyo. Due to the fact that in a fairly small town there are two languages and many dialects, this does not allow a language barrier to arise in the city of Naru. This leads to the fact that no matter what language a person expresses himself in, he can be easily understood.

Therefore, as we see, traveling to Japan is not a big problem or expense. And the impressions gained during numerous tours and excursions will not leave anyone indifferent. This is one more reason among many others for a pleasant holiday and an exciting trip. You just need to choose a travel company.

We will see the city of Nara, located in the very heart of the country and being the administrative center of the prefecture of the same name. Nara is known for its centuries-old history and ancient buildings. Today, about 400 thousand people live in the city.

Historical reference

In the period from 710 to 784, Nara was the capital of Japan and was called Heijō-kyō. During the Nara era in Japan, the city was a center of Buddhist culture, a haven for aristocrats and numerous samurai. In the 19th century Nara became one of the provincial towns, of which there are many throughout the state. In recent years, the city has again begun to develop rapidly thanks to tourism.

Climatic conditions

The climate of the city can be called moderate. The hottest month is August. The ambient temperature at this time reaches +32°C. The lowest temperatures (0-5°C) were recorded in January. Precipitation is rare.

Memorable places

The city of Nara in Japan contains many attractions. The most significant are:

Accommodation

In the Japanese city of Nara, more than fifty operate around the clock:

The five-star hotels Nara Hotel, Tsukihitei are in demand among wealthy tourists. Guests can expect luxurious accommodations, excellent restaurants, indoor pools, daily music events and much more;
four stars and corresponding accommodation conditions are offered by Hotel Nikko Nara, Wakasa Annex, Kasuga Hotel. They are located near the main cities and offer excellent service;
3 stars: Hotel New Wakasa, Hotel Nikko Nara, Hotel Fujita Nara. The living conditions are quite comfortable and allow you to save a decent amount.

Restaurants

There are a lot of public catering outlets in the city. There are budget cafes and expensive restaurants. Tourists love to dine at Maguro Koya, Nakatanido, Hiraso. Most often they order Somen - a cold dish of noodles, sushi, and fried tuna.

How to get there?

Many people are interested in how to get to the city of Nara in Japan. The city has a small airport that accepts domestic flights. International air harbors are located and. Upon arrival, you will have a two-hour drive to Nara.

Suburban trains and buses depart from neighboring Kyoto and Osaka. Be sure to bring a camera on your trip to take some photos of the city of Nara in Japan.

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Open the left menu. Nara, Japan Nara city Japan attractions