Japan trip - Nara (Kyoto's side trip)

As our one day JR West rail passes (bought to travel from airport to Kyoto) covered for the Kansai region (Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Kyoto), we began our first trip in Japan by visiting Nara - a nearby city which is just an hour train journey from Kyoto.

Outside of Kyoto JR station.

We bought a bento (take away) box meal to enjoy on the train. Isn't the packaging look gorgeous?

The tourist spots are quite a walking distance away from the JR station.

Many people gathered in front of this shop...



... to look at these two strong guys pounding (while shouting out with 'ar~~ ar~~' noise) to make the 'mochi' - Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice pounded into paste. It is a very popular dessert in Japan.

On the way up to Kofukuji complex...

Three-storey pagoda

Octagonal Halls (there are two)

This purification fountain is a common sight at temples or shrines. It is to purify ourselves by ritual washing hands (and mouth rinsing which we did not do), using the ladles provided before proceeding.

The five-storey pagoda and the Eastern Golden Hall

Entrance to the Nara Park.

This park is the home to hundreds of freely roaming tame deers. Their horns have been removed for safety reason.

Many tourists would feed the deer with the specially made deer biscuits.

This is my first time experience being that close to a deer. It was just laying there motionless but looking into your camera as if saying: "Okay, who's next?"

This particular one just couldn't stop rubbing its nose against rough surface.

Entrance gate to the Todaji Temple (Eastern Great Temple).

There are two 28 foot tall guardians at the entrance.

The surroundings were really beautiful.

The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den), is the world's largest wooden building.

Todaji Temple

Some performances in front of the temple.

Check out their costumes.

The Great Buddha - Virocana Buddha, is the chief object of Todaji Temple with the height of body being 14.98m. It is made from cast bronze which was then plated in gold.

This huge wooden column with a small hole at the bottom has become a highlight among the crowds. According to the popular belief if you can manage to crawl through this opening then you will be sure to reach enlightenment.

For your information we did not crawl through the hole. Didn't think it was a good idea to stuck in there!!

Busy street selling souvenirs, foods and etc.

The charcoal roasted sweet potatoes. It was really sweet and nice, the best part was holding them warm in our hands!



The famous tako (octopus) balls




Sorry to say that but they weren't taste great....