On a visit to Kansai, make sure to take a day trip to Nara. Here you can feed hundreds of deers and visit any of the 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in this city. Once the capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara has 8 spots that are World Heritage sites including 5 Buddhist temples, 1 Shinto Shrine, 1 palace & and a forest. A must see is the Todai-ji Temple founded in 728.
TODAI-JI TEMPLE
Known as the “Great Eastern Temple” the Todai-ji is one of the country’s historically significant and famous temple. The Daibutsuden or the Great Buddha Hall was the world’s largest wooden structure until 1998 (surpassed by a Japanese stadium) The current structure was built in 1709 after several fires and is just 2/3 of its original size.
Before reaching the main temple complex, if coming from the main road, you’ll pass by the Nandaimon or Great Southern Gate. The current gate was built during the Kamakura period and is 21 meters (68 ft) tall. The Nandaimon gate completed in 1203 is also the largest temple entrance gate in Japan. Notice the two 8 meter tall “Ni-o” or Two Kings are guardian figures on either end of the gate. They are also National treasures. One statue with an open mouth represents “the beginning” or birth while the other with a closed mouth represents death or “the end”.
Restrooms are on the left side before reaching the Nandaimon Gate. It is also the parking spot for tour buses. After the Nandaimon, the Todaiji Museum is on the left side before reaching the Daibutsuden.
The main entrance of the Great Buddha Hall is on the left side. Note that you’ll be exiting from a different gate.
There is a large octagonal bronze lantern in front of the main hall. It dates back from the temple’s founding during the Nara period and is one of the temple’s oldest treasures.
Inside the Great Hall, the Todai-ji Daibutsu is a seated Buddha that represents Vairocana Buddha. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is Japan’s largest Buddha at 15 meters tall and was cast from 400 tons of bronze. The second largest in Japan is the the the Great Buddha of Kamakura at 11.4 meters tall.
The Buddha is so large that it is said that its open hand is as tall as a person. This is also the world’s largest bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha also known as “the great illuminating one” and “all encompassing Buddha”. There are two Bodhisattvas on either side of the Daibutsu. The statue on its left is the Kokuzo Bosatsu who is an enlightened being was added in 1709.
There is a hole in one of the pillars in the right back side of the temple that many visitors try to squeeze in. It is said to be the same size as the Daibutsu’s nostril. It is believed that those that can pass through the hole would be given enlightenment in the the next life.
There is a gift shop on the right side before exiting the main temple hall where you can purchase amulets or souvenirs.
Website : www.todaji.or.jp/english
Entrance Fee Y600 (adult)
Hours of Operation 8:00 AM -5:00 PM (November to March ) / 7:30 AM -5:30 PM (April to October)
Nearest Train Station: Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station
All around Nara you can find thousands of deers freely roaming around. You can interact and feed deers on the way to the Todai-ji temple. It’s a good spot to do so as you won’t need to make as many stops while on your visit to Nara. You can walk from either train stations to the Todaiji Temple, you’ll encounter deers along the way. The easiest way to get to temple is to take the city bus to Todaiji. You’ll just need to cross the road to the path to the Todai-ji.
According to folklore, the deers are considered sacred and as divine messengers of the Kasuga Grand Shrine. But after the war, the deers were designated as national treasures and are now protected. There are as much as 1000 deers all around Nara.
From the main road, as you reach the entry to Todaiji and Nara Park there are several gift shops on the left that sell souvenirs and deer snacks. You can purchase a stack of Shika Sendei or deer rice crackers from small stalls around Nara for Y150.
Here are some tips when interacting with the deers:
- Bring a plastic bag or pouch to put the deer snacks as they are only tied with paper and deer can become aggressive when they see a lot of them in your hand. I would avoid the white plastic shopping bags too that are noisier compared to the other kinds like the resealable ones. The deers will actively bother you when they hear the bag knowing it will likely have food. Note to also secure any other food you may have in your bag.
- Avoid feeding the deers when there are plenty of them around you unless you like being swarmed by them. On my first visit, I was surrounded by approximately 20 deers that i finished the stack of crackers in just a few minutes.
- Wear clothes and use a bag you don’t mind getting licked by the deer. There are instances where they might push you with their noses or try to gnaw your bag or your clothes to get to the crackers.
- I would find a doe or baby deer or a deer that is alone to feed, you’ll likely have a more enjoyable encounter with them. Does are often shy and won’t be aggressive. Avoid bucks or adult male deers as they are usually more aggressive.
- The deers are so used to people that they aren’t afraid. The deers won’t bother you if you show your empty hands.
- The deers are trained to bow. Lift deer snack above the deer, the deer should bow then you can give them the treat.
- Make sure to read the reminders posted around Nara about the deers. There have been instances where visitors have been injured and bitten by the deers. So it’s best to keep the reminders in mind to be on the safe side.
FROM KINTETSU (NARA LINE) (A28) take EXIT 8
BUS DIRECTIONS: FROM BUS STOP #1 (AT THE N. SIDE OF THE ROAD ACROSS THE STATION BLDG) , TAKE CLOCKWISE # 2 TO TODAIJI TEMPLE (Daibutsuden Kasuga-Taisha Mae Stop) ( Y210 (ADULT) Y110 (CHILD))
WALKING DIRECTIONS: 1.6 KM (20-25 min walk): take exit 1 walk straight on the main road walking away from the train station and turn left towards Todaiji when you reach a park on the left side of the street.
IF TAXI (1.3 KM) : approx. Y750 (Y660 FIRST 1.5 KM +90/307M)
FROM JR NARA STATION :
BUS DIRECTIONS: FROM BUS STOP #2 , TAKE CLOCKWISE # 2 or from Bus stop # 5 take Anti-Clockwise #1 TO TODAIJI TEMPLE (Daibutsuden Kasuga-Taisha Mae Stop)
(the bus terminal is at the main road as you go down on the escalator from the east exit. There is a supermarket on the side and the Nara Tourist Office beside the bus terminal) ( Y210 (ADULT) Y110 (CHILD))
Walking Directions : 2.5 KM (30-40 min)
From JR Nara Station, cross main road. Head up the Sanjo-Dori main Road turn left when you see the pagoda of the Kofuku-ji. Walk straight until Omiya –Dori. You’ll see deers by now. Turn right on Omiya Dori and walk straight. You'll pass the Nara National Museum on your right. There is also a portion you’ll walk in the underground overpass. Turn left on the street after the National Museum. There will be stores and deers here too. Walk straight passing the stores on your left to Nandai-mon Gate. Go straight until you reach the Toda-ji Temple. Note that the first km of the walk is uphill.
If you’ll be visiting more spots in Nara, you can purchase a Nara Bus Pass to save on bus rides :(Y500 1 Day Pass covers the popular areas; Y1000 1 Day Pass Wide covers a wider area and reaches up to Horyuji temple; there is also a 2 day pass Y1500)
RETURN TO TRAIN STATION:
To Head back to TRAIN STATION (Bus stop is across the street from the entrance of Today Temple: take Bus #1 or taxi to JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station)
WEBSITE: NARA