1300th Annivaersary of Nara

Yesterday we traveled together by train to Nara. After meeting at Haibara Station (which included a run into Mr. Donut for several kids), we boarded a train toward Osaka - 2 transfers & 90 minutes later - we debarked in the middle of Nara City. The trip involved moving through both urban and rural landscape & it was a good opportunity to 'see' Japan.

Nara was the first unified capitol of Japan and is celebrating it's 1300th anniversary all this year. There are 8 recognized "World Heritage Site' within the borders of Nara City. Upon arrival, we briefly toured a Museum to get a larger sense of the city. The main Temple in the city is home to Japan's largest Buddha statue. At the museum, they had a replica of the Buddha's hand that we all took turns sitting in & then took a group photo:-)

Afterward, we went downstairs to the street level where we were able to do a little shopping. One of the things Nara is know for is that it is home to many domesticated deer. They freely roam the city parks & you can walk right up and feed them. The marketing mascot - in celebration of this years anniversary - is a young Buddha with deer antlers. He is very cute (but it is hard to imagine a similar Christ figure). While shopping, this antlered Buddha was available on T-shirts, keychains, as a stuffed plush toy, etc. Get ready - you might get one as a gift :-)

After shopping for 45 minutes or so, we walked to the center of town to the Temple. We were able to snap a few group photos & then went inside. The main entry is a long walk up to the main gate which is about 700 years old and massive. Beyond the gate, is a walled internal compound that surrounds the main temple. It is hard to do justice to the majesty of this building - I'll let photos supply my 1000 words. But, it was hard to keep our group moving - as they wanted to stop and collect photos from the outside.

The temple building actually burned down in the 1600's and was rebuild. At it's current huge-ness, it is now only 2/3 it's original size! After cleansing our hands, visitors can light incense at the entrance and then go in. The Buddha sits calmly - but dominates in the middle of the Temple Space. His head almost touches the ceiling 4 or 5 stories above. Visitors enter and then travel to the right, around - behind - and then back out the same entrance area. There are also other statues inside.

In addition, one of the massive supporting timbers in the back of the temple has a hole cut into it at the base. Visitors form a long line - waiting for an opportunity to crawl through the narrow opening. Doing so brings good luck. Several students waited line :-)

We were able to tour a few other building and then need to return to the train station. Students then went home for evening meals. It was a fun day. Students enjoyed seeing Nara but also seeing each other. The seem to be having a good time :-)

Today is a family day. I am going out to lunch and then shopping with another family. Other students have other plans. Tomorrow is our last day here in Haibara with a Goodbye Party at the end of the day. Then we go for a tour of Osaka and an overnight before we return home.

I'll try to post photos later :-)