Nara is the capital of Nara-ken (or prefecture) and came to fame as the first permanent capital of Japan. Established in 710 it was known as Nara-heijokyo for only eighty years when power moved to Kyoto. Today the city mainly exists as the Kansai region's second most popular tourist attraction ... Read review
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Advantages: You can see pretty much everything you want to see in a day Disadvantages: There is no real nightlife, but then again that's not what you go to Nara for.
Nara is the capital of Nara-ken (or prefecture) and came to fame as the first permanent capital of Japan. Established in 710 it was known as Nara-heijokyo for only eighty years when power moved to Kyoto. Today the city mainly exists as the Kansai region's second most popular tourist attraction as it contains a various World Heritage Sites, National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets. On our trip we chose to take a whole day in order to see as ... ...the Kintetsu line to Kintetsu Nara Station which took approximately 45 minutes and cost 610 Yen. (Sometimes this will involve a change, but on our trip this was not necessary - more direct trains take 35 minutes, but cost 1,100 Yen). It is also possible to get to Nara via JR train, but are not as regular.
TOURIST INFORMATION
This is located between the JR station and Kintetsu station, and might be useful in picking up more comprehensive ... more
Nara is the capital of Nara-ken (or prefecture) and came to fame as the first permanent capital of Japan. Established in 710 it was known as Nara-heijokyo for only eighty years when power moved to Kyoto. Today the city mainly exists as the Kansai region's second most popular tourist attraction as it contains a various World Heritage Sites, National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets. On our trip we chose to take a whole day in order to see as many of Nara's attractions as possible - a half day would be suitable to see a selection.
GETTING THERE The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport in Osaka, and is probably best if you are only intending on visiting the Kansai region. If you are arriving in Tokyo, you will need to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Hikari and change to the Kintetsu line to get to Nara. The whole journey will take you just over three hours.
Shinkansen is an expensive way to travel, but is spacious and comfortable. Unreserved tickets are cheaper, with reserved tickets restricting you to a particular car and seat (the car position is marked on both the car and platform), which along with your start and end time are helpfully marked on your ticket. As it also affords some wonderful views of Japan's lush and varying countryside, including a great view of Mount Fuji, I would most definitely recommend a trip on Shinkansen as part of any visit to Japan.
As Kyoto does provide the perfect base for exploring the Kansai region, we took the Kintetsu line to Kintetsu Nara Station which took approximately 45 minutes and cost 610 Yen. (Sometimes this will involve a change, but on our trip this was not necessary - more direct trains take 35 minutes, but cost 1,100 Yen). It is also possible to get to Nara via JR train, but are not as regular.
TOURIST INFORMATION This is located between the JR station and Kintetsu station, and might be useful in picking up more comprehensive maps than guide books may offer.
GETTING AROUND The best way to get around Nara is on foot, so make sure that you choose a nice day and wear a very comfortable pair of shoes!
ATTRACTIONS
- Nara-koen When exiting the station the best idea is to head straight towards Nara-koen which is the park that encloses the temples and shrines Nara has to offer. The first thing you may be aware of is that a large number of deer are wandering, and often trying to hassle people for food. Approximately 1,200 deer are enjoy the status of National Treasures, and as such are protected. In pre-Buddhist times the deer were thought to act as messengers of the gods. It is possible to buy biscuits specially made for the deer called shika-sembeii - literally 'special biscuits, but personally I'm not sure whether I would want to encourage them as they are already pretty demanding. -Nara National Museum (420 Yen) We chose to get on and see the temples, but this museum is said to house a wide range of Buddhist art. We thought that seeing Buddhist art in its proper home would be more impressive and meaningful.
-Kofuku-ji (500 Yen to visit the Kokuho-kan or National Treasure Hall) Unfortunately we didn't realise at the time that this temple now houses a variety of statues and art objects, so walked passed taking in the brilliant architecture of the temple itself and the two nearby pagodas; one three storey pagoda and a second five storey pagoda. The second of which is the second tallest in Japan by a matter of centimetres. (The tallest is Kyoto's To-ji). This is pretty much all that remains of the original complex which was built in 710 originally had 175 buildings.
-TODAI-JI This is the temple area that contains the great image of the Daibutsu Buddha, and is probably the attraction that you will most want to see in Nara. Walking towards the main hall you can't help but notice Nandai-mon which is an enourmous gateway. On the inside of the gate two ferocious Nio guardians stare out. These are truly spectacular. The wood carved figures are beautifully crafted and appear more mysterious through the layers of dust that have accumulated and now highlight the crevices and curves of their bodies.
-Daibutsu-den (400 Yen) The wooden hall may only be two thirds of its original size, but it is the largest wooden building in the world. It houses one of the largest and most impressive bronze Buddha's in the world; and is an image of the Dainichi Buddha (cosmic Buddha) who created everything. It was first cast in 746, but due to various earthquakes and fires, has been recast - meaning that if you look carefully you might be able to see a slight difference in colour between the head and the body. I have to admit that I didn't notice this as I was too busy looking taking in the four impressive images that flank the Buddha on both sides.
Most images of the Buddhas that we saw are built against the temple wall, but here you are able to take in the detail on the Buddha's back. In doing so, you'll come across a hole in a pillar. It is the same size as the Buddha's nostril and it is said that if you make it through the hole that you will achieve enlightenment. Apparently this means that both my friend and I are enlightened - although I think it's more to do with our skills in wriggling and the fact that both of us are relatively slim! A tip for anyone trying is that you should put your arms above your head as you go through and pull on the edge of the hole. You're not going to be dignified, but you've more chance of getting through!
At the exit there is also a small fortune telling booth where you shake a box and remove a stick. You'll then be given a piece of paper with your fortune on it that corresponds to the number on the stick. Slightly disturbingly the man refused to take my first attempt and made me shake again...
-Shoso-in Treasure Repository This just looks like a log wooden cabin, but was used to house the imperial treasures as the wooden structure allows precise regulation of humidity through the natural expansion and contraction of the wooden beams. There is little to see bar the building itself as the treasures are now only shown twice a year in spring and autumn.
-Nigatso-do Hall A rigorous walk up stone steps takes you to Nigatso-do which is certainly attractive, but is more impressive for the spectacular views across Nara. It’s the perfect place to take in the magnitude of Dabutsu-den and the height of Kofuku-ji's five-storey pagoda.
-Hokke-do or Sangatsu-do Hall (400 Yen) This most impressive element of this sight is the Fukukensaku-kannon-bosatsu which is a multi-armed image covered in flaking gold leaf. Standing on a lotus with arms in a variety of meditative stances; whilst holding another lotus and prayer beads, the image is strangely peaceful when you consider the cluttered dais it stands upon. Eleven other images, ranging from the ferocious to the benevolent vie for space. Although this could make it a frustrating visit, instead as you slowly walk along the raised platform you seem to discover something more. One image is missing though. The secret image of the colourfully robed Shukongo-ji can only be viewed by the public on the 16th of December, and is said to protect the people from the enemies of Buddha by its angry expression.
-Tea house On the walk up to Kasuga Taishi is a small tea house. Being quite tired after our walking we took refreshment in the air conditioned building. Unfortunately the tea is expensive, but it least took us out of the strong sunlight for a little while.
-Kasuga Taishi (500 Yen) Hundreds of lanterns line the walk up to Kasuga Taishi which are simultaneously lit twice a year. Typically, one of the days (14-15 August - the others are 2-4 February) was the day after our visit! Various types of dance are also practiced on these dates, but no images are displayed. Instead, it is the peaceful attitude of the grounds that make it worth wandering around. At first when entering one of the small buildings I was momentarily duped, thinking that monks must be chanting on the other side of the wall. It was actually a small CD player that pumped out meditative chants. It appears even Buddhist temples in ancient cities are moving with the times.
-Sagi-ike pond After all this 'templing', wandering round some beautiful grounds is a welcome break. The grounds around Sagi-ike pond are beautiful and the small structure on the bridge is a shady place to put your feet up looking out towards the mountain or across the lake. If you take a pleasant stroll down round the edge of the lake you can also sit in the sun on a large, smooth piece of marble that looks like the base of a tree.
JAPANESE FOOD [Apologies - I have used similar sections on Kyoto and Osaka and Kamakura] Sushi, tako-yaki (battered balls containing octopus), okonomi-yaki (a fried batter with seafood, vegetables and a special sauce that varies from region to region), tempura, gyosa (dumplings filled with meat) - the list of great food goes on. The only thing that I would avoid is Oden which is a variety of fried food. The main problem with it is that it is often reconstituted fish which I found soggy and tasteless, even if it is cheap.
Once you have entered the Nara-koen you'll find it hard to find anywhere to have something to eat. The only place we found was near Daibutsu-den hall, and served over-priced Oden amongst other things. I would suggest visiting a convenience store, such as Lawson's or Seven Eleven, in the shopping centre near the Kintetsu station. One of my particular favourites are triangles of rice wrapped in seaweed with fillings such as tuna (generally the blue label one!) Although you should be award that eating food on the street is frowned on a little.
After all your sightseeing you should have a wander near to the Kintetsu station where you should be able to find a range of good places for dinner that offer a range of different styles of cuisine, generally at reasonable prices.
Different flavours of ice cream such as sweet potato and green tea are a refreshing change, along with a snack that contains similarities with slush puppies - ice flakes that have flavoured syrup poured over them.
Vending machines are found everywhere, including inside temple areas and have a variety of drinks you won't find easily in the United Kingdom, such as Melon or Grape soda (although I've since heard that it is possible to get these in Chinese speciality shops). There are also vending machines selling hot tea and coffee in cans.
MONEY IN NARA There is one International ATM in the shopping centre, but as you will be spending most of your day a fair distance from here, I would suggest you take enough currency for the entire day.
JAPANESE PEOPLE Provided you nod (a greeting and sign of respect in Japan) to everyone, the people are infinitely helpful. There is a great urge to understand that can bridge the language gap. Although I would suggest that you take a good phrase book with the phrases written in the Japanese script as well as written phonetically in English, these basic words might be quite useful:
Arigato gozaimasu - formal thank you Domo - informal thank you, excuse me Dozo - please Sumimasen - excuse me Sugoi - great Egoi - English Hai - yes
As well as being very forgiving of the English not knowing their language, I found the Japanese to be incredibly helpful and friendly often volunteering help if they think you are having problems - although you should expect to be laughed at a little or questioned about England. The laughter tends to disguise their shyness but is preferable to being scowled at as I think the English are particularly prone to do. It really is incredibly surprising how a little good will and a genuine interest in communicating can really bridge the language gap! _______________________________________________________
This trip was taken in August 2004. At this time of year Japan is very hot with Kamakura being particularly humid. If you have fair skin it is essential that you use suntan lotion even when it is overcast. (That's the one time I got burnt!)
Advantages: breathtaking views and sights Disadvantages: very expensive and racist attitudes
nation. The scenery is also stunning, Kyoto and Nara being amongst my favourite places. Kyoto is full of zen gardens, temples, wonderfully ornate bridges over stunning garden rivers, etc. Nara has the most peaceful deer park where the almost domestic animals will come and eat out of your hand.
If you plan to make the journey to one of these smaller, scenic areas then try and go on a day where there is a festival as this is a sight well worth seeing. Ellaborate costumes abound with drums and dancing and it is not like anything else you will ever see.
Generally, the food is excellent if you find out before hand what it is and avoid the more stranger food. Kobe beef is the most tender meat that I have ever tasted and although it is an absoloutly stupidly high price you should try it - you won't regret it!
The main drawback is the price ...
kxa97 10.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Japan
Advantages: Location Disadvantages: Slightly higher air ticket costs
Kansai is the name for the Western region of Japan encompassing the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and the surrounding countryside.
For the first-time Japan-bound traveller, the journey is more than likely to involve flying in to Tokyo's Narita airport and then using Tokyo as a base to see the rest of the country. However, for those determined to really get a feel for aprticular country, this is probably not the way to do it.
A more practical idea would be to fly into the Kansai International Airport and then base yourself in Kyoto. Another reviewer has made an excellent summary of what should be seen in this beautiful city but, to do it justice, at least 4-5 days could be spent here taking in the various sights, sampling the food and learning about the traditions that still remain from when Kyoto was the capital city hundreds ...
Advantages: weird, not you everyday stuff Disadvantages: expensive, foreigner unfriendly and smelly
I have to say that in general I was very disappointed with Japan. I met my wife while she was living there for two years in the second biggest city, Osaka. Though nearby Kyoto and Nara are kind of nice for a day trip to see some nice country side; once you've seen one temple/zen garden/carnival.....you have really seen enough.
In the city itself, it is definitely not clean and beautiful. Taxi drivers wee in the street, the drains stink to high heaven and they don't believe in the need for deodorants (seriously).
Going out is expensive, though there are a few young-type bars that you can go to and get a beer for about two and a half quid and that's about the cheapest. Food is also really expensive though there is a chain called Caprichosa (can't remember the spelling) that sell great bowels of pasta for a reasonable price.
If you ...
