Showing 1-15 of 15 results
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Gangō-ji
Naramachi is home to Gangō-ji, a small temple that is listed as one of Nara's Unesco World Heritage sites. Despite its World Heritage listing, it's not particularly interesting and probably only merits a quick glance from outside.
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Imanishike Shoin
Imanishike Shoin is a lovely old house dating to the Muromachi period and is built in the shoin , or library, style. There are a few small gardens here that are well framed by the house itself. Tea is served here. If you are a fan of sake, stop in next door at the Imanishi Seibei Shōten, an old sake merchant where you can sample five kinds of sake at a reasonable price.
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Isui-en
The Isui-en garden, dating from the Meiji era, is beautifully laid out and features abundant greenery and a pond filled with ornamental carp. It's without a doubt the best garden in the city and well worth a visit. You can enjoy a cup of tea on tatami mats overlooking the garden or you can have lunch in the nearby Sanshū restaurant, which also shares the view.
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Kasuga Taisha Hōmotsu-den
The Hōmotsu-den (Treasure Hall) is just north of the entrance torii for the Kasuga Taisha shrine. The hall displays Shintō ceremonial regalia and equipment used in bugaku, and gagaku performances.
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine
The Kasuga Taisha shrine was founded in the 8th century by the Fujiwara family and was completely rebuilt every 20 years according to Shintō tradition until the end of the 19th century. It lies at the foot of the hill in a pleasant, wooded setting with herds of sacred deer awaiting handouts.
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Kōfuku-ji National Treasure Hall
The Kōfuku-ji National Treasure Hall contains a variety of statues and art objects salvaged from previous structures.
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Nara City Museum of Photography
Around the corner from Shin-Yakushi-ji, the small Nara City Museum of Photography is worth a visit if you are in the area or interested in a particular exhibit (there is no permanent collection). Ask at any of the tourist offices before making the trek. See Shin-Yakushi-ji for directions.
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Nara National Museum
The Nara National Museum is devoted to Buddhist art and is divided into two wings. The western gallery has a fine collection of butsu-zō (statues of the Buddha), while the new eastern gallery displays sculptures, paintings and calligraphy.
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Naramachi Koushi-no-Ie
Naramachi Koushi-no-Ie is a traditional Japanese house which, unfortunately, has been a little too thoroughly restored.
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Naramachi Monogatari-kan
While you're in the neighbourhood, check out the Naramachi Monogatari-kan, an interesting little gallery that holds some worthwhile exhibitions.
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Naramachi Shiryō-kan Museum
Highlights of Naramachi include the Naramachi Shiryō-kan Museum, which has a decent collection of bric-a-brac from the area, including a display of old Japanese coins and bills.
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Sangatsu-dō
A short walk south of Nigatsu-dō is Sangatsu-dō, which is the oldest building in the Tōdai-ji complex. This hall contains a small collection of fine statues from the Nara period.
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Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple
The Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple was founded by Empress Kōmyō in 747 in thanks for her husband's recovery from an eye disease. Most of the buildings were destroyed or have been reconstructed, but the present main hall dates from the 8th century. The hall contains sculptures of Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha) and a set of 12 divine generals. Unfortunately, last time we were there was a television playing a very loud programme about the temple in the main hall.
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Tōdai-ji Daibutsu-den
Tōdai-ji Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden building in the world. Unbelievably the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds of the size of the original! The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) contained within is one of the largest bronze figures in the world and was originally cast in 746. The present statue, recast in the Edo period, stands just over 16m high and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold.
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Tōdai-ji Temple
The Tōdai-ji Temple, with its vast Daibutsu-den Hall and enormous bronze Buddha image, is Nara's star attraction. For this reason, it is often packed with groups of school children being herded around by microphone-wielding tour guides. Nonetheless, it is an awe-inspiring sight and should be high on any sightseeing itinerary.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
