Sights in Nara
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Daibutsu-den
Tōdai-ji’s Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden building in the world. Unbelievably, the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds 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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Hōryū-ji
Hōryū-ji was founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku, considered by many to be the patron saint of Japanese Buddhism. Hōryū-ji is a veritable shrine to Shōtoku and is renowned not only as the oldest temple in Japan, but also as a repository for some of the country’s rarest treasures. Several of the temple’s wooden buildings have survived earthquakes and fires to become the oldest of their kind in the world. The layout of the temple is divided into two parts, Sai-in (West Temple) and Tō-in (East Temple). The entrance ticket allows admission to Sai-in, Tō-in and the Great Treasure Hall. A detailed map is provided and a guidebook is available in English and several other…
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Kōfuku-Ji
Walking to or from Nara-kōen, you can’t miss the soaring main pagoda of Kōfuku-ji, which was transferred here from Kyoto in 710 as the main temple for the Fujiwara family. Although the original temple complex had 175 buildings, fires and destruction through power struggles have left only a dozen still standing. There are actually two pagodas, a three-storey one dating from 1143 and a five-storey pagoda dating from 1426. The taller of the two pagodas is the second tallest in Japan, outclassed by the one at Kyoto’s Tō-ji by only a few centimetres. In the grounds of the temple, Kōfuku-ji National Treasure Hall (Kokuhō-kan; admission ¥500; 9am-4.30pm) contains a varie…
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Nara National Museum
Just east of Kōfuku-ji, you’ll find the Nara National Museum, which is divided into two main galleries linked by an underground passage. The western gallery exhibits archaeological finds and the eastern gallery has displays of sculptures, paintings and calligraphy. A special exhibition is held in May and the contents of the Shōsō-in hall, which holds the treasures of Tōdai-ji, are displayed here from around 21 October to 8 November (call the tourist centre to check as these dates vary slightly each year). The exhibits include priceless items from the cultures along the Silk Road. Note that entry to special exhibits costs an additional fee, usually around ¥800.
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Tōshōdai-ji
Tōshōdai-ji was established in 759 by the Chinese priest Ganjin (Jian Zhen), who had been recruited by Emperor Shōmu to reform Buddhism in Japan. Ganjin didn’t have much luck with his travel arrangements from China to Japan: five attempts were thwarted by shipwreck, storms and bureaucracy. Despite being blinded by eye disease, he finally made it on the sixth attempt and spread his teachings to Japan. The lacquer sculpture in the Miei-dō hall is a moving tribute to Ganjin: blind and rock steady. It is shown only once a year on 6 June – the anniversary of Ganjin’s death.
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Yakushi-ji
Yakushi-ji was established by Emperor Tenmu in 680. With the exception of the east pagoda, which dates to 730, the present buildings either date from the 13th century or are very recent reconstructions. The main hall was rebuilt in 1976 and houses several images, including the famous Yakushi Triad (the Buddha Yakushi flanked by the Bodhisattvas of the sun and moon), dating from the 8th century. Behind the east pagoda is the Tōin-dō (East Hall), which houses the famous Shō-Kannon image, dating from the 7th century.
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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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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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Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha is Nara’s most important shrine. It 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 hand-outs.
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Isui-en
Nara’s most splendid garden, Isui-en, is a short walk north of Tōdai-ji. The garden dates from the Meiji era and is beautifully laid out with abundant greenery and a pond filled with ornamental carp. It’s without a doubt the best garden in the city and is well worth a visit.
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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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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, nō and gagaku performances.
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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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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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Tōdai-Ji
Nara’s main attraction – and a must-see for any visitor to the city – is Tōdai-ji, a huge temple complex on the north side of Nara-kōen.
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Naramachi Monogatari-kan
Also in Naramachi is the interesting Naramachi Monogatari-kan, a small art gallery with changing displays built inside a fine old machiya.
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Naramachi Koushi-no-Ie
A good place to check out a machiya is the Naramachi Koushi-no-Ie.
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