Top Things to do in Nara
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Things to do in Nara, Kinki: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area.
Restaurants in Nara
1. Nara National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
I would say visiting this museum is equal to or more in significance than seeing Todaiji - the premier attraction in Nara. Todaji's got size and fame, but you're gonna see a wide variety of Buddhist treasures here. Magnificent statues, sculptures, reliefs, and whatnot pepper both buildings where you can spend quite a few hours viewing the exhibits and reading the excellent English descriptions most of them have. One special exhibition that I thought was fun was Buddhist art that involved images of animals. There were lots of informational signs here too in English with animal cartoon characters that I thought would be funny for the kids. I liked coming here a lot and am glad I didn't skip it. You shouldn't either.
2. Naramachi Koshino Ie
3. Nishinokyo District
4. Todaiji Keidaicho
5. Naramachi Townhouse of Traditional Lifestyle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
6. Todai-ji Temple Nandai Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
This massive Great South Gate to Todai-ji Temple inspired awe as soon as I saw it. Rising about 83 feet above the ground, it reigns supreme as the largest temple entrance in Japan. It takes 18 69-feet-high pillars to support this main gate, which features a double hip-and-gable roof. The structure has three entrances allowing passage into the temple grounds. A guardian deity, one with mouth open and the other with mouth closed, appears on each side of the entrances. At first I wondered why such an enormous structure was needed at this temple. But then I remembered that Todai-ji features the world's largest wooden building in the world on its grounds. That makes the gate a suitable entry for such a landmark. As usual in the Nara Park area, deer roam around and can become quite aggressive, looking for food from tourists.
7. Daibutsuden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Geeess - Rome, Italy
This is the iconic and best part of Nara!The Great Buddha Hall is the Main Hall (kondō) of Tōdai-ji. Built first in the Nara period it has been destroyed twice by fire in 1180 and again in 1567. The present structure, dating to the Edo period.The Daibutsu is properly known as Vairocana Buddha, the Buddha the light of whose knowledge and compassion is widely known On the lotus petals on the base of the Great Buddha are engravings of the World of the Lotus Treasury (Rengezō sekai), pictorial representations of the “world of enlightenment” described in the sutra. They are beautiful representations of the notion that each individual is not an isolated existence, but that all phenomena have limitless connections and dimensions and that the entire universe is enveloped in the light of Vairocana’s wisdom.
8. Suzakumon Gate
9. Gango-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 259 reviews
Reviewed By ggm96822 - Honolulu, United States
Diminished, apparently, from once major status, now a smaller somewhat neglected temple but it still has a very calm atmosphere, good proportions, and features a small museum on the grounds with an impressive miniature pagoda. Seems to be free of the bus tours that are disrupting the serenity of other Nara sites.
10. Heijokyu Ruins
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