Nara must-visit attractions, world cultural heritage, witnessing the changes of Nara in different eras, where the Great Buddha of Nara is also unbelievably huge~ Another interesting attraction is a large wooden pillar with the lower part scooped out, and children can crawl through it to pray for blessings.
Todai-ji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple located in Nara, Japan. It was built in the 8th century and is known for its Great Buddha Hall, which houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts many visitors from around the world. The Great Buddha Hall was reconstructed in the 17th century, and it is an impressive architectural feat. Inside the hall, visitors can see the massive Buddha statue, as well as other important Buddhist sculptures and artifacts. The temple complex also includes other buildings and gardens that are worth exploring.
The headquarters of Kasuga Shrine in Japan, the shrine is not very big, but it includes facilities such as Manyo Botanical Garden and Treasure Hall; it is a very charming shrine, with stone lanterns from various eras on both sides of the approach, creating a unique landscape. The presence of small deer adds to the lively atmosphere.
Todai-ji Temple is located in Gojō-chō, Nara City. Although it seems remote now, 1200 years ago it was in the center of Heijō-kyō, the capital of Nara. In 759 AD, the renowned Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen was granted this land and established Todai-ji Temple, meaning a place for practicing Buddhism near the Buddha. The temple's name implies that it was founded for the practice of Monk Jianzhen. Todai-ji Temple is also known as the "First Monastery of the Tang Dynasty" because Japanese Buddhism centered around the precepts of the Chinese Nanshan School, and it was the first temple following those precepts. Today, Todai-ji Temple is still honored as the head temple of the Japanese Ritsu School. The temple retains the architectural style of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, with a simple and majestic roof of the Main Hall and corridors with large pillars. The Main Hall is a central structure within Todai-ji Temple and is also featured in the novel by Takeo and In Illustrated Japan. After ten years of large-scale renovation, the Main Hall was officially reopened in 2010, marking the most significant restoration of the temple since the Middle Ages.
Yakushiji Temple, also known as Nishikyō-ji, is a major temple of the Hossō sect of Buddhism in Nara, Japan. Its history dates back to the reign of Emperor Tenmu in the 7th century when it was built to pray for the recovery of the Empress from an illness. The temple has undergone extensive restoration in recent years. The East Pagoda is one of the well-preserved ancient structures at Yakushiji, with its six-tiered height and elegant design known as the "symphony in movement." Yakushiji was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.
Former Imperial Palace, but now... Note that it's just the palace ruins, not the actual palace, so it's known as the Heisei site. Imagine an empty space left behind after the demolition of the Forbidden City. If you're only spending one day in Nara, it's better not to visit as the Kintetsu train will pass by it, and you can take a look from the train. If you enjoy visiting museums, you can go and have a look. There are some explanations and texts available.
