Nara

Now we've got those pesky deer out of the way, let's take at look at the rich cultural delights Nara has to offer.

Turtles basking in the sunshine

5 storey pagoda, part of Kofujin-ji, built 710AD

Kofujin shrine



Ukimi-do, a hexagonal gazebo on Sagi Pond


Note the large yellow dredger on the right.




Nandaimon Gate, which guards Todai-ji


I've become a bit blaise with temples n shrines of late, but Todai-ji hit the spot. It's the largest wooden building in the world (take that, Health & Safety officers) and was built around 728.
Check out the suspicious-looking businessmen swapping suitcases.


The giant gold-covered Buddah inside is 15m tall. Its eye alone is 1m across!


Twin guardians of the temple


Ahhh, terrifying. Rub a troublesome body part up against this guy and your ailment will be cured. I'll stick with the paracetomol.


The first signs of Spring!


Sorin. Used to be on top of a pagoda but now it's in the middle of the woods, just waiting for folk popstrel Florence + the Machine to come along and make music video around it.


Shin-Yakushi shrine, praising the Buddah of Medicine.


Should you choose to feed the demon deer of Nara park, you may purchase crackers here. They do warn you that you may not enjoy the experience.