Nara - a deer little city

Nara

No, I haven't failed on my spelling, Nara really is all about the deer. There are around 1,200 deer roaming freely about the city - usually keeping to the parks and temples rather than the main town area, but they have been known to stray sometimes. Believed in Shinto to be messengers of the Gods, they are protected and have been designated a national treasure.

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They are rather cute, though you do have to watch out for some of them. People feed them, so some can be quite determined in demanding food, and some will steal anything that they think might be edible.

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We noticed a number of people having their maps snatched from out of their hands and being eaten. Not sure how tasty they are, but they were soon polished off.

Most though are quite docile and friendly. They sell special deer biscuits in the parks, which are rather better for them than maps, and many of the deer will happily take these from your hand.

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It is quite amusing to watch the deer around the sellers. They clearly know that they aren't supposed to try to get biscuits from the seller, but sometimes can't seem to help themselves. the vendors look pretty grumpy when they persist, but we did see a couple cave and give them the broken ones.

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If you don't want to be followed and pestered, keep the biscuits out of sight in your pocket or bag, and just take them out one at a time to give out.

Some of the deer have even learned the art of politeness from their Japanese neighbours, and will bow their heads to you as a request for a biscuit. How could you possibly say no to that?

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Kofukuji Temple, Nara

Of course Nara isn't just about the deer. Nara, then called Heijo, was the first capital city of Japan, way back in 710. That didn't last too long though as the government feared a threat from the powerful Buddhist monasteries based here, and moved the capital away in 784. But whilst it may have lost its political importance, it was still an important religious area, and it has the temples to show for it.

Kofukuji Temple, Nara

Close to where we were staying, was the Kofukuji Temple, with a rather fabulous 50m tall pagoda, the second largest in Japan. It was first built in 730, but like some many places in this country of earthquakes, it was rebuilt in 1426.

There is some construction work underway here, as they are in the process of rebuilding the long lost Golden Central Hall, (due to be finished in 2018,) not to be confused with the smaller Golden Eastern Hall that is still standing. We didn't go into it, but apparently, if you an pull yourselves away from the deer, the National Treasure Museum has some impressive Buddhist pieces.

Kofukuji Temple, Nara

The surrounding parks are well worth a wander around as you find your way to some of the other sites. We will visit the Todaijo Temple and the Kasuga Shrine in the news posts, but there are also the impressive Nandaimon Gate, the National Museum, and a few gardens to see if you want to.

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Nandaimon Gate, Nara

Nandaimon Gate, Nara

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