Nara Gate and Deer
Deer Biscuits
Friendly Deer
Fortune Sticks
Todai-ji Temple
Kasuga Shrine boasts thousands of stone lanterns.
The highlight of our trip to Japan was a day spent in Nara. A thirty minute train ride from Kyoto, this peaceful enclave was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. Exiting the train station, we followed signs which took us on a pleasant loop past many of the city’s major sights and then deposited us back at the station four hours or so later.
One doesn’t have to walk far before running into the hundreds of feral deer, which roam freely throughout the town. There are kiosks at regular intervals where, for approximately US$1.50, one may purchase a package of biscuits to feed the deer, which approach people in anticipation of a snack.
While the deer make the first impression in Nara, the town’s tranquil setting and lovely ancient temples are what linger long after one has left. The ancient monuments of Nara were named World Heritage Sights by UNESCO in 1998. Some of the most famous – and spectacular – include Kohfuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Grand Shrine. The approach to the structures through a park and forest add to their beauty and make for a pleasant walk.
While we did not find Japan to be the most small child-friendly of our recent destinations (defined by a lack of playgrounds and cities that are best seen by walking, walking, and more walking), Nara was an exception. Our four-year-old daughter enjoyed feeding the deer, and Todai-ji Temple offered one of her more lively moments when she noticed a line of people waiting to squeeze their way through one of the wooden pillars behind the large seated Buddha.
Elisa observed several school children – and then adults – hold their breath as they negotiated the narrow passage through a large column, before asking if she could give it a try. She patiently waited in line and easily slipped through. After she had successfully repeated her small adventure three or four times, a gentleman explained to me that if one passes through the small hole, he or she becomes wiser. We watched adults giving it a try and noticed that success depended on stretching out their arms over their head, as if in a dive, before passing through.
I tried not to be offended, when, upon casually mentioning I might give it a try, a look of horror crossed my small daughter’s face as she exclaimed, “Mommy! You’ll never make it! It’s too small! You’re too big! You’ll get stuck! DON’T TRY!” I decided to go with her new found wisdom.
The older I get, the more I seem to enjoy the more tranquil spots when travelling. Although we were in Nara just a day, it was a moment of serenity and peace we appreciated.
Will She make it?
Elisa gives it a try