Treasure Temple, Kofukuji

Kofukuji temple is in Nara area, 5 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara station, and 10 minutes walk from JR Nara station.  In this temple, surprisingly, there are more than 100 National treasures and important cultural properties.

First, let's walk to Sarusawa-pond, the back side of the temple.  It is said that the reflection of the five storied pagoda on the pond is the one of the most beautiful scenery. 

Walking around Sarusawa pond, and going up a staircase of 52 steps to the temple. The number 52 shows the levels of ascetic practices in Buddhism.



The five storied pagoda in Kofukuji-temple is 50 meter high, which is second tallest in Japan. This is also a national treasure. 

With the establishment of the capital at Nara in 710, the temple was moved to its present location in a central block of the city. The temple grew rapidly in size and wealth under the patronage of successive emperors and empresses, and members of the powerful Fujiwara clan.  Even though the buildings are burned in fires and reconstructed some times, Kofukuji Temple has 1300 year history.

 

 

 

Nanendo Hall is the biggest octagonal hall in Japan, this was reconstructed in Edo perido.  When you walk more back of the Nanendo hall, you will see a three storied pagoda, which is also a national treasure.

And the place I would you to visit is The Kofukuji National Treasure Hall.  There are various old statues, paintings, books, craftworks and historical documents made during year 700 to 1200.  The most popular one is probably the Asura statue, which is on the admission ticket. 

Since photo taking in this hall is prohibited, please visit the web site and feel the Buddhist art and cultures.

 

For National Treasure Hall, Adults and university students : JPY600
Open daily all year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
http://www.kohfukuji.com/
http://www.kohfukuji.com/english.html#english05  (in English)

Experience Japan!

Great Buddha Hall, Todaiji Temple

There is the greatest image of Buddha in Nara.

Todaiji Temple was built in the Nara period (710-794) at the behest of Emperor Shomu.  At that time, Japan had been suffered from a plague and disasters, and Emperor Shomu wanted to take the peaceful world back.  The Great Buddha Hall was was burned in two fires of war, and reconstructed in 1709, in the size of two-thirds of the original hall.  The hall is still ranks as the largest wooden structure in the world.  

The hall's height is 48.74m (159.89ft.)  The roofs are like this when you look them up.

Great Buddha is one of the largest bronze figures in the world as well.  The statue stands just over 15m (50ft.) and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold. 



In the back side of the statue, you will see a wooden column with a hole.  This hole's size is exactly the same as one of the Great Buddha's nostrils.  A small kid can go through the hole like this picture, and it is said that the kid will have good health and good luck.

In the back side of the hall, there are the Four Devas, too.

And in front of the hall, one of the Shakyamuni's disciple is sitting there.  Even though he looks very scary, but he is also one kind of Buddha. You can touch him, and it is said that he has the power to heel your sickness. 

Admission JPY500
Opening time changes by season, but 8 am to 4:30pm opens all the year.

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Meeting Deer, Nara Park

Kyoto is the best place to visit to see the history of Japan, however, Nara is also very interesting location to feel the Japanese history.  Nara was the capital of Japan about 1,300 year ago, so lots of temples and shrines were constructed for religious purpose then. Those architectures are harmonized with the nature there, in Nara, everything is huge, vast, and magnificent.

In the east side of Nara, there is a huge park, called Nara park. In and around the park, there are famous temples such as Kofukuji and Todaiji temples, and Nara National Museum.

As you walk to Todaiji temple, you will see Nandaimon gate.  This was built in 1203, and the biggest gate in Japan. Can you tell how big it is to see the people under the gate?






Two statures of  guardian gods of Buddhism (Deva kings) are in this gate, they are guarding Todaiji temple. The sizes of these statures are 8.4m height each, and they are made from small wooden pieces.  800 years ago, famous architects, Unkei and Kaikei and their team, constructed these 2 huge statues only in 69 days.   

And another entertainment in Nara Park is deer!  They are designated as precious natural treasures in Japan and real wild deer.


 Let's buy Deer crackers and feed them. The crackers are 150JPY per pack.













They are very cute, but please be careful, they might bite, kick, butt and knock down!

Then, feed them. They might bow to you to beg the crackers.

It is only about 30minutes from Kyoto to Nara, please try to visit Nara to see the majestic historical statues and temples. Nara's mascot, Sento-kun will also welcome you. 

Experience Japan!