Off to Nara!

Approximately 30 km east of Osaka lies Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan (in the 8th century). Nara is actually best known for its deer that stroll around Nara Park. But I'll come back to them later :) Of course, Nara also has plenty of temples and 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites. In and around the park, you can admire half of them.

So, the first temple: Kohfukuji. It was first built in the 7th century and, of course, destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries. The complex also has a 5-story pagoda that is 50 m tall. Afterwards, you walk through the park, encounter deer and Japanese elementary school students who should interview foreigners to learn English. As a thank you, you get calligraphy, origami, or a group photo.

In the park, there is the largest wooden building in the world, which houses a 15 m high and 300 ton bronze Buddha. There is also a pillar that you can squeeze through to find enlightenment afterwards. However, you have to be a child or a slim Japanese person for that. Western bodies don't fit through there :)

If you go up the hill to a shrine, you have a beautiful view of Nara and some peace from the many people. Further back, there is also the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, which is also a World Heritage site. It is located in the forest and is lined with hundreds of stone lanterns along the roadside.

Actually, there are even more temples and even a palace to see. However, they were a bit further away and we were simply too tired (today it was very hot and we were stuffed with ramen :D).