Nara, Japan's oldest city

Nara was once the capital of Japan. There are ancient temples and buildings there. We visit the Buddhist temple Todai-ji. After we arrive at the train station, we go directly to the park where countless Sika deer can be found. According to legend, the deity Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer. Since then, the deer have been considered sacred and are not hunted. This means that the Sika deer are very fearless towards humans. They come straight to us and curiously sniff our stroller (and even steal an empty cardboard box). We are allowed to feed them with special cookies that are sold on every corner of the street. In Shintoism, Sika deer are considered messengers between mortals and higher nature spirits (Kami).
The temple complex covers a wide area and is integrated into the surrounding nature. When we enter Todai-ji, the largest wooden building in the world, we are faced with a giant Buddha called Daibutsu. This is the largest bronze Buddha of its kind. There are some offerings in front of the statue. This Buddha seems to like oranges.