Nara City Tourism Association

One of the largest goldfish museums in Japan opened in 2021 in Nara, a major goldfish production region. The museum features 3,000 goldfish of about 40 species swimming gracefully in an aquarium that looks like a work of art, and a light and sound production fused with projection mapping, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum with all five senses. Of course, all areas of the museum are open for photography, and all of the exhibits are very photogenic. It is the perfect place to start your camera trip!

MiNara is a shopping complex with a shopping mall, and has a food court on the first floor where you can easily enjoy a variety of different types of food. There are also other cafes and restaurants where you can have lunch, so check out MiNala's gourmet guide.

Empress Komyo, a key figure in the spread of Buddhism in Japan, established the Hokkeji Imperial Convent in 745 and designated Hokkeji as the head of a national system of convents. Hokkeji can be roughly translated as the Temple of the Flower of the Law. Empress Komyo encouraged women in the convent to practice flower arrangement, and the Hokkeji Goryu school of ikebana continues today.

The Empress was a deeply devout woman who cared for the less fortunate. She established an infirmary and a residence for orphans and the disabled. In the Karafuro bathhouse, which was rebuilt in 1766 and still stands on the temple grounds today, she washed the dirt off a thousand people afflicted with illness.

The temple was founded by Empress Komyo in 731. When Genbo, a Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty, encountered a storm in the East China Sea while returning home, he recited the "Kairyuo Sutra" with all his heart, narrowly escaping death and safely returning. This experience led to the temple being named Kairyuoji, after the sutra. Genbo, the first chief priest, established Kairyuoji as the Heijo Palace Dojo, a private temple for the imperial family. The five-story pagoda (a national treasure) and the Western Golden Hall (an important cultural property) still stand from the time of the temple's founding. The main hall houses the Eleven-Headed Kannon Standing Statue (an important cultural property) and the Standing Statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva (an important cultural property), which were erected during the Kamakura period.

The Kohfukuji Temple was one of the seven most prominent temples of the Nara era and a tutelary temple of the Fujiwara clan, the most influential clan in Japanese history. Nara largely owed its prosperity to the temple's development.

In 710, the Fujiwara clan transferred the predecessor of the present Kohfukuji Temple from Asuka to the Nara capital. Then, the temple extended its influence with the Fujiwara family's prosperity even after the capital moved to Kyoto. The war in 1180 burned down most of the temple, however, in later years, Kohfukuji eventually became the practical ruler of Yamato Province (present Nara Pref.)   until the 16th century. They were so influential that they repeatedly appealed to the Imperial Court in Kyoto with soldier monks.

The vast precincts of the temple include the Chukon-do Hall, the Tokon-do Hall, the Hokuen-do Hall, the Nan'en-do Hall, the Five-storied Pagoda, the Three-storied Pagoda, and the Treasure Hall, some of which were constructed in and after the 13th century. As for Buddhist sculptures, many famous articles and masterpieces of the Nara era exist. Of these 136 designated national treasures　(Buddha statues, etc.) in Japan, 18 are housed at Kohfukuji Temple. The most famous statue is the Asura Statue.

The five-story pagoda is currently undergoing long-term repair work and cannot be seen from the outside.

This pond is located within Nara Park, and has a circumference of 360 meters. The five-storied pagoda of Kohfukuji Temple, as well as the willow trees surrounding the pond reflect beautifully in his surface, and are recognized as one of the Eight Views of Nara.

After lunch and a tour of the museum, take a leisurely stroll down the alley characterized by machiya with lattice windows. Cafes and specialty stores are in renovated old houses, where you can enjoy the exteriors, interior furniture, and architectural style. In Naramachi, red ball-like objects are hung from the eaves here and there. These are called “migawarizaru (scapegoat monkey),” which are used to ward off evil spirits, and add a vivid accent to the calm colors of the townscape.

Image: Scenery of Naramachi

Yamato Bunkakan is an art museum located in a quiet residential area in Gakuenmae, Nara City. It opened in 1960 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Kintetsu.

The museum is surrounded by a naturally rich cultural garden overlooking Hiruta Pond. It boasts a valuable collection of over 2,000 pieces of Japanese and Oriental art, including four national treasures and 31 important cultural properties. During cherry blossom season, 10 weeping cherry trees, descendants of the Miharu Takizakura (Fukushima Prefecture), one of Japan's three most famous cherry trees, are planted, and visitors are delighted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Teahouses with an old-fashioned atmosphere are scattered around Nara Park. They are recommended for lunch, as you can take a break or have a meal at a table. There are also cafes and restaurants on the road from Nara Park to Todaiji Temple that are perfect for lunch, so use Google Maps to find one that interests you.

[Image: Mizuya Chaya]

Isui-en Garden was originally constructed by a Nara tanner, who lived within the garden grounds. The garden was designated as government property in 1975. The garden landscape makes use of the surrounding Mount Wakakusa, Mount Kasuga, and the roof of Todai-ji Temple's great gate in its design, making it appears as though the fields of Mount Wakakusa continue uninterrupted down into the garden itself and across its little hills. The garden grounds also contain Neiraku Museum, which carries a collection of art from East and West alike.

Tobihino, located on the grounds of Kasugataisha Shrine, is a vast grassy area facing the main sando (approach) to the shrine. Here, you can see herds of deer playing freely. This is also where the Shika Yose (Deer Gathering) event is held, where the musical tones of a natural horn are used to bring the deer together in a specific location.

Todaiji Temple and its principal image of the Great Buddha, widely known as Daibutu, represent Nara in all its aspects. Daibutsu is housed in an imposing wooden structure that is the largest in the world.

As the imperial ordinance for the construction in 743, the Great Buddha was cast under full state sponsorship and people's cooperation. The consecrating ceremony was held in 752. It took almost 40 years to complete the whole temple complex, including pagodas, halls, and gradually extended areas. Even after the capital moved to Kyoto, the temple enjoyed its prosperity under the protection of successive emperors. However, the two big wars attacked the temple in 1180 and 1567, severely damaging or burning most of it.

However, with tremendous efforts, the temple was restored each time. Many of the current buildings were reconstructed after that. However, a large number of noted Buddhist statues and buildings from the Nara era remain. Todaiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site.

A typical sightseeing course is as follows:

the Nandai-mon Gate

the Daibutsu-den Hall

the Belfry

the Shunjo-do Hall

the Sammai-do Hall (Shigatsu-do)

the Hokke-do Hall (Sangatsu-do)

the Kaisan-do Hall

the Nigatsu-do Hall

the Tegai-mon Gate

the Kaidan-in　

Even if you quickly complete the whole course, it takes 4 hours. If you don't have much time, it's better to focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall first, then the Nigatsu-do Hall (the Hall for the Shunie ceremony in March), where you can see an incredible sunset in the west.

(15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

Nigatsu-dō is located on a hill at the eastern end of the Todaiji Temple grounds, and from the stage you can see the whole city of Nara. When the weather permits, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the cityscape and mountains at sunset. After the sun goes down, the lanterns are lit and the atmosphere becomes even more magical, making this a perfect spot to end your visit to the ancient capital of Nara.

Image: Nigatsu-dō of Todaiji Temple