Nara
Trip Start
Aug 20, 2008
1
11
18
Trip End
Aug 01, 2009
Nara City,
Japan
Friday, October 10, 2008
Five-story pagoda
We decided that it was time we went and did some sightseeing so today we visited Nara City in Nara Prefecture. It took us a little over an hour to get there by trains. Nara has a lot of history to it but mainly it is known for it's temples and shrines.
Rachel petting the deer!
All throughout the city is a park with numerous sites to visit. The most popular and biggest one is called Todai-ji Temple which houses the big Buddha.
KJ at one of the gates
The temple is believed to be the largest wooden building in the world. The Buddha inside is quite impressive in size. As you walk around him you encounter a pillar with a hole in the bottom.
Rachel in front of another gate
It is said that if you can pass your entire body through the hole your next life will be filled with enlightenment. I convinced KJ to give it a shot but seeing as how we are broad shouldered gajins he didn't quite make it.
Todaji-Temple where the big Buddha lives
However, the Japanese women thought he was quite funny! And the children really didn't understand why the adults were having such a tough time as they just slid their little bodies through.
The Big Buddha!!
Outside of the temple were free-roaming deer. They were friendly and you could pet and feed them special deer food.
The back of KJ trying to fit through
This is as far as he got...not too bad!
In the Shinto religion they are believed to be messengers of God which is why they are allowed to roam. 
