Ancient Nara
As justification for inscription, the Unesco-committee mentions: the evolution of Japanese architecture and art as a result of cultural links with China and Korea which were to have a profound influence on future developments, and: outstanding examples of the architecture and planning of early Asian capital cities.
The historic monuments of Nara, temples, shrines, the excavated remains of the great imperial palace, provide a vivid picture of the capital of Japan in the 8th century A.D., a period of profound political and cultural change.
Visit May 2000
The temples are to be found in an exceptionally touristy park, with spoilt deer that roam around the walking paths. When I visited the site, it was also very busy with schoolchildren and elderly people (although it was still early in the morning).
Very special is the Nigatsudo-temple, which is decorated on the outside with hundreds of lanterns. The way to the temple is aligned by stone lanterns.
Reviews
A. O`Riordan (US):
Watch out for deer!
Todaiji, home of a gargantuan statues of Buddha and 2 Bosatsu, is a large and usually crowded place, but quite amazing.
Across the street, Kasuga Taisho is absolutely beautiful... walking down the path surrounded by deer and lanterns, it feels like you`re walking into a Miyazaki film or old folk tale. The priestesses seemed a bit unfriendly when I went and the ominous sky gave a slightly unsettling feeling, but the shrine itself is very lovely. It`s a bit difficult to take panoramic pictures though because there are so many trees. |
| Date posted: July 2005 |
Kei Nakumura (Japan):
My favorite is Gangouji temple. The Gangouji temple is a small, simple, archaic temple. This temple was a place of commoners' prayers from the Middle Ages. It is different from the big temples protected by emperors, aristocrats, and Samurai.
The Gangouji temple is located in an old urban area outside the park. Therefore, few tourists come there. You will be able to see the temple calmly.
(To Mr. Jaxon Nobori's comment. )
A present Daibutsu building was rebuilt in 1709. It is already historical monuments of the Edo shogunate age. There is no reason to destroy it and to rebuild it again.
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jaxon nobori (U.S.A.):
For me, the Toshodai-ji was more interesting than the Todai-ji. In particular the museum with the temples treasures was the highlight for me.
Passed up the chance to gawk at the Daibutsu, but went to see the Shoso-in instead. The central figure is heavily restored and somewhat squat in its' proportions and cramped in its' surroundings. It may help to know that the present building, in only two-thirds the size of the original one. They couldn't find enough big trees to re-build it properly the last time. I'll wait until they re-build it right. |
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C H Ho (Hong Kong, China):
I visited Nara in 1994 and 2004. There is nearly no change during this ten years. The sites are not beautiful but the importance is higher than the sites in Kyoto. It is because Nara is the first ancient capital in Japan. |
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Rob Wilson (UK):
Despite the touristy nature of virtually all of Japan's ancient sites, Nara is one place where you can get some idea of what Japan used to be like before everything old was almost entirely replaced with concrete.
Todai-Ji is a magnificent building and the Daibutsen Buddha is a jaw-dropping spectacle. This is, without question, the star of Nara-Koen and possible the highlight of all of Japan's cultural relics.
The rest of the park is also fascinating, with the 5 storey pagoda of Kofuku-Ji another gem.
The Ancient forest (also on the World Heritage list) at the back of the parkland is well worth hiking around for a few hours. It's a great way to get away from the crowds. |
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