Japan Photo Guide

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Covering about 525 acres, Nara Park is the largest municipal park in Japan and includes many of Nara’s famous attractions, including Todaiji, Kokufuji, Kasuga Taisha, and oh yeah, about 1200 (sort of) wild deer. I recommend just wondering around Nara Park and finding your ow nice little spot, as there are plenty of them. Of course, the best time to go would be either during cherry blossom season or fall but anytime of the year is fairly nice.

A little information about the deer; for the most part the deer are really well behaved (some even seem to bow after or before you feed them–really I promise!) and pose no threat to you but there are some things to take caution about: Read the rest of this entry and see more photos »

Nara is in the Kansai Region of Japan and is about 30-40 minutes by train from Kyoto or Osaka. Nara, the old capital of Japan, is home to 8 of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 64 of the 200 and some odd buildings that are considered national treasures in Japan. Nara is also home to about 1200 or so deer that roam freely around Nara Koen (Nara Park). I have been to Kyoto more than 5 times but just recently went to Nara for the first time because I thought it would feel similar to Kyoto; however, it has a very different feel from it. Partly because there are deer running around everywhere and partly because it is less crowded (although the famous spots like Todaiji, do get very crowded at times), but there is something about Nara, that is somewhat hard to pinpoint, that makes it a magical place.

I highly recommend checking Nara out, especially in the fall. If you want, you could probably see most of Nara without staying overnight, but I recommend staying one night there just to make sure you can see everythign you want to see. Below are a few places that you will not want to miss:

• • Todaiji–Huge temple that holds Japan’s largest Buddha (top photo)
  • Nara Koen–Nara Park is where a lot of temples, shrines and 1200+ deer are
  • Horyuji–Oldest wooden building and structures in the world
  • Kokufuji
  • Kasuga Taisha–Fabulous Shinto Shrine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Toshodaiji
  • Yakushiji

For more information see the official site of Nara or the Japan Guide.