※This article was published at February 2015.※
Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794, before Kyoto and Tokyo were the capitals of Japan.
Despite only being the capital for 84 years, over 1200 years ago, a wealth of cultural amenities remain in Nara.
One of these treasures is Todai-ji temple.
What makes Todai-ji so famous and special is the large statue of Buddha in the main hall.
The current statue is 15m tall and weighs 25 tonnes, and used 375kg of gold and 2110kg of mercury.
The current building housing the massive Buddha is 30% smaller than the previous building.
Until 1998, the temple was the world’s largest wooden building; today, there are several larger buildings.
Like many Japanese buildings of the older times, no nails are used in the construction!
Blessed with enlightenment?
Here’s a fun thing to do!
A supporting post in the main hall has a hole; the dimensions of the hole are the same size as the large Buddha’s nostrils.
If you’re able to pass through it, stories say that you will be blessed with enlightenment in the ‘next life’.
Legends aside, challenge yourself to a wiggle through the hole!
Meanwhile, in the nearby Nara Park, you will find deer (said to be messengers of the Shinto gods) roaming around freely.
You can feed these deer with shika senbei (deer biscuits)!
Todai-ji is a 20 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara station.
Alternatively, take bus No. 1, 2, 6, 52, 70, 88, 89, 97, 98 or 133 from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at Daibutsuden Kasugataisha Mae.
It will then be a mere 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
For those interested to take a closer look, here is the website: http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara_e/area01/
Map:
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