0:00 Japan Adventure Series: Part Forty—One day in Nara
0:15 Mapping our 1-day itinerary in Nara Japan | An introduction
1:37 Kintetsu Nara Station and Higashimuki Dori Shopping Street
2:02 Kofukuji Temple
2:30 Niborioji Nara Park
4:53 Manyo (Manyou) Botanical Garden
7:02 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
10:04 Nara Park
12:14 Todaiji Namdaimon (Nandaimon) Gate: the Grand South Gate
12:52 Todaiji Chumon (Middle) Gate and Todai ji Temple Grounds
13:44 Todaiji Temple Main Shine and Daibatsu Den (Big Buddha Hall)
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Today’s adventure begins at Kintetsu Nara Station…one of two main railway stations serving the city of Nara. After a short 35-minute train ride from Kyoto we store our luggage and head out to explore one of Japan’s most important historical and cultural locations.
Just outside the station is Higashimuki Shopping Street. The street leads us from the station into Nara’s main historical and cultural district.
First location on today’s adventure is Kofuku ji Temple, a World Heritage Site known for its five-storied pagoda.
From there we head into Nibo-Rioji-Nara park to feed the famous sacred Nara Deer before heading to Manyo Botanical Garden.
After experiencing the beauty of Japan’s oldest garden we walk the stone lantern paths that lead to Kasuga Taisha shrine.
With another short stop in Nara Park to feed the deer crackers and the kiddos ice cream we are ready for Nara’s most spectacular offering…Todai ji temple.
We pass through the Nandaimon gate… into todai ji’s spacious grounds before standing at the feet of the impressive bronze daibatsu to end the day.
