Golden Pavillion

Ni-Jo Castle

Go

We're trying to learn how to play Go. There is a board at our hostel in Kyoto that we've been trying out. We're still getting to grips with the rules but are finding it quite addictive so when we came across this tiny 9 x 9 beginner's board in a 100 yen shop in Nara today we had to snap it up.

More Sake Tasting

We find a place in Nara where we can taste five different kinds of sake. One is even a sparkling version labelled as the Champagne of sake. They all taste pretty good to us. We leave with a bottle and some complimentary glass saki cups with tiny deer (what else) carved into the bottom.

Buddha Fun

There is a huge Buddha statue inside the temple which is one of the biggest bronze statues in the world. Around the back of the statue is a wooden pillar with a hole bored through the bottom. The hole is the exact same size as the nostril holes on the Buddha. If you can fit your body through the hole you will be sure to reach enlightenment. We watch a group of schoolgirls line up to take their turn. Some of them get a bit stuck midway and need a firm push from their friends. Paul & I have just had lunch and decide to give it a miss.

Todai-Ji Temple

Probably the biggest tourist sight in Nara is this temple. It's the biggest wooden structure in the world. Outside the entrance is this scary looking wooden carving. The legend goes that if you touch it and then touch a part of your body that ails you the ailment will get better. There are some other fine wooden carvings of warriors inside the temple too. In a gift shop on the wat here we spotted this full ninja outfit for sale.

Deer Etiquette

There are signs all over the park telling visitors how to behave towards the deer. We had a bit of trouble with the meanings but I think the main thing is not to try to steal the babies or feed them fag butts.

Feeding Deer

There's nothing quite so funny as watching terrified girls running around screaming and flinging biscuits while being chased by hungry deer. And once you're bored of this you can buy sweets in the shape of deer droppings. Yum!

Deer in the Park

The best thing about Nara is definitely the deer. All the major sights are based around a huge park where 1200 of the gorgeous creatures live. They are used to visitors so we were even able to get close to this tiny fawn.

Isui-en Garden

We have a day trip to Nara today. First stop is this garden.

Geisha Spotting

Last night we got lost trying to find Ponto-Cho, one of the districts are the few remaining geisha in Kyoto hang out. Finally we gave up and went to a Karaoke bar instead but this morning we bumped into a couple of geisha on the way back from the temple. They were very sweet and patient and posed for us and a few other people before shuffling off on their wooden flip-flops.

On the way back to our hostel we get lost again and end up in Maruyama-Koen park where people tie their wishes to the branches of the trees. In spring they will be covered in cherry blossom too.