Japan 14 - Nara

Saturday, 23 May 2026

After disembarking our cruise ship in Osaka, our bus took us to Nara - the ancient capital of Japan.

Horyu-ji

Horyu-ji is a large Buddhist temple complex near Nara that is reputed to be the oldest surviving wooden buildings  in the world, dating to the 7th century CE.

Guardian demons at the Great Lecture Hall in Horyu-ji

The western & largest courtyard in Horyu-ji.

The main hall.

The washstand's water spouts from a dragon.

I've always been fascinated by roof lines and ornaments. The following are some of my favorites from Horyu-ji.

Todai-ji

Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple in the heart of the large Nara-koen (Nara Park).

I thought deer were a plentiful nuisance at Miyajima, but they were nothing compared to the crush of deer in Nara.

More deer - including a male with large antlers.

The main entry into the temple complex.

Guardian demon in the main gate. The screen makes it look like this is a monochrome print or painting, but it's a 3-D wooden statue.

The smaller central gate that leads to the Great Buddha Hall.

The Great Buddha (Daibutsu)

The Great Buddha as seen from the side.

Guardians inside the Great Buddha Hall.

A large bodhisattva in the Great Buddha Hall.

Everything is super-sized in the Great Buddha Hall - even a bronze butterfly sitting on the base of a large pillar.