Across the Meyasu Bridge Okayama castle walls Korakuen Resting for a few minutes Red-crowned Cranes Samurai armor Shima Chaya Bridge Going up Yuishinzan Hill View from Yuishinzan Hill Wide Korakuen Garden Grounds Crossing the bridge to Okayama Castle Boat rides Okayama castle from the bridge Okayama castle tower Sunset over Okayama castle Leaving Korakuen Thanks […]
We decided to do something different this new year eve. We walked down to Todaiji at midnight to usher in the new year with the blessings of the great Daibutsu. For it is only during New Year eve that the upper doors, in front of the face of the Great Buddha, are opened so all can witness the eyes of the Daibutsu.
I used to go past the Heijo Palace every time we used to drop in at Osaka. It used to look so beautiful in the night from the train. We finally went to the palace grounds today, to capture its majestic view. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Heijo Palace used to be the emperor’s residence when Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century.
On my walks, I came across several shops selling cute little owl figurines. The Japanese owl or “Fukuro” represents lucky charms for both fortune and protection. Many houses in Nara share this veneration of owls and have them placed near the entrance to ward off suffering.
One cannot but feel tiny in front of Todaiji, home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha, housed in the colossal Daibutsuden Hall. Constructed in 752 AD as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples, it rose to become one of the most powerful temple in Japan, guarded by the fierce Sohei warrior monks.
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