Nara - A walk down the history lane
By: Alex Albert

Nara is a walk down the lane of history and perhaps the only city where herds of deer are seen roaming in the public without any fear. Established in the year 710 AD, Nara was Japan‘s first capital and aptly described by the World Heritage as a historical asset. Nara is home to many well preserved historic and scenic sites which sometimes escape from the casual tourist’s schedule but surely not worth the miss. The city captivates the traveler’s imagination not only with the historical architecture but the many legendary myths surrounding the mystic ambiance of Nara. A striking feature is the culture of the city which is influenced greatly by Buddhism and is seemingly unaffected by the sweeping currents of modernity.

Connected through Kyoto, Nara lies in the Kansai region which is almost at the center of the Japanese archipelago. Nara is an inland prefecture surrounded by the four prefectures of Osaka to the west, Kyoto to the north, Wakayama to the south and Mie to the east. Nara is a relic in itself and wherever you graze your eyes, you would be staring a thousand years deep down into history. Among the most famous attractions in Nara, the world famous Todaji Temple houses the gigantic ‘Great Buddha of Nara’, which is 15 meters tall and weighs almost 25 tonnes and there’s the Kofokuji Temple, a world heritage site which is a towering 50.8 meters. Apart from the many ancient temples, there are several museums showcasing historic classics of Buddhist art and also the lives of the common people which let you see the aspects of Nara beyond an ancient city. Finally, the Nara Park is a perfect place to relax while the local herds of deer nudge you for quenching their fascination of biscuits.

For nature lovers, the Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest is a delightful treat. Regarded as a sacred mountain, the forest is a home to trees such as Oak and Chinquapin, many of which are gigantic and more than 400 years old with trunks measuring more than 9m in circumference. The forest also accommodates rare species as forest green tree frogs and clouded salamanders. The entire forest is designated World Heritage as a ‘cultural landscape. There are several hot springs in Nara renowned for their medicinal properties claming to cure a number of diseases owing to their high mineral contents. Nara has a wide range of delicacies on the platter with the most famous being sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, which actually originates from nearby Yoshino. Getting around Nara is very easy as nearly all the historical sites are located close by and you might prefer to walk as it’s quite a pleasant experience in itself.

Accommodation in Nara is quite comfortable with the easy availability of both budget and luxurious hotels, perfect for leisure as well as business travelers. Hotels in Nara usually come with plenty of modern facilities and a professional service with personal touch.

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