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| An after-convention
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Nara,Japan's oldest capital,is blessed with many world cultural heritage
sites.
Every season brings has its own attractions,whenever you visit the city.
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| 「Image of The Great Buddha」 |
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| Oldest wooden structure on Earth. The Buddist temples in Horyuji area,Horyuji
& Hokkiji, became first Japan's registered world cultural heritage
sites in December 1993. |
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| Kasuga Grand Shrine and Kasugayama primeval forest were registered together
as a world heritage site because of the harmonious coordination of the
architecture with its natural surroundings. |
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| Built in the 8th century by Emperor Shomu, it is one of the biggest wooden structures in the world. It houses an image of The Great Buddha, which is very popular among the Japanese people. |
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| Its five-storied pagoda is the symbol of Nara. The temple's museum houses
many national treasures. |
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| Formerly known as Asukadera Temple, it was built by Umako SOGA. Later it
was moved to the Heijo-kyo area and became known as Gangoji Temple. |
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| Emperor Shomu invited Ganjing, monk of high rank in the Tong Dynasty,toJapan.
The monk built this temple as a school for Buddhists. |
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| It was re-built recently and reflects the gorgeous images of the Tempyo
period. The paintings on fusuma, paper-sliding doors, made by the well-known
Japanese artist Ikuo HIRAYAMA are well-worth seeing. The Emperor Tenmu,
wishing for the recovery of the Empress, moved it from Asuka to Heijo-kyo
where it now stands. |
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| Ruins of the ancient capital. A 120-hectare area is now being excavated.
The ancient capital is scheduled to be partly rebuilt in the near future. |
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Vegetarian food and Chagayu |
Narazuke |
So |
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While in Nara, let's enjoy typical and traditional Japanese food.
There, you have a good chance to try the delicate Japanese taste because Nara has a long tradition of various delicious foods.
Visitors can enjoy food, wine and even some kinds of desserts in Nara.
Nara is the origin of the delicious Japanese alcohol, Sake.
"So" is the name of a smooth cheese eaten as a dessert, which was popular among the nobles of tempyo period (8th Century)
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One of the typical foods in Nara is Narazuke, vegetable pickled in Sake lees
It is named after vegetable pickles in Nara.
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The other traditional and recommended food is Chagayu, or rice porridge with green tea flavour.
People in Nara serve chagayu as main breakfast menu. Brown roasted tea, so called Hoji-cha adds smoothness and good flavour to the rice gruel. |
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If you visit temple in Nara, some of them can serve Shojin-ryori, or vegetarian food.
Because of the religious reason Buddhist do not eat meat so they cooked vegetable as if it were meat dishes.
Kasuga Grand Shrine serves vegetarian dishes called Chujunno-kon.
Ryo-senji temple serves vegetarian food with medicinal herb.
Yatadera temple is famous for its hydrangea flowers serves Ajisai-gozen dishes and Taima-dera temple serves dimsum Chinese style vegetarian foods, too.
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| Link site to information "Dellicacies of NARA" |
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●Sumi or Ink stick
Fude or writing brush (refer to the photo) |
About 90% of the production all over Japan is made in Nara.
Originally they were imported from China during the Tang Dynasty about 1200 years ago.
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| ●Akahadayaki Pottery (refer to the photo) |
One of the seven kilns created by Enshu KOBORI, well-known master of tea ceremony, is located on the west side of Nara City, at the bottom of Mt. Gojo.
The color of these potteries is close to the color of clay.
Simple shapes and textures were loved by many masters in the tea ceremony for a long time.
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