FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Nara & Uji
April 21, 2018 by Susan Clarke
Another Uniquely UNESCO day!
- Kasuga-taisha…Shinto Shrine famous for its 3000 stone lanterns…
..that line its approaches & bronze lanterns that hang from its buildings…
…only lit twice a year… during festivals in February & August.
FUN-fact – The path to Kasuga Shrine passes through Deer Park where they are able to roam freely & are believed to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods that inhabit the shrine and surrounding mountainous terrain.
- Todaiji Temple… world’s largest wooden structure…
…built in 743 & houses the 49 foot gilt bronze Great Buddha…
…cast in 749…also the oldest & largest of its kind in the world…
…& loads more deer roaming the grounds.
- Byodo-in…together with its garden…
…the temple represents the Pure Land Paradise…
…& was influential on later temple construction…initially built in 998…
…as a countryside retreat villa for a powerful politician…not as a temple.
- Phoenix Hall constructed in 1053… named for its shape & two phoenix statues on roof…is featured on the back of the Japanese ten yen coin.
- Uji City… famed for its green tea…sits between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto.
More FF – All three temples today were UNESCO World Heritage Sites.