FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Nara & Uji

April 21, 2018 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Nara & Uji 

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.

Early wisteria blooms at Byodo-in!