Temples and other historical places in Nara: Dec.3-5, 202

I visited the ancient city of Nara in late autumn. Nara became Japan's capital in the 8th century and is rich in historical heritage. During my stay, I visited many temples and shrines, encountered countless national treasures, and learned many on Japanese history and culture.

 

Heijo-kyo was built in Nara in 710, making it the capital of Japan. Although the capital was moved to Kyoto (Heian-kyo) in 794, Nara continued to flourish as one of Japan's most important cities.

Nara is home to many famous temples and shrines. 

Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are located in the current central area of Nara City. This area is now known as Nara Park, where numerous deer are kept. I saw many foreign tourists and Japanese students on school trips.

 

Todai-ji Temple was built in the first half of the 8th century and is famous for the Great Buddha of Nara. The original statue was completed in 752 as a prayer for peace for the nation and its people. It repeatedly suffered damages from earthquakes and wars, then was subsequently repaired. It stands 15 meters high. Many people, including groups of elementary school students, exclaimed in surprise. (See also the top photo)

 

The Great Buddha Hall (Kondo), where the Great Buddha is enshrined, is 49 meters high and 57 meters wide. It is the largest wooden building in the world.

 

The main gate (the Great South Gate) houses Nio statues, masterpieces of carving in Kamakura period (late 12th century-1333).

 In front of the gate, deer begged visitors for food. (See the 4th photo from the top)

 

Kasuga Shrine was built in the late 8th century. Deer are considered messengers of the gods, and many reside within the shrine grounds.

 

Kofuku-ji Temple was built in the early 8th century and has since endured numerous wars and disasters. It is famous for 50-meter-high five-story pagoda. The pagoda is undergoing major restoration work from 2023 to 2034. It was covered with construction cover.

 

The remains of Heijo-kyo locate about 5 kilometers west of Nara Park. Several palaces and gates have been restored within the vast green space.

 

Yakushiji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple locate in the southwest area of the Heijo-kyo ruins.

Yakushiji Temple was originally founded in the Asuka region and moved to its current location during the Nara period. 

The eastern pagoda retains its beautiful appearance from its construction in the 8th century. The western pagoda was rebuilt in 1981. (See als the 3rd photo)

Toshodaiji Temple was founded by Ganjin, a famous Tang monk who was invited to Japan during the Nara period. Buildings such as the Golden Hall (Kondo) convey the culture of the Nara period.

 

Horyu-ji Temple is located in Ikaruga Town, about 20 kilometers southwest of central Nara. Originally constructed in the 7th century, the temple was rebuilt in the early 8th century. It boasts the world's oldest wooden buildings. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

There locate buildings such as the Golden Hall, five-story pagoda, and South Gate, in the western area of the temple.

The five-story pagoda is the oldest surviving pagoda in Japan and stands 31 meters tall.

 

The Golden Hall (Kondo) houses the famous Shaka Triad and other statues.

 

Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Horyuji Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are all registered as World Heritage Sites. These temples and shrines convey history and culture dating back 1300 years. I fully experienced it.

The autumn color was also beautiful. (See also the 5th photo) 

I had a good time.

Asuka, center of ancient Japan: Dec. 3-4, 2025

 

I visited the Asuka region in Nara Prefecture  (near Osaka and Kyoto). This area was Japan's political and cultural center from the 6th to 7th centuries, and the basic frameworks of Japan's current national system, including the emperor system, people’s mindset and community structure, was formed in the period. This was my first visit there in about 50 years, since my youth.

The Asuka region is about 20 kilometers south of Nara City, the prefecture’s capital. Its current administrative districts include Asuka Village, Kashihara City, and Sakurai City.

Houses and farmfields spread in the region today. Many kofun or ancient tombs, temples and other historical monuments are scattered in the area.  

Japan's imperial system was established around the 6th century, and several palaces were built in the Asuka region. Power struggles took place between the imperial family and powerful clans.

During this period, many immigrants arrived in Japan from the Korean Peninsula. Buddhism was introduced  in the 6th century.

Many aspects of ancient Japanese history remain unknown, and many debates are being made.

One of the most famous kofun is Ishibutai Tomb (See the top and 2nd photos). This tomb was believed to have been made in the early 7th century. It was once covered in soil, but this was later lost, revealing a horizontal stone chamber. 

It is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, a powerful figure at the time.

Kengoshizuka Tomb was built in the 7th or 8th century and is octagonal. It is likely to be the tomb of Empress Saimei in the mid-6th century. (See the 3re photo)

 

Kofun were constructed throughout Japan between the 3rd and 7th centuries. There are various shapes, including keyhole-shaped, circular, square, and octagonal. 

In the 4th and 5th centuries, large keyhole-shaped tombs were built in the Kinki region (present-day Osaka and Nara), Kyushu, and Hokuriku. (Visit a story of Mozu tombs in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture)

 

Asukadera Temple was Japan's first full-scale temple, built at the end of the 6th century.

 

The Asuka Daibutsu, the principal image or Honzon of the temple, is Japan's oldest Buddhist statue, built in 609 and standing approximately 3 meters tall. It underwent extensive repairs following fires and other damage during the Heian (794-late 12th century) and Kamakura (late 12th century-1333) periods. However, it still conveys the distinctive features of Asuka sculpture.

 

The Asuka Historical Museum displays numerous relics and cultural assets from the Asuka period. The garden displays numerous replicas of stonework, including a stone fountain.

 

Shintoism has been accepted by people in Japan since ancient times. After the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century, shrines and temples coexisted. In Shinto, it is believed that gods reside in various objects and people worship them.

Omiwa Shrine in Sakurai City enshrines Mount Miwa, which lies behind it.

 

Kashiwara Shrine in Kashihara City was built in the Meiji period to enshrine Japan's first emperor, Emperor Jimmu. According to Japanese mythology, the first emperor died in Kashihara in the 6th century BC. 

His tomb lies nearby.

 

In 710, the emperor moved the capital to Heijo-kyo in Nara City, marking the transition from the Asuka period to the Nara period.

Autumn scenes in Central Tokyo： Nov.19, 2025

 

 

It is mid-November now and autumn deepens rapidly in Tokyo. The minimum temperature dropped to 5 degrees today.

The leaves of some trees are turning yellow and red, adding a touch of color to the city.

 

The ginkgo trees on Miyuki-dori Street in front of Tokyo Station are at their peak of yellowing. The contrast between the rows of ginkgo trees and the retro-style Tokyo Station and skyscrapers behind them is striking. Many foreign tourists were taking photos. (See also the top photo)

 

The plaza in front of Tokyo Station was crowded with people waiting for appointments and tourists. They looked to be admiring the autumn scenery. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

Ginkgo trees stand along the inner moat of the Imperial Palace, casting their shadows on the water.

 

The ginkgo trees in the Kasumigaseki government district, south of the Palace, have also turned yellow. (See the 2nd photo)

The ground in Hibiya Park was covered with fallen leaves. The leaves have turned yellow and red.

 

Japan has experienced a historic hot summer this year. Tokyo’s temperatures went up nearly 30 degrees even in October. Autumn has arrived later than in the past, and weather forecasts predict it will be a short one.

Gotokuji Temple (Cat Temple) in early autumn: Oct 30, 2025

 

I walked in and around Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya City. I often visit the temple, but it had been a while since I had spent time strolling through the temple grounds.

 

As autumn approached in Tokyo, the leaves began to change color within the temple grounds. The trees surrounding the three-story pagoda were also gradually changing color. (See the 2nd photo)

 

Gotokuji Temple is now a popular tourist spot for foreign visitors. Today, there were far more foreign visitors than Japanese.

 

Gotokuji Temple is famous for its lucky cats, and some foreign tourists call it the “Cat Temple.” In one corner of the temple, there is a site to return lucky cat dolls purchased in the past. Thousands of lucky cats were places, and tourists were taking photos. (see also the top photo)

 

The shopping district near the temple was lined with many lucky cat-related shops. They sold lucky cat-shaped sweets and T-shirts with lucky cat illustrations.

 

A lucky cat statue stood in front of Odakyu Gotokuji Station.