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Japan’s first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. Before that date, the capital was moved to a new location whenever a new emperor ascended to the throne. However, as the influence and political ambitions of the city’s powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved away to Nagaoka in 784 and a few years later to Kyoto. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, the city remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples.
Deer have roamed wild around Nara for more than 1,000 years. Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara’s over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. Nara’s deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be aggressive if they think you will feed them, so make sure not to tease them with food.
Originally built in 752, Todaiji is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. Until recently, Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
Kofukuji used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful aristocratic clan during much of the Nara and Heian periods (8th century to 12th century). The temple was established in 710 at the same time Nara was established as the capital. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings.
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