Sacred Nara

Potentially one of the most sacred places in Japan, all Junior High School students will end up visiting this place and Kyoto.

I arrived in Kyoto at 6am after the previous day of falling down Mt. Fuji. A result of staying awake 40 hours straight meant that I passed out straight away on the night bus and woke up just in time upon arrival at Kyoto station. Then, I just jumped on a train straight for Nara. I had to make it quick in a sense as I was meeting up with my friend back in Kyoto that evening, and so had a day to myself in Nara to do whatever I pleased. Or, so I thought.

But, it was nice. I wanted to get around the famous temples and shrines early in the morning and quickly because a.) I don’t like hanging around places too long as I want to see something new, and b.) it would no doubt get very crowded, meaning loss of photographic chances. I arrived around 7:30am and saw an old man with billowing white hair doing prayers. He saw me coming and asked me questions such as where I was from etc. (maybe because of my dangling camera and extremely good looks). This went onto a long conversation about each other, and exchanges of addresses as he wanted to write to me (though he hasn’t yet and it’s been about 20 days!). He then wanted to take me on a tour of Nara for free so I agreed.

He took me around all of the temples and shrines that I needed to see and told me all sorts of great and wonderful information I would not otherwise be able to digest and yet being the silly me, I have forgotten most of it. I remember one thing though, which is that this used to be the home of the emperor’s family, and even more iconic is that it is the home of the first ever empress. Then, the family moved to Tokyo.

The time and tour I had was nice. I met a lot of deers who don’t seem very interested in you unless you have food. And, once they determine I am the source of such wanted food, they will never leave you alone. The wise old man said that you must slap the deer in the face to get rid of them, and my face of disbelief attracted another couple to confirm this horrid fact. But, I have yet to slap a deer in the face.

He then took me to lunch where I had a ramen and rice set, which he paid for and then I figured it was time to part as I had to return to Kyoto to sort out the hostel. Perhaps I will see him again soon.

I will now leave you with some of the snapshots I took with my camera. I think the reason why I love photography so much now is that (and though it sounds rather pretentious) it is a wonderful way to capture a moment in time and keep it forever. And so, why not make them look good? Yeugh, but true.