A Half-Day in Nara: The Powerful Ashura Statue, the Great Buddha, and the Welcoming Deer

I arrived at Kyoto Station by Shinkansen and traveled to Nara on the JR Nara Line. This quick connection makes it possible to experience the essence of Japan's ancient capital even in just half a day.

An Instant Nara Welcome: Deer, Temples, and Timeless History

After arriving at Nara Station, I took a bus toward Kofukuji Temple.
The moment I stepped off the bus, deer were right in front of me. It felt like Nara welcomed me instantly.
With the Five-story Pagoda under renovation, I visited the Central Golden Hall, the National Treasure Museum, and the Eastern Golden Hall. Walking through the exhibits felt like revisiting Japanese history.
The Ashura statue in the National Treasure Museum was far more powerful than expected—I found myself standing there longer than expected.

The Overwhelming Scale and Silent Peace of Todai-ji

I first viewed the exterior of the Great Buddha Hall (Kondo).
As I got closer, its immense scale became overwhelming.
Inside, the Great Buddha of Nara (Rushana Buddha) felt both immense and calming—a presence that quietly fills the space.

Surrounded! My Close Encounter with Nara’s Famous Deer

While walking through Nara Park, I bought deer crackers and fed the deer myself.
They came much closer than I expected, which made me slightly nervous.
Before long, deer were everywhere—not only in the park, but also along the streets.
In that moment, I truly felt I was in Nara.

As evening approached, I left Nara and headed back to Kyoto. For just half day, Nara left a lasting impression. With that feeling still lingering, I returned to Tokyo by Shinkansen.