Japan
Nara, land of the heavenly deer
Marauding ruminators
Just a short ride, on the Japanese
clockwork rail system, from Kyoto is the
astonishing city of Nara. Nara was the
very first capital city of Japan, the
starting location of the Silk Road, and
the first place Buddhism arrived in
Japan in AD 710. When you get to Nara it
is a simple, and very rewarding, process
to enlist a free guide to show you
around. College students offer their
time for free so that they can practice
their English with you.
The largest wooden temple,
well at least one of them
According to legend a mythological
god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a
white deer, to guard the capital. This
myth has raised the deer to the status
of heavenly animals. Today tame deer
roam through the town, especially in
Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "shika
sembei" (deer biscuits) to feed the
deer. However, be warned that once you
start feeding these deer they turn from
pleasant creatures to hungry and unruly
mobs of marauding ruminators. Some of
the deer have learned to bow in response
to tourists' bows, but most just nudge,
jostle, and even bite you for food.
Despite thousands of cookie eating deer,
in and around Nara, there is no deer
poop. This is due to groups of chanting
locals, armed with dustpans and brushes,
who scope-up the poop of the sacred
poopers.
There are eight temples, shrines and
ruins in Nara. All of these wonderful
places together with Kasugayama Primeval
Forest collectively form the "Historic
Monuments of Ancient Nara", which is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You must see Nara, before you pass
off your mortal coil. Join me on the
next leg of our trip around Japan.