Nara Enlightened
Nara’s Mascot enlightened.
Japan’s first real capital, Nara is one of the most rewarding destinations in the country.
Like Kyoto, Nara is uninspiring at first glance, but careful inspection will reveal the rich history and hidden beauty of the city.
Nara was a splendor in its time — a world of silks, Chinese scripts and Buddhist culture set in a sleepy landscape.
Built by the emperor Shomu, a convert to Buddhism, Nara played an important role in the spread of that religion in Japan, as evidenced by the ancient temples that still dot the city.
Deer are held sacred in Nara, home to temples and shrines, so the animals are free to walk the streets and enter stores. They’d love to have lunch with you.
Sacredness of deer inhabiting the vicinity of Kasuga Shrine is usually explained by the theory that Japanese Shinto faith originated in awe of nature. Elements of nature such as mountains, forests and wildlife were venerated, and hence the ancient Japanese government banned hunting and tree felling in the sacred Kasuga Hills in 841. Thereafter the deer of Nara have been protected strictly for over a millennium. They are so tame that even citizens of Nara sometimes erroneously take them to be domestic. But I would like to show you here their wild aspects too.
