Getting Away in Japan

A trip to the capital doesn’t have to mean Tokyo’s bright lights and bustle. Nara, in south-central Japan, was established as the nation’s first permanent capital in 710 CE and, as such, remains an area of great historical interest. But Nara is not just a spot for history buffs as, thanks to it retaining much of its old-world charm, it is also an area of outstanding beauty. With temples, shrines, delicious restaurants, a giant Buddha, and wild deer roaming the grounds, Nara is a great place for a day trip and perhaps even longer. Todaiji Reflecting its former capital status, Nara has temples of national importance galore, but if you were to see just one on your visit, it would have to be Todaiji. Constructed in 752 as the head temple of all of Japan’s provincial Buddhist temples, until recently, its main hall, Daibutsuden, held the world record as the largest wooden building despite its 1692 reconstruction being only two-thirds of its original size. It is staggering to imagine its original state, but it has to be so large to accommodate one of Japan’s largest bronze Daibutsu [giant Buddha] statues. Standing – well, sitting – at 15 meters tall and…