 Most viewed - NARA 奈良県 |
Takamikura Throne where the emperor sat when there was an audience.637 views
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I first heard about Nara's 1300th anniversary a few years ago through this mascot named Sento-kun. A boy priest with deer antlers was so absurd that he has become very popular and recognizable.610 views
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Todaiji Temple531 views
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Horyuji temple Five-Story Pagoda and Kondo Hall, National Treasures 五重塔 金堂456 views
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Japan's largest Buddha statue in Todaiji. National Treasure.388 views
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Ad for Heijo-kyo 1300th anniversary in a train.357 views
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Crawl through a pillar342 views
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Japan's most famous temple, with the world's oldest wooden buildings (over 1,300 years old), is also the country's first World Heritage Site. Also called Ikaruga-dera, the temple is the headquarters of the Shotoku-shu Buddhist Sect. Path to342 views
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Horyuji temple, Nandaimon Gate, National Treasure 南大門（国宝）334 views
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Gate god310 views
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291 views
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Horyuji temple Kondo Main Hall, the world's oldest wooden building at 1,300 years old. National Treasure 金堂289 views
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Sento-kun at JR Nara Station.288 views
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The torch is positioned at the corners. It is totally dark when the torches are lit.281 views
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Map of Horyuji. Large complex of buildings. Only two precincts are open to the public.268 views
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259 views
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Horyuji temple, Yumedono Pavilion, National Treasure. The Nippon Budokan martial arts hall in Tokyo was designed after this pavilion. 夢殿257 views
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254 views
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Inside JR Nara Station. Ceiling looks like a temple.247 views
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Todaiji Temple243 views
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Horyuji Goju-no-To (Five-Story Pagoda) National Treasure. Houses a few bones of Shakyamuni Buddha. 五重塔243 views
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238 views
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Five-Story Pagoda and Kondo Hall, National Treasures 五重塔 金堂237 views
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Nandaimon Gate 南大門233 views
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Horyuji and World Heritage Site (Japan's first) marker227 views
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Great Buddha221 views
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Rear view221 views
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Horyuji temple, Daikōdō Hall, National Treasure 大講堂221 views
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220 views
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Burn baby burn...216 viewsThe fire is put out by 9 pm. Unless you're near the fire, it can get very cold, so dress warmly for this festival.
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A World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most famous temples, Todaiji houses Japan's largest statue of the Buddha, a National Treasure. Temple was established about 1,200 years ago.216 views
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215 views
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The Heijo Palace guard (Ejitai) holds the Gate-closing ceremony at the end of the day at Suzaku Gate.211 views
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Path to Todaiji209 views
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Sai-in Garan West Precinct 西院伽藍206 views
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On the day I went (May 9) during Golden Week, they held the Tempyo Gyoretsu Procession featuring 1,300 people in Tempyo (Tenpyo) Period (729-749) costumes.199 views
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198 views
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Also called Ikaruga-dera, the temple is the headquarters of the Shotoku-shu Buddhist Sect founded by Shotoku Taishi.193 views
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西院伽藍193 views
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Goju-no-To (Five-Story Pagoda), National Treasure, Horyuji. The size of the roof gets smaller toward the top of the structure. 五重塔 仏舎利192 views
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Admission charged. The 1,000 yen ticket gets you into the three major sights.191 views
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Bell tower in East Precinct 東院鐘楼185 views
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183 views
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Aoniyoshi Parade at Heijo-kyo, Nara180 views
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三経院 National Treasure178 views
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178 views
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175 views
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東院鐘楼174 views
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173 views
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Signs to other temples172 views
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Founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku Taishi, Horyuji is one of Japan's most famous temples, with the world's oldest wooden buildings (over 1,300 years old). Japan's first World Heritage Site.171 views
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These pictures were taken in early May so the flower motif might change in later seasons.171 views
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Tempyo Procession, Nara Heijo-kyo171 views
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There were many of them in Tempyo Procession, Nara Heijo-kyo.170 views
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The Heijo Palace guard (Ejitai) holds the Gate-closing ceremony at the end of the day at Suzaku Gate at 5:10 pm. 衛士隊168 views
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Mountain ascetic priests.167 views
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The Daigokuden Hall (Former Imperial Audience Hall) is a magnificent reconstruction. This was where the emperor performed his duties during the Nara Period. 大極殿166 views
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You can enter or see inside the buildings, but no photography is allowed inside.164 views
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161 views
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Kondo Main Hall, National Treasure 金堂157 views
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156 views
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Kondo Main Hall, National Treasure. It has some Chinese design elements. 金堂156 views
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Kondo Main Hall, National Treasure and Horyuji's most important building. However, on January 26, 1949, much of the first floor was destroyed by accidental fire. 金堂155 views
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Chūmon Gate, National Treasure 中門155 views
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Former Imperial Audience Hall.154 views
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The Five-Story pagoda has a thick wooden pillar in the center going from the bottom to the top. Only the top part of the building is in contact with the central pillar and works to counterbalance earthquake swaying.151 views
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Lantern relief151 views
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Even the corridor is a National Treasure. Has about 150 wooden pillars. 西院伽藍の廻廊151 views
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Kondo Main Hall, National Treasure 金堂150 views
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Daikodo Hall and Five-Story Pagoda, National Treasures 五重塔149 views
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Bell tower in East Precinct 東院鐘楼149 views
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148 views
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147 views
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Daikōdō Hall, National Treasure. Houses Buddha statues. 大講堂147 views
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Kondo Main Hall houses 13 Buddha statues. 金堂146 views
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Daiho-zoin Museum 大宝蔵院146 views
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To Daikōdō Hall144 views
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Corridor and Chūmon Gate 西院伽藍の廻廊144 views
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Pretty little princess144 views
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Gate to Yumedono Pavilion142 views
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Chūmon Gate, National Treasure 中門142 views
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On the Sunday before the second Monday of Jan., 33 hectares of a hill called Wakakusa-yama (seen in the distance here) next to Nara Park is burned at night.141 viewsThe burning hill looks more spectacular from afar, but we went up close.
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141 views
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Lantern139 views
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137 views
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Yumedono Pavilion, National Treasure dedicated to Shotoku Taishi. Built on the site of Prince Shotoku's palace. 夢殿137 views
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136 views
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Path to Yumedono Pavilion135 views
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Tōdaimon Gate, National Treasure 東大門134 views
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Hall of Paintings has the Illustrated Biography of Prince Shōtoku (National Treasure), masterpiece 11th century wall painting depicting Shotoku Taishi's life episodes bordering on legend and myth since he was later revered as a Buddha by Horyuji. 133 views
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Daiho-zoin Museum. Admission included in the 1,000 yen ticket. 大宝蔵院132 views
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132 views
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Hall of Paintings. The original painting is preserved at Tokyo National Museum. Official video of the painting: https://youtu.be/sJB-03HQMNA 国宝 聖徳太子絵伝 絵殿、舎利殿132 views
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Deer on a bronze lantern atKasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara.131 views
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130 views
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National Treasure130 views
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine is also noted for many bronze hanging lanterns.130 views
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129 views
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129 views
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Chūmon Gate and Kondo Hall126 views
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126 views
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Path to Yumedono Pavilion126 views
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Ticket gate to Yumedono. Admission included in the 1,000 yen ticket.125 views
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Bamboo torches and bamboo brooms121 viewsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
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Path to Yumedono Pavilion121 views
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My YouTube video of the Aoniyoshi Parade.121 views
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Bon fire burns119 views
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Every evening during March 1-14, Todaiji temple priests carry torches on the balcony of Nigatsu-do Hall. Sparks falling from the torches bring good health. Todaiji temple 二月堂118 views
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Sacred torch arrives at the foot of the hill.116 viewsThe sacred torch is lit at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and brought to Nogami Shrine in a torch procession. It is a small shrine at the foot of the hill.
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Wakakusa-yama hill in January113 viewsWakakusa-yama hill actually has three hills. We see only the first one here.
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The hill behind also starts to burn.113 views
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Fireworks112 views
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The deer have no idea what danger they are in...111 views
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Ceremony at Nogami Shrine110 views
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Other torches are thrown in.110 views
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Only 10 torches are lit. Most photos show a time-lapse shot which lights up the entire hall. Tripod required though, and you need to be a press photographer.109 views
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Dry grass ready to burn...108 views
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Bamboo torches and bamboo brooms107 viewsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
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Bon fire site107 views
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107 views
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The priest runs while spinning the torch on the balcony. Also see the video at YouTube.107 views
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My YouTube video of Sento-kun.107 views
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Deer on the hill106 views
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Bamboo torches104 viewsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire.
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The sacred torch lights the bonfire at around 6 pm.104 viewsYou can also see three lanterns for Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple. This is a joint festival between these three temples and shrine.
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The crowd102 views
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Water bags101 viewsThe third item the volunteer firemen carry are water bags. The water bag is filled with water weighing 20 kg or so. A nozzle is also attached. It is used to extinguish the fire.
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Great Buddha, Todaiji Temple, Nara101 views
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100 views
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99 views
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JR Nara Station99 views
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98 views
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98 views
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My YouTube video of the Tempyo Procession (Part 1).98 views
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine bright vermillion color contrasts with the dark brown tones of nearby Buddhist temples.98 views
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Volunteer firemen97 viewsThe hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.
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The sacred torch is brought.96 views
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The torch walk ends in 20 min. Police and firemen are present.96 views
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Horyuji Station platform95 views
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Large crowd behind us. Tripods are not allowed.95 views
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Stone lanterns leading to Kasuga Taisha Shrine.95 views
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Volunteeer firemen and staff hike up the hills.93 views
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My YouTube video of the Tempyo Procession (Part 2).93 views
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92 views
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The Palace guard completes its job and I caught the last shuttle bus back to Nara Station at 6 pm.91 views
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Volunteer firement gather before going up the hill.90 viewsThe hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen from all over Nara and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.
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89 views
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Horyuji Station, under construction in Mar. 2007 法隆寺駅87 views
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It was 1,300 years ago in 710 when Japan's capital was moved to this place in Nara. Hence, the 1300th anniversary celebration in 2010.85 views
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At the Mahoroba Stage, the Sento-kun show was held to a full house. (Standing room only.)85 views
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I took this Kintetsu Line train at Kyoto Station. You should also bring your passport which will enable you to enter a few Heijo-kyo attractions for free.84 views
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83 views
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But now, anyone can enter this reconstruction for free. There was a long line, but it proceeded quickly and it took only 10-min. or so to get in.83 views
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Azalea and Suzaku Gate.83 views
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A few of the guards were female.82 views
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Todaiji Temple, Nara82 views
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On the balcony of the Former Imperial Audience Hall before entering the building through a side entrance.81 views
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Inside the Former Imperial Audience Hall. In the center was the Emperor's Takamikura Throne.81 views
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Phoenix atop the Takamikura Throne.81 views
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Balcony railing.80 views
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The Aoniyoshi Parade reflects the Tempyo Period when Japan held exchanges with foreign cultures and when Buddhism was introduced to Japan.80 views
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80 views
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79 views
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Bus stop in front of Horyuji Station. Takes you to the temple.78 views
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About the Former Imperial Audience Hall in English.78 views
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Takamikura Throne78 views
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Daigokuden Former Imperial Audience Hall, Heijo-kyo, Nara78 views
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And here's Sento-kun, the official mascot of the 1300th anniversary of the Heijo-kyo Capital. When he was first introduced a few years ago, some people lambasted the design as insulting to priests.78 views
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Pillar post holes which were excavated here. 遺構展示館78 views
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This is the heart of the Heijo Palace site. The focal point is the Daigokuden Hall (Former Imperial Audience Hall) in the distance. 大極殿・前庭77 views
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This thing is so nice that they should get a real emperor's coronation or enthronement here someday.77 views
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Exit of Daigokuden Hall.77 views
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衛士隊の再現（南門広場）77 views
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Koreans77 views
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I arrived at Yamato Saidaiji Station which is within walking distance to the Heijo-kyo site. You can also go to JR Nara Station and ride a free shuttle bus to the Heijo Palace site.76 views
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I went during Golden Week when they had flowers and various events and entertainment. I recommend visiting here on a weekend or holiday period. That's when they have more events and entertainment. The crowds are not unbearable.76 views
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On the railing are decorative jewel balls in different colors. 76 views
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About the Takamikura Throne in English.76 views
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They had a large stage out front on the day I visited and these ribbons attached to the building.76 views
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If there's something you have to see here, it's this building.76 views
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The Heijo-kyo History Museum includes a full-scale replica of the ship used to transport Japanese envoys to and from Tang China during the Nara Period. 平城京歴史館／遣唐使船復原展示76 views
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76 views
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On the railing are decorative jewel balls in different colors. 75 views
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Panel displays explaining about the Former Imperial Audience Hall.75 views
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75 views
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Aoni-yoshi Parade is a great photo op.75 views
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Deer antlers on the head of a boy priest was funny. But he has proven to be a major hit among the masses and critics are silent now. The deer antlers come from the famous deer of Nara Park where they wander around with tourists.75 views
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Sento-kun also danced to his silly-sounding theme song. Also see my video at YouTube.75 views
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75 views
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Flowers in spring.75 views
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75 views
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This is in front of the South Gate.74 views
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Model of the Imperial Domicile.74 views
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It looks like a portable shrine.73 views
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73 views
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Metal fittings on a door.72 views
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At 1 pm in front of the South Gate, the Heijo Palace guards (Ejitai) reenact a guard routine. They appear three times a day. 衛士隊72 views
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Twice a day, the colorful Aoni-yoshi Parade is held for 30 min. in front of the South Gate. 平城遷都1300年祭 あをによしパレー72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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View of Entrance Plaza from the ship. The museum (photography not allowed inside) has animated films and panel displays.72 views
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About the Imperial Domicile.72 views
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Overlapping pillar holes. The hole was reused.72 views
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Gigaku performers wore these large, wooden masks. These gigaku masks depict Chinese women. 伎楽72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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Hello!72 views
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72 views
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This was the center of the capital and symbol of state authority. Only high-ranked aristocrats were allowed to enter the Daikokuden Hall.71 views
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About the Former Imperial Audience Hall in English.71 views
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We could also go outside on the balcony and see a good view.71 views
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Behind the Takamikura Throne.71 views
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The Daigokuden Hall's front gate, called Suzaku Gate, can be seen.71 views
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Life-size model of the Shibi ornament atop the roof's ridge.71 views
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Metal fitting and ornament on balcony railing and decorative jewel ball in blue. 71 views
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Roof edges.71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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Display of a model of the emperor's residence (Imperial Domicile).71 views
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Eastern Palace Garden 東院庭園広場71 views
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71 views
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Path toward the central area. The Daigokuden Imperial Audience Hall is in the distance on the left. This Heijo-kyo area is a National Special Historic Site.70 views
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Roof tile used in the reconstruction.70 views
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On the railing are decorative jewel balls in different colors. 70 views
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70 views
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These two represent the many traders from China, Korea, and India doing business in Heijo-kyo.70 views
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70 views
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Suzaku Gate is the other prominent landmark at the Heijo-kyo site.70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Top of the Takamikura Throne69 views
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Design pattern on the Takamikura Throne panels.69 views
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Layout of the excavated pillar holes.69 views
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Pottery69 views
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Photo studio where you can dress up in Tempyo Period costumes and get your picture taken.69 views
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Straight ahead is the entrance to the Eastern Palace Garden.69 views
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Eastern Palace Garden69 views
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As you can see, the place is quite spread out. Be prepared to do some walking if you want to see things.69 views
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69 views
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Buddhist priests in the Aoniyoshi Parade.68 views
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This Aoniyoshi Parade might be canceled in the event of rain.68 views
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68 views
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About the excavation of Former Imperial Audience Hall in English.67 views
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Paintings on the ceiling.67 views
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