The city of Nara is at least a day trip from Osaka. It is known for at least two things: a 40′ bronze Buddha statue (大仏) and a couple thousand Japanese deer that freely wander. The deer are fed specially made deer crackers sold by all the street vendors and will eagerly eat from your hand.

The Buddha is simply astounding. Two sets of two 15 foot guardian statues stand watch under massive wooden gates on the path to the temple. The first pair menacingly and half cloaked in shadow. They are heralded as some of the best wooden sculptures in the world.

The Buddha statue itself has had a hard life. It’s head fell off a few times, it’s hand melted in a fire, etc. Most of the temples here have had a history of fire – burned by lightening, war, or accident. The temple in which the Buddha is housed is the largest wooden structure in the world and only 2/3 as large as it used to be…before it burned down.

Just as impressive was the sheer number of visitors to the Buddha. School groups seemed to be the majority moving like small schools of fish around the complex. A couple of school girls giggled and high-fived each other when I responded to their “hello” with “konnichiwa”. I am totally a super star.

On the way back to Osaka
in the evening we encountered random break dancing in the subway. Not just a few people; there were about 50 young locals warming up or practicing moves. I guess it is a common thing to do at night there.