Nara (奈良市)

For 73 years, minus 5 in the middle, it got to be Japan's first permanent capital. Before that they went through capitals like they went through Emperors.

But during these years, Nara managed to get itself two rather impressive constructions. One 400 t, 15 m bronze Buddha, and the largest wooden building on the planet to house him in. Behind the statue, one of the wooden pillars has a hole the same size as Buddha's nostril. Popular belief has it that if you can squeeze through, you are ensured of enlightenment. How this works considering that your average Buddha statue is not exactly a weight loss advisor... But at least there were plenty of enlightened Japanese school kids passing through during my visit. Not wanting to squeeze myself between the school kids, I'm just going to assume that I fit. Which if this is true, I should be enlightened enough to know.

And Nara is, like Kyoto, absolutely covered in Temples. You didn't even have to dodge the other tourists anymore, there were so many different temples. At least, so long as you didn't explicitly follow someone holding a stuffed animal on a stick. Mind you, it's Monday, it could get quite a bit busier on the weekend.

And the slightly more modern parts of Nara get to be covered in yet more Cherry Blossoms, and deer's. Due to local legend, they are regarded as a national treasures, and are very tame, eating cookies out of the hands of passing visitors. Washinoko desperately wanted to ask one for a ride but somehow become slightly unsure at the possibility of being confused for a chewing toy.