The Backpack Adventures

10 Things to Do in Nara City Nara ( 奈良市 ) serves as the capital city of Nara Prefecture in Japan . It was the capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 794. Although Nara became the nation's capital at that time, it wasn't officially designated as a city until 1898. During the Heian period, various kanji characters were used to write the name Nara, and there are several theories about its origin. One theory suggests that the name comes from " narasu ," meaning "to flatten," while another theory proposes that it derives from the kanji 楢 , which means "oak.".  For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Nara City : Nara City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Nara City . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is common around the city. Colored versions of this can be seen in Sanjo-dori Street. Sagi Pond 2. Stroll around Sagi Pond ( 鷺池 ) and enjoy the vie...

Kasuga Taisha ( 春日大社 ) or simply Kasuga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Nara City. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. The shrine is located at 160 Kasuganocho, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, Japan . Kasuga Taisha Kasuga Taisha details According to legend, the origins of Kasuga Taisha trace back to 768 CE, when the deity Takemikazuchi , the first kami of Kasuga Taisha , is said to have arrived on a white deer at the summit of Mount Mikasa. This kami is believed to have journeyed from Kashima Jingu Shrine to safeguard the Nara region. The shrine gained significant recognition during the Heian period due to the influence of the Fujiwara family and Empress Shōtoku . Kasuga Taisha - Nara City, Nara Prefecture From 1871 to 1946, Kasuga Shrine was officially classified as one of the Kanpei-taisha ( 官幣大社 ), placing it among the highest-ranking government-supported shrines. The road to Kasuga Taisha Since Kasuga Taisha is in...