The Backpack Adventures

Nara Park was not the only place we revisited in Nara City during our 2019 Japan trip . We also got to revisit one of Japan's most famous temples - Todaiji ( 東大寺 ).   Todaiji   ( 東大寺 ) Todaiji Temple History: For those who are not familiar with Todaiji , this temple was constructed in 752 and was the head temple of all Buddhist temples of Japan. However, what makes this temple stand out among the rest is its massive size. Todaiji held the record as the world's largest wooden building even if its 1692 reconstruction was only two-thirds of its original size. Todaiji's giant gate also called Nandaimon or Great Southern Gate greets those who want to visit Todaiji Check out this wooden board with Todaiji 's history. Todaiji 's admission rates as of 2019 Aside from its massive size, Todaiji also houses a giant statue of Buddha also known as Daibutsu . This statue stands 15 meters tall and is one of Japan's largest Buddha statues. Todaiji as seen from the ti

Located in 48 Noboriojicho, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, Kohfukuji  ( 興福寺 ) is a Buddhist temple that serves as the national headquarters of the Hosso school of Buddhism.  Kohfukuji  ( 興福寺 ) Kohfukuji History Kohfukuji or simply Kofukuji was established in 669 by Kagami no Okimi in the hopes that it would please Buddha, which in turn, would help her husband Fujiwara no Kamatari recover from his illness.  The first temple was built in Yamashina, Yamashiro Province which is in present-day Kyoto. Then in 672, the temple was dismantled and moved to  Fujiwara-kyo as it was the first planned Japanese Capital. However, the temple was dismantled again and moved to its present location in 710. It was built on the east side of the then newly established capital Heijo-kyo which is present-day Nara.  Follow the signages going to Kohfukuji Go up the stairs to reach Kofukuji Kofukuji was always associated with the highly influential Fujiwara Clan. Hence, it enjoyed influence over the people a