Founded in 710 AD, Nara was the first capital of Japan and the far eastern destination of the Silk Road. Most Nara’s temples and shrines are located in a huge park, which makes walks between them really pleasurable.

really pleasurable.

The temple’s Phoenix Hall, which looks into the country’s most famous reflecting pond, houses a marvelous statue of Amida Buddha made by Jocho, the most famous sculptor of Buddhist images, who liv lived during the late Heian Period (XIth century).

lived during the late Heian Period (XIth century).

The grandest of Japan’s 12 remaining feudal castles. For many people its military architecture, ameliorated by graceful aesthetic lines, qualifies Himeji-jo as the ultimate samurai castle. Akira K Kurosawa used the castle’s stunning exterior for his film “Ran”.

Kurosawa used the castle’s stunning exterior for his film “Ran”.

The Main Tower was used by the feudal lords in the event of a siege or during drills.

Koko-en, located just west of Himeji castle, is composed of nine separate gardens, making use of the exact former site of where the Lord’s West Residence and other samurai houses once existed. The g gardens show the essence of the Edo period. They are surrounded by mud walls with roof tiles. These walls are the replicas of the original walls that were located there. I was lucky: Koko-en housed a nice Ikebana exhibit at the time of my visit. Too bad I came too late: did not have time to see the tea ceremony garden.

gardens show the essence of the Edo period. They are surrounded by mud walls with roof tiles. These walls are the replicas of the original walls that were located there. I was lucky: Koko-en housed a nice Ikebana exhibit at the time of my visit. Too bad I came too late: did not have time to see the tea ceremony garden.