With its structure resembling a bird spreading its wings, what is now called the Phoenix Hall was built in 1053. It was then known as the Amida Hall, as it was built to enshrine an image of Amida Buddha, the central object of worship in Pure Land Buddhism. Two bronze phoenix figures are perched on the roof that symbolise renewal and resurrection, and at the beginning of the Edo period (1603–1867) the structure came to be called the Phoenix Hall.

The Great Buddha Hall is the Main Hall (kondō) of Tōdai-ji. Built first in the Nara period it has been destroyed twice by fire in 1180 and again in 1567. The present structure, dating to the Edo period, was built under the direction of the monk Kōkei. The original hall and the one rebuilt in 1195, were both eleven bays wide; the present structure, however, was reduced in size to seven bays because only limited funds were available. Nevertheless, the height and depth of the structure remain the same as those of the original. The Great Buddha Hall is the largest wooden structure in the world.

Feeding time for deers in the nature Nara park

We will visit famous Mochi store close to Naramachi district.

Ancient myths tell us that about 1300 years ago when the national capital was built in Nara, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto came all the way from Kashima Shrine (Ibaraki Prefecture) to Mt. Mikasa, which is considered a holy mountain, to dwell on its summit “Ukigumo-no-mine” for the prosperity of the nation and happiness of the people. Later on, when Tempyo Culture flourished, the political leader Fujiwara-no-Nagate built magnificent buildings on the present site of the shrine as ordained by Empress Shotoku. On November 9, 768, he enshrined several gods here, namely Futsunushi-no-mikoto from Katori Shrine (Chiba Prefecture), and Amenokoyane-no-mikoto and Himegami from Hiraoka Shrine (Osaka Prefecture). This is how Kasuga Taisha began.

Important Note- The remaining Hours will be allotted for the travel time from Nara to Kyoto