🦌 Japan Day 12: Nara Park, Koyasan & Temple Life

📍 Places: Nara Park and Koyasan

😴 Tired Start to the Day

I was completely exhausted today, it was really hard to get up. But I wanted to experience as much as possible, so I pushed myself to join most of the activities. On a trip like this, you regret the things you skip more than the things you try, so I decided to go for it.

💡 Tip: On long trips, plan rest breaks. It's better to skip one thing than be too tired to enjoy the rest.

🦌 Nara Park and the Deer

We took the subway to Nara Park, and the first thing we saw was the deer. They're tame and free to roam wherever they want. Many of them were lying in the shade because of the heat. The funniest part? They crossed the road, and they actually used the crosswalk like people!

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Buy the special deer crackers from park vendors, don't feed them regular food.

• Bow slightly when feeding them, they often bow back.

• Come early to avoid crowds and the worst heat.

• Bring cash, as many small places don't accept cards.

🛕 Todaiji Temple

We walked around Nara Park, saw the buildings, statues, and temples, and visited Todaiji Temple. You have to pay for entry here. Inside was the enormous Buddha statue, one of Japan's national treasures, and the temple itself is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. It was incredible to imagine how many people worked together to build it.

🧳 Travel to Koyasan

After Nara, we headed to Koyasan, a beautiful little temple town in the mountains. Carrying all our luggage while using several trains and buses was heavy work, but worth it.

💡 Tip: Pack light, many buses and trains in Japan don't have much space for big suitcases.

🏯 Staying at Daimyo-In Temple

We checked in at Daimyo-In Temple for the night. This time we were only two or three per room instead of nine like before. I shared with Samantha again. We slept on the thinnest tatami mats of the trip so far. The temple had its own onsen (bath) with separate sections for men and women, and separate toilet areas too. It was fascinating to see how temple life works by staying there ourselves.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Bring a small overnight bag for temple stays, you don't need to carry all your luggage.

• Always shower before entering an onsen, it's an important cultural rule.

• Keep quiet and respectful in temple areas.

🪦 Okunoin Cemetery

Later, we visited Okunoin Cemetery, the largest in Japan. It was filled with ancient trees and thousands of gravestones. The atmosphere was both mystical and peaceful. Many people, including monks and historical figures, chose to be buried here to be close to Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, who is believed to be resting in eternal meditation.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Bow when crossing the first bridge to show respect.

• Wear good shoes, the path is long.

• Visiting later in the day can feel magical, but bring a small flashlight.

🥗 Monk's Vegetarian Dinner

Back at the temple, the monks served us a traditional vegetarian dinner. The meal represented the five tastes: umami, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. The dish that looked like caramel pudding turned out to be tofu in soy sauce, not my favorite. The melon was amazing, though, fruit is rare and expensive in Japan, so it felt extra special. I tasted everything, even though many dishes didn't taste like they looked. Some were very sweet, some bitter, and all the flavors were strong. Even though I'm picky, it was exciting to try real temple food.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Try everything, even if you don't like it all, it's part of the experience.

• Be respectful of the monks' food, even if the taste isn't for you.

• Keep an open mind, monk meals are a unique part of Japanese culture.

🌟 Summary

Overall, it was a tiring but wonderful day. The transport and luggage were tough, but we experienced temple life, learned how monks eat and live, saw and fed the deer at Nara Park, visited Todaiji, and walked through one of the most breathtaking cemeteries I've ever seen. Even though I was exhausted, the day was both educational and unforgettable.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Always bring water and small snacks on hot days.

• Plan extra time for transfers, Japanese trains are precise but connections can be tight.

• Savor the small moments, like a deer bowing or the taste of fresh melon. Those are the memories that stick with you.