This post was written in 2008. Some information may be out of date.
Todaiji
I was dying to know what the Great Buddha inside would look like.
The walk in…
The Nio guardian at the entrance
It’s one of those giant guardian figures I’d seen so often in manga. In person, the sheer power of it is no joke. Admission is 500 yen, but it wasn’t a waste at all.
The Nio guardian on the opposite side
He looks like he could leap right out at you.
The Great Buddha
It’s enormous. I think it’s bigger than the Great Buddha in Kamakura.
The bodhisattva next to the Great Buddha
The bodhisattva is ridiculously big too, but next to the Great Buddha it doesn’t stand a chance.
One of the Four Heavenly Kings
A sculpture this big and this lifelike… it makes you wonder who ever thought of making something like this.
The Great Buddha, just as massive from behind
The Heavenly King on the opposite side
The bodhisattva on the opposite side
The Great Buddha once more
Binzuru, with a strange expression, sitting outside
Nara isn’t a very big town and I can’t say there’s a lot to see, but the Great Buddha alone makes it worth the trip from far away. No girls like Haruka Ayase anywhere, though…
Curry udon
I just didn’t have the time, so I ordered udon at a restaurant in front of the temple. These noodles with zero bite… sob. Next time I’ll do more research and come better prepared. Not that I think there’ll be a next time…