JAPAN

DAY 4 IN OSAKA- Arashiyama & Nara Todai-ji Day Tour

By renee - November 06, 2018

DAY 4 : Arashiyama & Nara Todai-ji Day Tour
12th Jun 2018 (Tuesday)

Thinking that we wanted a hassle-free tour to Nara, we decided to go ahead with klook tour package. This full day guided tour at the cost of $110 per person take you to Arashiyama where you can walk along the Bamboo Forest. We also got to experience the train ride to sit from Arahiyama => Shijo-Omiya. Not forgetting, free mocha ice cream is also included while waiting for the train. After that, we got to visit Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji (admission fee included) and gotten a chance to feed the deer of Nara Park. For this trip, we opted for buffet lunch which is included in the price of $110. But, you can also exclude lunch if you do not want to. 
We woke up at 7:45am to prepare ourselves while klook bus arrived at 8:30am just outside of Hearton Hotel Nichi Umeda of where we stayed. Do arrive at least 10 minutes to register with the tour guide and make sure that you are not late for this Day Tour. Setting off exactly at 8:30am, we arrived Arashiyama early at around 10:40am (Japan timing). Since we are early, tour guide let us to take photo at Sagatenruji Tsukurimichicho while she purchased the train ticket. 

 Sagatenruji Tsukurimichicho

Arashiyama - Bamboo Forest
This is also one of the attraction that you should not miss. Taking about 10 - 15 minutes walk with excellent photography is so relaxing and unforgettable. After taking photos, we then proceed to have our buffet lunch at around 11:30am (Japan timing)and photos as shown below. 


 Randen train from Arashiyama to Shijo-Omiya


After the buffet, we then walked around the area and claimed our free Mocha ice cream while waiting to board the 13:46pm (Japan timing) train as informed from our tour guide. 
Todai-Ji 
After alighted from the train, we met the tour guide at Shijo-Omiya Station and board the bus to proceed our journey to visit Todai-ji and Nara Park . Todai-ji is one of the Japan's most famous and historically temples. 

The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha(Daibutsu) is one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha.  
As you can see from the picture above, this is an interesting pillar where visitors will try to squeeze through the opening (same size as Daibutsu's nostril) in order to be granted enlightenment in their next life. 
Nara Park
Before we end the day back to hotel, we interacted with some deer in Nara Park which can be found around the area. You can purchase crackers at 150Yen to feed the deer. 

Although the deer of Nara are used to human interaction, I would like to share some gentle reminders. But, not to worry as long as you don't provoke them, they are generally very friendly. I will recommend to purchase the biscuits and feed the deer to take beautiful photos.

Gentle reminders:
1. Do not take out any paper or hold plastic bag on your hand. I personally saw a deer just literally tear apart the plastic bag with food inside. 

2. Do not provoke the deer as they might get violet

3. Feeling scared and surrounded by the deer wanting to get more food from you? You can open your hands to the deer and show them that you have no more crackers for them and the animals will walk away.

4. Deer poop is everywhere, beware and not to step on it. 

Dinner @ Osaka 

We purchased pork bun and Rikuro Ojisan's Baked Cheese Cake back to hotel and enjoy. The pork bun is quite oily and not so impressive but the Cheese Cake is definitely worth the calories. It is so light and fluffy that simply melt in your mouth. The raisins at the bottom of the cheesecake is nice too. I love, love it. Can anyone bring back some for me :) 

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