Japan (25) - Nara

19 July 2010 - In the beginnings of Japanese history, the nation's capital was moved to a new site each time a new emperor came to the throne. In 710, however, the first permanent Japanese capital was set up at Nara. Less than a century onwards it moved to Kyoto, where it remained for more than 1,000 years. What's imported about those 74 years, is that they witnessed the birth of Japan's arts, crafts and literature, as Nara imported everything from religion to art and architecture from China. The premier attraction is the Todaji Temple and its Great Buddha. The Temple is in Nara Park, a beautiful place with grassy lawns, trees and ponds, and more than 1,000 deer, which are considered divine messengers and therefore allowed to roam freely. The deer are however not that divine anymore, because they are quite keen to snatch the "deer cookies" from your hand.