Bye.(奈良) — the first imperial capital of Japan (710-794), 50,000 inhabitants.Kobe(神戸) — 6th city of Japan, 1.5 million, capital of Hyōgo Prefecture, port. Two completely different cities in the Kansai region, both within 1 hour of Osaka. Perfect for a weekend trip.
NARA
Todai-ji (東大寺) — “Great East Temple”
Main attraction. Built 752 AD, the largest wooden building in the world until the 20th century (48 m high, 57 m wide — now 30% smaller than the original after reconstruction).
Daibutsu (大仏)
A 15-foot seated bronze Buddha— Vairocana, Space Buddha. Weighting 452 tons. Cast 752 by 350,000 craftsmen (500 tons of copper from all over the country was used to produce it — economic crisis!). The largest bronze statues of this type in human history.
The Hole of Hope
In one of the 8 stands of the main hall were drilledBuddha’s nostril size hole(0.3 × 0.5 m). Legend: who will pass through him will attain enlightenment in the next life. Children: No problem. Adults: a contest of loudly laughing guests.
Practical
Introduction 800 JPY. Hours 7:30-17:30 (V-X), less winter. No booking needed. Surrounding: 500 hectares of Nara Park.
Holy deer Nara
1200 deerThe noise of walking freely in the park. In Shintoism —Divine Messengers. Legend: God Takemikazuchi flew to Nara on a white deer (768). By 1637, killing a deer was punishable by death.
Shika-senbei
200 JPY/bubble. Salesmen on the main avenues. NOTE: The deer have learned to lie for food — bow down first, then give the crackers. Completely enticing for children.
NOTE: deer can be aggressive when eating. Don't provoke, don't hide crackers in your pocket (they can bite through your clothes). Also: they chase tourist maps (they eat paper).
Other attractions of Nara
Kasuga Taisha
Sinto-temple since 768. Famous3000 stone lanternsalong the alley and1000 hanging brown lanternsIn the hall. Highlighted twice a year (Setsubun in February and Chugen in August) — magically.
Kōfuku-ji
Temple with a five-story pagoda 50 m (1426), city symbol.
Nara-machi
The preserved old town of Edo — wooden cottages, craft shops, cafes. Climate.
KOBE
Kobe Beef — The World’s Most Precious Beef
Kobe beef— bovine animals of the breedTajima(subspecies of Wagyu). Criteria:
- Born and bred in Hyōgo Prefecture
- Castrated bulls (better marbling)
- Slaughter weight: up to 470 kg
- Marbling BMS 6+
- Yield grade A/B
- Meat quality grade 4+
Annual certificationonly 3000-5000 pieces. 100 g of raw Kobe A5 steak in JP: 8000-15,000 JPY. In the USA/Europe x3-5.
Where to Eat — Check Restaurants
- Steakhouse Aoyama(Kobe Sannomiya) — since 1963, 200 g A5 30,000 JPY with vegetables. Booking month
- Cocubi— More intimate, teppanyaki grill ahead of you, 25,000 JPY set
- Steakland Kobe— more available, lunch from 4500 JPY (although from lower hail, not A5)
Yakiniku version
Alternatively:independent grilling on the table.Yakinik Mouriya(Kobe Sannomiya) — Legend. 20,000-40 000 JPY person.
Kobe — Other attractions
Kobe Port Tower
108 m, red hyperboloid (1963 — the world's first such construction). Panorama of the port and the city. Introduction 1000 JPY.
Mount Rokkō
931 m, view at night on Kobe — one of the “3 most famous night views of Japan”. LineRokkō Cable Car(600 JPY). In winter: skiing (nearest to Osaka).
Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
150-year-old Chinese district. Street food:cobupan(pig rolls),xiao long baoPeking duck.
Kobe Beef Museum
Museum-gallery history + tasting. Free entry, free tasting.
Nunobiki Herb Garden
Accessed by cable car Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway (1800 JPY with park). Herbal gardens with 200 species, Kobe panorama.
Arima Onsen (30 min from Kobe)
One of3 ‘Great Onsen’Japan (together with Kusatsu and Gero). A 1300-year-old story. Two types of water:Kinsen(gold, iron) andGinsen(silver, carbonate). Directions: Kobe subway + Rokkō cable car — 30 min.
- Kin no Yu(Golden Bath): 800 JPY, Town Hall
- Gin no Yu(Silver Bath): 700 JPY
- Ryokan Kōsenkaku Yoshii: from 40,000 JPY/person with 2 dinners
Practical information
- Osaka → Nara: JR Yamatoji Line 45 min, 810 JPY
- Osaka → Kobe: JR Kobe Line 30 min, 420 JPY
- Nara → Kobe: 1h 30min with change in Osaka
- Kansai Thru Pass: 4400 JPY/2 days — includes all private lines in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama)
- 2 days is enough: Day 1 — Later. Day 2 — Kobe + Arima evening