Birthplace of Japan

7/30 - Nara, Japan

Nara was the capital of Japan before Kyoto. We went directly to Horyu-ji Temple, which contains "2300 items of historical importance... 190 of them are Important Cultural Assets or National Treasures." I laughed when I first read that in National Geographic, thinking that Nara must be stretching the definition of a "national treasure." 

I was wrong to laugh. The temple is amazingly well preserved. The buildings themselves are the oldest wooden structures on Earth. Looking inside, we were awestruck by their ornate Buddhist artwork. The area was mostly quiet, but every now and then we heard the Bell House ringing, or the wind flapping through the curtains. A friend said it best about Nara: "THIS is why you travel."

Pictured: The Five-Story Pagoda and Main Hall at Horyu-ji Temple.