Nara - Deer, and The Big Bronze Buddha

So, after Summer Sonic in Osaka, we were a bit burned out, but still had some time to kill on Monday. We all had the day off, and since we're always eager to see more of Japan, we decided to use the time to see Nara City in Nara Prefecture, the next one down from Osaka. Nara's claims to fame are the largest bronze Buddha statue in all of Japan, the beautiful and enormous temple housing it (Todai-ji), a spectacular set of 3- and 4-story pogodas, and the many tame deer that wander free through the city. The deer can be hand-fed, and have been declared a national treasure...they really love their deer.
We hopped on a train from Osaka monday morning, and 45 minutes later we were in Nara station. From there, we walked south through a covered shopping arcade full of variety, but since I was broke I had to curb my shopping addiction until I found the perfect souvenir.
We turned onto another street to find the pair of famous pogodas rising above an adjascent park, and went to investigate. The beauty of the multi-level temples and the park was uniquely Japanese, and it was made more amazing when we stumbled across our first deer. I've seen plenty in Canada, but only in petting zoos or fleetingly when camping or driving through the country, so you can imagine my surprise to see them lazing in the park, accepting "deer biscuits" and having their pictures taken with tourists. We stopped to feed them, snap a photo or two and even pet them, then we started making our way to Todai-ji and the Big Buddha. Not that you could get away from the deer, they were everywhere; on the sidewalks, standing casually about, like they were waiting for a bus.
We went east to the temple, but as in most tourist areas of Japan, we had to pass a gauntlet of stalls and souvenir shops. This is where my willpower broke down of course. It was worth it though - as we passed one store, Tash pointed out they were selling samurai swords (katana), or at least very good replicas, and that was it for me. I proceeded to buy one, as did Tash, and it was so awesome I didn't even mind lugging it around all day.
After that, finally, the temple. This was exciting for me, as a Buddhist, and as a fan of Japanese culture. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time. The temple itself cost about $5 (500 yen) to get into but I would have gladly paid double. The temple is truly astounding in its size and architecture, as are the immaculate grounds, but nothing prepares you for the moment you walk inside and are confronted with that massive, massive statue. It's a unique and monumental work of art, originally created as a talisman against plague hundreds of years ago. It's accompanied by several other statues, all fine examples of ancient Japanese artistry, but the Buddha is the showstopper. While there, we had our fortunes read (I have the best luck possible and am fated to travel, imagine that), and then we wandered off to find lunch. After being briefly assaulted by a deer who wanted to eat through the box carrying my sword, we managed to find a great udon place.
From there, having pretty much seen what we wanted to see, we wandered the park a bit more, taking in a bunch of other spectacular temples, then began to make our way back to the train station. We planned to take the local train back to Osaka, and had booked a shinkansen from there to Oita.
Our plans for the day almost went off without a hitch, but for one tiny detail. When we had first arrived at Nara station, Christine had put her backpack in a locker, a sensible precaution considering we had been walking all day. Unfortunately, neither Chris nor anyone else remembered this until we were halfway back to Osaka. Needless to say, she had to get off the train, go back and get it, missing her ride home, while the rest of us guiltily went back. She got her pack and made it back later that night though, no worries. She took it well too, and I quote: "Oh well - stupidity costs some people their lives. It only cost me 8000 yen." Ha. Don't worry Chris, if it hadn't been you it probably would have been me.