Nara: A Cultural Guide to Japan's Ancient Capital [Paperback]

John Martin (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804819149
• ISBN-13: 978-0804819145
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,990,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding guide to the ancient monuments of Nara City, August 4, 2003

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nara: A Cultural Guide to Japan's Ancient Capital (Paperback)

Its too bad that "Nara: A Cultural Guide to Japan's Ancient Capital" is out of print, as it is one of the best, most informative guides to the ancient monuments of Japan's first Imperial Capital. Other guides are more eye-popping, and more attention grabbing, but few have this level of detail and quality.

This small, compact guide's sole focus is Nara City, and the Shrines and Temples that make up the majority of its wonders. Offering eight tours, the guide is easy to follow and includes maps and major landmarks to help you find your way. It is best used if read in advance, to better appreciate the ancient treasures that you will be seeing, and to give a more thorough understanding of Buddhist culture during the Nara period.

The real limitation of the guide is that it is ONLY Nara city, and leaves out the other important sites of Nara prefecture, such as Muro-ji, O-Miwa-Jinja or Hase-derra. The guide is also only historic, and does not offer food or housing tips, or event guides.

The eight tours are:

1. Along Noborioji - The old road leading from the train station to Nara Park.

2. Todai-ji - The largest wooden structure in the world, housing to the Great Buddha of Nara.

3. Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Grand Shrine - The most important Shinto shrine in Nara.

4. Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji and Daian-ji - Competing temples of Todai-ji.

5. Heiji Palace, Hokke-ji, Futai-ji, Kombu-in and Hannya-ji - The old Imperial Palace.

6. Shin Yakusi-ji, Gango-ji, Jurin-ji and Byakugo-ji - More Buddhist temples

7. Saidai-ji, Akishino-derra and Joruri-ji - Home to the Big Tea ceremony

8. Horyu-ji, Chugu-ji and Horin-ji - The oldest wooden structure in the world, and an UNESCO world heritage site.