I visited Todai-ji after Nara Park. But I grouped Todai-Ji with Kohfuku-Ji.

Overview of the map of Kohfuku-Ji, Kohfuku-Ji The Five-Storied Pagoda, Nara Park and Todai-Ji. 

After a light lunch in China Dining Hiten, I continued walking to Kohfuku-Ji. I was confused about if Kohfuku-Ji was a concrete temple. Then I found from the internet. Kohfuku-Ji is a temple areas surrounding Kohfuku-Ji Nan’endō(南円堂), Kohfuku-Ji The Five-Storied Pagoda and Eastern Golden Hall(東金堂）, Chū-Kondō Central Golden Hall(中金堂). And there was also a Hokuen-dō(北円堂) in which I didn’t visit. 

It seems like Kohfuku-Ji Nan’endo is more popular; Google map called Nan’endo The Southern Octagonal Hall. You can make a wish and pray by knocking on the bell at Nan’endo. Please follow instruction on steps on praying and making wishes. 

 If you are spiritual and love history, you can find out more from this website: http://www.kohfukuji.com/english.html#english10

The location of Kohfuku-Ji Nan’endō(南円堂), Kohfuku-Ji The Five-Storied Pagoda and Eastern Golden Hall(東金堂）, Chū-Kondō Central Golden Hall(中金堂) was confusing. In order to make you all understand, when I was facing Chū-Kondō Central Golden Hall(中金堂), Kohfuku-Ji Nan’endō(南円堂) on my left and Kohfuku-Ji The Five-Storied Pagoda and Eastern Golden Hall(東金堂) were on my right. This was what I saw. If I made any mistake on these, kindly drop a comment and correct me. Thank you. :D 

On the way to the Nara Park, we saw an Oden stall by the road side. In a slightly chilling autumn close to winter day, it has been exhilarating to have a steaming hot Oden and a sip on sake…in a garden with soft sunshine and cool breeze. This moment is what worth dying for in your life…

A bowl of steaming hot Oden with 5 items, 3 side dishes and a cup of Sake of your choice~ cost 800yen. There 5 items were an onsen egg, a radish(大根), a tofu, a chikuwa(“bamboo ring”) and a small piece of chicken. I love about Japan as they have created many comfort food for Autumn and Winter. To me, ramen, udon, oden, miso soup are comfort food. They make me feel warm and comforted. Chikuwa looks like a fish sausage which you always find in Oden. 

“Chikuwa (竹輪) is a Japanese jelly-like food product made from ingredients such as fish surimi, salt, sugar, starch, monosodium glutamate and egg white. After mixing them well, they are wrapped around a bamboo or metal stick and steamed or broiled. The word chikuwa ("bamboo ring") comes from the shape when it is sliced.” - Wikipedia 

After having visited Nara Park(please read on the next blog post), I went to Todai-Ji. The scenery on Todai-ji in autumn was breathtaking. It looked so mesmerising that you just want to look at it more. The entry fee was 600 yen. 

There was a pillar in Todai-Ji with a big hole enough to let one person to get through. I happened to see a group of primary school kids were crawling out of that hole.They were having fun and laughing. The hole of the pillar in Todai-Ji is called “Buddha’s Nostril”. I was thinking that those school kids crawling through “The Buddha’s Nostril” for wishing them best of luck for their exams. Then I tried searching internet. It was repeatedly shared over internet that it will bless you with enlightenment in your next life.

How could you miss the Daibutsu Purin in Nara? Slightly different from the typical, this pudding is more liquid. The taste is thick, strong and silky. I like it. The taste is worth for price though the price is slightly high for pudding. The logo is with the icon of Todai-Ji buddha. I bought custard and green tea flavor. 

There were some street artists at the famous Gyoki Statue with a fountain around the time on my way back. If you love street arts, you may find interesting stuff there.

Places Visited:

Kōfuku-ji(興福寺) The Southern Octagonal Hall 

48 Noboriojicho, Nara, 630-8213, Japan

〒630-8213 奈良県奈良市登大路町48

Opens Daily: 9am-5pm 

Chū-Kondō (Central Golden Hall) , Kōfuku-ji 中金堂（under re-constructions)

48 Noboriojicho, Nara, 630-8213, Japan

〒630-8213 奈良県奈良市登大路町48

Tōdai-ji(東大寺)

406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8211, Japan

〒630-8211 奈良県奈良市雑司町406-1

Nara Daibutsu Purin(Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding Honpo Yumekaze-square Branch)

Japan, 〒630-8212 Nara, Kasuganocho, １６

〒630-8212 奈良県奈良市春日野町１６

Opens Daily: 10am - 9pm