Nara Excursion: Treasure, Deer, and a Big Buddha

The first place I visited in Nara was the Kofuku-ji Kokuhokan which was describe as a "treasure hall". They did not allow photos there, but I did see some famous statues of Jizou, Amida, Kannon, Ashura and many more which I really don't know anything about.

Just beyond that was "Nara Deer Park." That might not be the specific name, but there were a ton of deer there, just roaming the park and surrounding areas.
The deer don't mind if you pet them or take their pictures.In fact, there are vendors who sell biscuits to give to the deer. As I was fishing in my pocket for some yen, I swear that the deer sensed that I was about to give them food, so they swarmed me. The lady who sold me the biscuits told me I better look out and keep walking. In this picture, you can see a male deer charging me from behind.

That lady was certainly right, because as my Otousan had told me, the deer can be pretty greedy. I had deer nudging me with their noses, and biting at my pants. One male deer even rammed his horns into the back of me and I thought he might've ripped my jeans. Luckily, the deer had had their horns chopped lately and there was no damage.

Here's me teasing the deer. I was told that if you bow before you give the deer food, they will bow back. I forgot to try it, but later I saw some deer bowing to some other people, so it must be true.

I made several attempts to take a picture with a deer, and this was the best shot I got. I think they realized I was out of food, so they didn't cooperate.

From the left is me, Debbie (a friend from Lehigh), Ryo (my speaking partner), and Mizuki (a friend who goes to school in Nara whom I met on the plane). We are in front of the Tōdai-ji Temple, home of the Dai-Butsu or "Big Buddha." You can see some deer spit on my leg...
Here's the "Big Buddha" himself. His body (sitting down) is 48.91 feet. His head is 17.75 feet. His eye is 3.34 feet (in length, I think). His ear is 8.33 feet. I'm told a person could fit through the "Big Buddha's" nostril.

Here's a second angle with me in the shot to give some perspective. I am trying to duplicate the "Big Buddha's" hand position.

Here's the "Big Buddha's" neighbor. By the looks of him, he is probably there for protection.

Here's a couple faces that were on display.

Not exactly sure what this is.

Remember I said that a person could fit through one of the nostrils of the "Big Buddha?" Well, they had a pillar with a hole in the bottom which was the same size as the "Big Buddha's" nostril. Supposedly, whoever goes through will receive happiness.

This is me trying for my second time. On my first attempt, my technique was wrong and sadly, I was unable to go through. After that, I received some coaching and decided to try again.

I made it through successfully (I really did not want to get stuck) and was greeted by a round of applause from the people watching me. Apparently, they had seen me fail the first time and were really pulling for me, on my second try. I didn't let them down!

Here's another angle of my successful trip through the nostril hole.

Even though I didn't deface anything, I still thought the sign was funny.

Outside the temple was another statue. I think because it was raining they put that poncho on it. It looked pretty scary, so I got a picture mimicking it.

Then we had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Nara. Across from the restaurant was a traditional American KFC. I got my picture with the colonel.