Nara, Japan

Nara has many World Heritage sites, including the largest wooden building in the world, which houses the Daibutsu, the great Buddha.  Note the tiny humans for scale.

As you approach the entrance, there is a peculiar wooden sculpture that evokes the image of a skeleton in a bathing cap.

Rubbing this Buddha image on the body part corresponding to whatever ails you is supposed to effect a cure.

Inside is the great Buddha.  It's hard to convey how huge it is, but it includes 437 tons of bronze and 130 kg of gold.

Here's another angle on the great statue.

To the right is a smaller gold-encrusted figure, and...

... another to the left.

To the left rear is a huge wooden warrior-demon, being observed by Russ...

... and to the right rear, another unpleasant-looking fellow.

In the back is a model of how the area used to look.  The building currently standing is only 2/3 of what it used to be, and formerly there were 5-storey pagodas flanking it.

This is a sample of an engraved tile that was part of the Buddha.

The gates outside the Daibutsu buildings are flanked by two of the largest wooden sculptures in the world.

They are protected behind metal screens.

Behind the Daibutsu building, you can climb steps flanked by mossy lanterns...

... to a hilltop with a nice view of the city.

The roofs have wonderful demons.

Before entering a temple area, you are expected to wash.

The statues are offered many comforts.

The man-made blends into the natural.

Streams of water are everywhere.

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