Armed with our usual fistful of maps we caught the train to Nara, a trip recommended to us by Tony from Bar Freedom. Nara was the site of the capital of Japan from 710 to 784 and there are many temples and historic monuments, also a famous deer park.

It was quite a way on the train and we arrived round about lunch time. We found a covered mall near the station and chose a small restaurant for a setto lunch which turned out to be one rice and one noodles each, very tasty.

It was sunny but very cold and we set off to walk around to could see. Up the hill we soon came across beautiful Kofukuji Temple founded in the 7th century and, very close by, the amazing Five-Story Pagoda which is a symbol of Nara city.

We had heard lots about the 1200 or more free-roaming deer wandering around Nara Park and had come armed with hazel nuts and Shika Senbei (deer crackers) to feed them. We soon came across our first deer, but they weren't the small, dainty things we were expecting, oh no! They were big and feisty and came after us, nudging and pushing and determined to get food from us. Very funny but also quite scary! It was fun to feed them but we were quite pleased to use up our food and show them empty hands until they got bored.

By now we were passing Nara National Museum, and could see the edge of the Primeval Forest, a sacred area where logging and hunting is banned. We walked some distance along a crowded pathway towards the Todaiji Temple which, although now scaled down to two-thirds its original size, is still the largest wooden structure in the world. Amongst other things it houses an enormous Buddha statue which was very impressive.

We walked back towards the station, passing the Isuien Garden along the way, full of ponds, stepping stones and tea houses. There are many other beautiful temples in Nara but they will have to wait for another day as our train back to Osaka awaits. On the train we amused ourselves on the journey observing lively, uniformed schoolchildren and sleeping elderly ladies.

Back in Osaka it was almost time to set out in search of dinner, but first we visited the Sky Bar on the top floor of the hotel for the most expensive beer we have had in Japan so far. But it was a lovely view!! Afterwards, out in the local malls we came across a lovely little place to eat and went inside. As always it was boiling hot inside, in great contrast to the outside temperature. As we have found in many Japanese places they have baskets near your feet to put in all your outside clobber, bags etc. Very handy. With the help of an English menu we chose various assorted skewers and other interesting dishes. All very delicious and accompanied by cold beer, followed by hot sake, Kampei!!