Nara: Step Into Ancient Japan, Where Deer Roam Free
Nara's establishment as the capital in 710 CE marked a pivotal moment, laying the groundwork for Japan's enduring culture. Modeled after China's Tang dynasty capital, its meticulously planned grid layout reflected a period of centralized government and immense cultural growth. This era was a crucible for early Japanese Buddhist art, literature, and political structures.
The heart of the city is Nara Park, where over a thousand wild deer, believed to be messengers of the gods, roam freely and even bow for treats – you can even buy special crackers!
Within the park stands Todaiji Temple, home to the colossal Great Buddha (Daibutsu). This 15-meter bronze statue is housed inside the Daibutsuden, the world's largest wooden building – a truly awe-inspiring sight that reflects the ambition of 8th-century Japan.
Nearby, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is Nara's celebrated Shinto shrine, known for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns that line its paths and illuminate the grounds, especially during the special festivals in February and August. Founded by the powerful Fujiwara clan, it highlights the intertwining of politics and religion.
Don't miss Kofuku-ji Temple, distinguished by its towering five-story pagoda, a long-standing symbol of Nara and a key institution of the Fujiwara dynasty.
Explore Naramachi, the old merchant district, with its preserved Edo-era buildings, quaint shops and local eateries. It's perfect for sampling kakinoha sushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) and finding unique souvenirs.
Nara offers a unique journey into Japan's ancient soul, providing tangible connections to its formative past amid charming, free-roaming deer. It's an unforgettable destination where history truly comes alive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Time Business News
Albania Visa Rules & Fees for UAE, Indian & Pakistani in 2025
Planning a trip to the beautiful Balkan gem of Albania? Whether you're a UAE resident, Pakistani passport holder, or Indian traveler, understanding the Albania visa requirements e-Visa process, and associated fees is essential. This comprehensive 2025 guide breaks it all down for you, including how to apply for the Albania e visa online, visa-on-arrival options, and processing timelines. Albania offers a unique mix of natural beauty, Mediterranean beaches, rich history, and affordable travel experiences. From the stunning Albanian Riviera to the UNESCO World Heritage sites like Berat and Gjirokastër, it's an emerging destination for tourists worldwide. If you're a UAE resident, your visa requirement for Albania depends on your passport nationality. While some nationalities are visa-exempt, others must apply for an Albania e-Visa in advance. For UAE residents who are not from visa-exempt countries, the following documents are required: Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) UAE residence visa copy (valid for at least 90 days) Personal photo (passport-size) Travel insurance Proof of accommodation in Albania Flight reservation or booking Bank statement (last 3-6 months) Employment letter or proof of income Visa application form (filled online) You can apply for the Albania e Visa through the official portal: 👉 Steps to apply: Create an account on the official e-Visa platform. Select the appropriate visa type (tourism, business, etc.). Upload the required documents. Pay the visa fee online. Wait for email confirmation and download the e-Visa once approved. This process is convenient for residents in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other Emirates who wish to avoid visiting an embassy. The average Albania e visa processing time is between 15 to 30 working days. However, in some cases, especially during peak travel seasons, it might take longer. It is advisable to apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your travel date to avoid delays. The Albania e visa fee depends on your nationality and the type of visa you apply for. For most nationalities, including Indian and Pakistani passport holders: Short-term tourist visa (Type C): €35 – €80 €35 – €80 Multiple entry visa (up to 90 days): May cost more May cost more Service/processing charges: May apply (usually €5 – €15) Always check the current fee during the application process on the official website, as it may change based on consular updates. As of 2025, Albania visa on arrival for UAE residents is not available for most nationalities. Travelers must obtain a Baku Visit Visa unless they qualify for visa-free entry. However, UAE residents who hold valid multiple-entry visas or residency in the US, UK, or Schengen Area may enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. UAE residents with passports from visa-exempt countries (like the US, EU, or Gulf countries) can travel to Albania without a visa. Additionally, valid visa holders of the US/UK/Schengen zone (with used entry stamp) may enter Albania without needing a separate Albanian visa. Pakistani and Indian passport holders must check their eligibility carefully before travel. Pakistani citizens residing in the UAE must apply for an Albania e visa online before traveling. They are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival options. Required documents include: Valid Pakistani passport UAE residence visa UAE Emirates ID Recent photo Travel itinerary Proof of funds (bank statements) Letter from employer (if applicable) Pakistani nationals are advised to apply well in advance due to extended verification times. Indian passport holders are not eligible for visa-on-arrival in Albania. They must obtain an e-Visa before travel. Indian passport (minimum 6 months validity) Confirmed travel itinerary Hotel booking Travel insurance Bank statements (3-6 months) Cover letter explaining purpose of visit Income tax returns (if applicable) Like UAE residents, Indians holding valid Schengen, UK, or US multiple-entry visas (used at least once) may enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days. Once you have submitted your visa application, you can track your Albania visa status online: Visit Log into your account. Go to 'Application Status.' Enter your passport number or application ID . or . Check the current status (Approved / Pending / Rejected) This tool helps you stay updated without the need to contact the embassy. Visa validity is usually 90 days within a 180-day period . is usually within a . Always carry a printed and digital copy of your e-Visa . . Be honest during your visa application—false information may lead to rejection. Entry is always subject to border control approval, even with a valid visa. Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL) Albanian Lek (ALL) Language: Albanian (English widely spoken in tourist areas) Albanian (English widely spoken in tourist areas) Best time to visit: May to September May to September Top destinations: Tirana, Berat, Saranda, Gjirokastër, Shkodër Albania is fast becoming a favorite for travelers from the UAE, India, and Pakistan. With its simplified Georgia Visit Visa convenient online tracking, and flexibility for Schengen/US/UK visa holders, Albania makes travel planning easier than ever. Be sure to gather your documents, apply on time, and check the latest travel advisories before you fly. Safe travels! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
In Switzerland's ‘Watch Valley,' I slow-travelled to tiny villages and towns where time seems to stand still
As I stand on the ramparts of Murten, Switzerland, fairy-tale roofs topped with twisty chimneys draw my gaze toward Lake Murten and the Jura Mountains beyond. I'm among a handful of summer tourists walking the walls of this medieval town of roughly 8,000, which was founded in 1159. From this lofty vantage, Murten 's cobblestone streets, Gothic castle and ancient limestone tower take me back centuries, to a time of witch trials and, even more distant, to the bubonic plague of the 1300s. I can almost hear the town crier shouting to villagers, 'Bring out your dead!' 'That's where we used to burn our witches,' explains city guide Barbara Mueller, indicating the tower, where women suspected of witchcraft were imprisoned while awaiting trial. Those convicted were burned at the stake. Medieval Murten's fairy-tale roofs and whimsical chimneys, and its 1712 clock. She also points out the baroque Berntor (Bern Gate) and clock tower, whose timepiece was built in 1712. The clock is still hand-cranked every 24 hours so it chimes on schedule, says Mueller. Incidentally, she set her phone alarm at the beginning of this media tour, so our group of travel writers wouldn't miss our onward train. I'd expect no less in a country with a global reputation for punctuality. We're in Switzerland's ' Watch Valley ,' a scenic patchwork of forests, fields, jewel-toned lakes and historic towns bordering France between Basel and Geneva on the southeastern flanks of the Jura Mountains. The region has been keeping the country ticking for centuries thanks to horology, the painstaking craft of making clocks and watches. Famous brands, from Omega to Victorinox, are headquartered here, in cities like Delémont and La Chaux-de-Fonds , a UNESCO World Heritage site. La Chaux-de-Fonds is considered the cradle of Swiss watchmaking. Even the townscape is orderly. But for most visitors, the draws are the region's villages and small towns like Murten, where time seems to stand still. These medieval relics are an analog answer to big, busy cities like Zurich and Geneva, where most international visitors go. And Switzerland being, well, Swiss, the efficient public transportation — trains, buses and boats — delivers travellers comfortably to these bygone treasures, with plenty of time en route to appreciate the journey. This is how we slow-travel from Delémont to Neuchâtel and deep into Watch Valley. Trains deeply influenced timekeeping in this mountainous country. Engineers realized the importance of running on time, to avoid collisions and maintain schedules, and precision became a priority. Although operating trains takes meticulous logistics, riding them is a leisurely pleasure, heightened by the anticipation of seeing a granite peak or walled town draw slowly closer. The small medieval town of St. Ursanne was named Best Tourism Village by UN Tourism in 2023. My first glimpse of St. Ursanne is from the train window. The tiny hamlet appears as a storybook cluster of red-shingled homes and businesses circling a church steeple, snug on the banks of the Doubs river. We walk the kilometre from the station to the imposing city gate like wayfarers of yore. During the Middle Ages, some 3,000 pilgrims arrived daily to pray at the tomb of Ursicinus, an Irish monk who came to town in the 7th century. Today, we have the village's three cobblestone streets, and the 900-year-old church's secluded cloister, mostly to ourselves. St. Ursanne was named Best Tourism Village by UN Tourism in 2023, in recognition of its medieval town centre, cultural heritage and commitment to sustainability. But outside of Les Médiévales, a festival held biennially in July, it remains largely under the radar. There are seven or eight tiny hotels in town, including the lovely, new Hôtel de la Cigogne , alongside a few restaurants, a bakery, a butcher shop and, like any good medieval rest stop, a brewery. Rumours of cold riverside beers draw me to a public beach along the Doubs. But the family-run Brasserie Tonnebière is on the far bank, so I settle for refreshment in the clear water of the languorous river. The afternoon stretches on without care as I float under a bright blue sky. Equally as charming is Auvernier, a millennium-old town hemmed in by leafy vineyards on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Like clockwork, a train and bus deliver us to Auvernier's hilltop stop, with time en route to watch the passing fields and church steeples, or daydream about never driving a car again. Château d'Auvernier is one of Switzerland's oldest family-run wineries. The walk to our winery destination, Château d'Auvernier , feels like another step back in time. We pass snapshots of village life that belong on a faded postcard: pastel buildings with brightly painted shutters, public fountains adorned with flowers, a green-eyed cat perched imperiously on a stone fence. One of Switzerland's oldest family-run wineries, Château d'Auvernier was founded in 1603 and is located in a limestone castle. It's best known for a rosé called L'Oeil de Perdrix, made from Pinot Noir grapes, so called because its colour approximates that of a partridge's eye. Cellar master Frédéric Droz tells us about harvesting grapes, fermenting juice and aging wine in French oak barrels. The process can't be rushed, but he often feels like he's fighting the clock. 'We want always to go farther and do more than time allows,' Droz laments. That sentiment rings true on this trip, where each sleepy town unlocks stories from the past that point toward new-to-me destinations worth exploring. A view of Neuchâtel, another watchmaking city, and its 12th-century castle. In Neuchâtel, another watchmaking city, our historic walking tour ends by one of the city's numerous public fountains. Anne-Laure Pollet-Bolon, a guide with Neuchâtel Tourism, uses a key to open a secret compartment under the fountain's flower box. She pulls out a bottle of absinthe to share the famous drink of the Belle Époque, when the city flourished and many of its grand limestone buildings were constructed. While we sip the spirit, once banned in Switzerland for its high alcohol content and links to social disorder, she explains how it was invented in nearby Val-de-Travers (and not, as commonly believed, in France). Inspired to learn more, the next morning I ditch the group and board a train for Môtiers, another ancient village, to reach the local museum, La Maison de L'Absinthe. Outside the train window, views of turquoise Lake Neuchâtel are soon replaced by green forests and fertile fields. As the carriage rolls steadily up the lush valley, I reflect on the transportive power of even a short train ride, to take me from the present to the past. It's perhaps as close as I'll get to time travel, and it feels a bit like magic. Lisa Kadane travelled as a guest of Switzerland Tourism , which did not review or approve this article.
San Francisco Chronicle
29-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Photos show a town praying for marine safety at a seaside festival near Tokyo
YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) — Hundreds of residents gathered at Kurihama beach outside Tokyo over the weekend to pray for marine safety in a summer festival that fuses sacred ritual and seaside spectacle. As a portable shrine called mikoshi, decorated with Shinto ornaments, was lifted onto bearers' shoulders, the audience cheered. The mikoshi had started from Sumiyoshi Shrine and was paraded through neighborhood alleyways. Shrine priests paused to bless offerings and pray for good fortune for people gathered outside their homes. When the procession reached the beach, the priests danced and chanted. The festival reached its climax when the bearers entered the water up to their neck, their sweaty faces splashed with seawater. The procession made a final stop at the nearby ferry terminal, where the mikoshi was carried onto a vessel for prayers for its safe travels. 'Everyone has been looking forward to this day all year,' said Shuji Shimizu, head of the Kurihama Neighborhood Association. 'It's a celebration of our own strength and unity. Please stay safe out there ... and enjoy every moment.' This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. ___ This story corrects dateline to YOKOSUKA, Japan, not TOKYO.
